Forty-three ring-necked parakeets have been found dead in Priory Gardens, Orpington, over a three-week period amid allegations that groups of youths are using catapults to attack the birds.
Rae Gellel, director of the Greenwich Wildlife Network, said five of the birds were discovered on Monday alone. She said the parakeets were being targeted at night while roosting in trees.
According to the wildlife charity, the attackers use powerful lights to stun the birds before firing catapults at them, a tactic known as “lamping”.
Ms Gellel said the charity had recovered 43 dead birds from the south-east London park during the three-week period. Some of the attacks are believed to have involved groups of young people, although responsibility for the deaths has not been established.
Bromley Council said the killing and maiming of birds continued to be a concern and that it was assisting the Metropolitan Police with an investigation.
The Metropolitan Police has listed reducing anti-social behaviour and crimes against wildlife in Orpington as a local priority, with particular attention being paid to the use of catapults. Officers have said they will use both uniformed and plain-clothes patrols in known hotspots at times when offences are most likely to occur.
Priory Gardens, which includes ornamental gardens, a lake and a children’s play area, has been the focus of repeated concerns about attacks on wildlife in recent years.
