Dozens of parakeets have been found dead in a London park, with a wildlife charity alleging that youths are using catapults and a technique called "lamping" to kill them. In the past three weeks, 43 ring-necked parakeets were discovered in Priory Gardens in Orpington, southeast London.
The perpetrators reportedly wait for the birds to roost in trees after dark, then shine bright lights at them before firing projectiles from catapults. Campaigners have previously found ball bearings, nuts, and bolts in the park, and some recovered birds have shown severe injuries, including deep circular wounds and fractures consistent with being struck by ammunition.
One parakeet was found alive but with a large chest wound, and died shortly after rescue efforts. Rae Gellel, director and founder of Greenwich Wildlife Network, stated that attacks on animals in Priory Gardens have been ongoing since 2020. "We have seen them horrifically maimed - blinded, left with severe fractures, their beaks shattered so badly they can no longer feed, and dependent young left orphaned after their parents have been killed," Gellel said.
Greenwich Wildlife Network suggests that some individuals may be motivated by a desire to record and share footage of the killings on social media platforms like TikTok, turning animal cruelty into content. "It turns cruelty into content and something to show off to others," Gellel explained.
While the recent spate of parakeet deaths is staggering, the charity emphasizes that these attacks are not limited to one species. Over the years, ducks, geese, pigeons, gulls, squirrels, and foxes have also reportedly been targeted in the park. The repeated incidents have also had an emotional impact on local residents who frequent Priory Gardens.
Greenwich Wildlife Network is advocating for stricter regulations on the sale of catapults to individuals under 18 and for increased police prioritization of wildlife crime. The charity has organized protests and demonstrations against catapult cruelty since at least 2024, including a march in Orpington on March 30.
A separate parliamentary petition has been created, calling for parents to be held legally responsible for wildlife crimes committed by their children. The petition has garnered nearly 2,000 signatures and remains open until January 27, 2027. Gareth Bacon, the Conservative MP for Orpington, has previously supported calls for catapult sales to be licensed. A Bromley Council spokesperson acknowledged the ongoing concern regarding the maiming or killing of birds in the park.