Man fined more than $15,000 for shooting dead 19 lorikeets

Brendon Edwards shot and killed the protected native birds on his Red Hill property, south of Melbourne, on April 24, 2018. Photo / Animal Relocation & Education / Facebook

An Australian man who illegally shot dead 19 rainbow lorikeets before abusing wildlife officers has received a hefty fine of more than $15,000.

Victoria man Brendon Edwards shot and killed the protective birds on his property, claiming the birds were eating his apples.

When wildlife officers and Victoria Police arrived at the property, they saw him carrying a loaded 12-gauge Miroku MK-70 shotgun.

While on the property, Edwards' wife suddenly closed the back of their ute and made an attempt to drive away.

After conducting a search of the ute, authorities were horrified to discover 19 dead lorikeets in the back.

Edwards then let rip at the officers, abusing them and calling them a "p**s-weak bunch of c***s and bludgers", according to the Herald Sun.

The man also threatened to fight the officers, telling them to "take it to the street".

At the time of the shooting, Edwards did not hold an authority to control wildlife, making his actions illegal.

The man has since had his gun license cancelled and was fined more than $15,000 for the killings.

Wildlife officer Haley Mason hailed the outcome.

"This is a great result and highlights to the public that killing native wildlife is a serious offence," she said.

Locals expressed their outrage and commended the wildlife officers for their great work.

"Should also have been given six months behind bars with hard labour," one wrote.

"Penalty isn't sufficient. Killing birds that would eat out of your hand. Send the bastard to jail," another wrote.

It is illegal to destroy or interfere with wildlife in Victoria.