Dozens of dead corellas found on Wimmera riverfront at Horsham
Warning: This story contains images some readers may find distressing.
More than 50 dead birds have been collected from along the Wimmera River in Horsham, three-and-a-half hours north-west of Melbourne.
Agriculture Victoria said an investigation into the birds' death started on Tuesday.
Corellas are a type of white cockatoo native to Australia that are commonly found near rivers and creeks.
They live for an average of 20 years in the wild.
An Agriculture Victoria spokesperson said the Conservation Regulator was assisting the investigation.
Seed was found scattered near where the dead birds were found.
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ABC News: Tamara Clark
)
'Dead cockies everywhere'
The investigation began after the Horsham Rural City Council notified the Victorian environment department on Tuesday.
A spokesperson for the council said it was a suspected illegal poisoning incident.
Horsham Riverside Caravan Park co-owner Glenn Coffey said council staff had been collecting seed found scattered in the area.
Dozens of corellas are dead and dying along the Wimmera riverfront.
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ABC News: Tamara Clark
)
"I noticed there were dead cockies everywhere," Mr Coffey said.
"It's pretty sad especially when I have families here in the park.
"
[I'm] disappointed to think someone could stoop this low to poison.
"
Mr Coffey said dogs, ducks and water fowl could be found in the area near where the birds' bodies were collected.
Glenn Coffey says holiday makers were upset by the sight of corellas dying at the caravan park.
(
ABC News: Tamara Clark
)
Horsham Rural City Council has advised the public to avoid the riverfront area while the investigation is underway.
The riverfront has not been blocked off from public use.
"We will provide updates as more information becomes available," the council wrote on social media.
Numerous birds could be seen floating, dead, in the river this week.
(
ABC News: Tamara Clark
)
Anyone who finds sick or dead birds has been advised not to touch them and instead report clusters of five or more to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.
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