‘Falling from the sky': Investigation launched into suspected Melbourne native bird poisoning

Australia Broadcast Center

2 days ago

A Melbourne wildlife carer estimates 400 native corellas and pigeons may have died from suspected poisoning in Melbourne's south-east over the weekend.
Warning: This story contains images some readers may find distressing.
Michele Phillips, who has worked as a wildlife carer for 35 years and runs the South Oakleigh Wildlife Shelter, was called to the Springvale South Shopping Centre in Melbourne's south-east after reports of many deceased birds in the area.
"There was a house over the road that had its roof covered in dead and dying birds. People in different houses came out, they all had dead or dying birds."
Ms Phillips said cleaners at the centre had been clearing dead birds from the area since Friday night and said "no doubt" poisoning was to blame.
"They bleed from their nose and eyes [after poisoning] … This was exactly the same," she said.
"Corellas, they mate for life — so it was horrible because you were seeing their partners next to them knocking them around, trying to [understand] what was happening."
Corellas are one of the native bird species protected under the Victorian Wildlife Act 1975.
The maximum penalty for hunting, taking or destroying protected wildlife in Victoria is $10,175.50 and six-months' prison, plus $1017.55 for every head of wildlife involved.
Speaking on Radio National Breakfast, Wildlife Victoria CEO Lisa Palma said multiple volunteers helped collect the bodies of dead birds after receiving "multiple emergency calls" about birds behaving "abnormally".
Ms Palma said other native bird species including the crested pigeons, ravens, sulphur-crested cockatoos and silver gulls were also found among the dead birds.
The birds were sent to Healesville Sanctuary for toxicology testing.
Healesville Sanctuary said the Conservation Regulator at the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action is leading the investigation.
A spokesperson for the Conservation Regulator confirmed an investigation "into the cause of death of a large number of corellas" is underway.
According to the department, anyone who sees five or more sick or dead wild birds or wildlife should report it online or on 136 186.
Any sightings of sick or dead penguins or pelicans, birds of prey, black swans and marine mammals should also be reported.
It is unclear what caused the deaths of these birds.
Earlier this year, an investigation was launched by Agriculture Victoria and the Conservation Regulator after dozens of corellas were found dead in the Wimmera.
The Horsham Rural City Council suspected poisoning as the cause of death after seeds were found scattered in the area.
After the Springvale South incident, Ms Palma warned people against feeding native birds.
"We did have reports from members of the public that someone was leaving bird seeds out in the area, and we understand the department has collected some of that bird seeds as well for testing," she said.
Ms Phillips said she sees people feeding birds "all the time".
"People were dropping off seeds and rice and throwing it on the ground, I ended up ringing the council and asked them to clean the area up," she said.
"[The birds] know how to survive. People feeding wild birds, it encourages disease and it encourages the birds to be dependent on that food."
In a statement, Greater Dandenong City Council executive director Community Strengthening, Peta Gillies said the discovery of deceased birds was "distressing" for the community and said the council is supporting the relevant organisations in the investigation.
In Victoria, bird feeding laws differ in each local government area.
According to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, 14 of the 31 local councils in Greater Melbourne have laws regarding feeding wild birds.