Latest news with #Corellas
Perth Now
5 days ago
- Perth Now
‘Doomsday-like scenes' as birds drop dead
More than 200 birds, including native corellas, were found dead outside a shopping centre in Melbourne's south over the weekend in what wildlife rescuers are calling a mass poisoning event. 'Had a traumatic day rescuing birds that had been poisoned,' Michelle Phillips from South Oakleigh Wildlife Shelter said. Witnesses described a confronting and distressing scene, with birds falling to the ground outside Springvale South shopping centre and a nearby school playground. 'They literally fell from the sky,' Ms Phillips said. 'Birds were dead or injured on people's houses, nearby parks, under cars.' Witnesses said more than 200 birds 'fell from the sky'. South Oakleigh Wildlife Shelter. Credit: Supplied It's believed the birds ate poisoned feed. South Oakleigh Wildlife Shelter Credit: Supplied It's believed the birds – mostly corellas and some pigeons – consumed poisoned feed on Friday, with the deaths continuing over the weekend. By Monday, the clean-up was still ongoing. 'There were over 200 dead, eight alive now at Healesville Sanctuary with autopsies happening,' Ms Phillips said. 'This is one reason that people should not feed wild birds, there is plenty natural food around.' Eight surviving birds are being treated at Healesville Sanctuary. South Oakleigh Wildlife Shelter. Credit: Supplied The incident has drawn strong condemnation from the Animal Justice Party and calls for urgent legislative reform. 'This is yet another example of sickening animal cruelty that continues to happen in Victoria,' Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell said. 'I am disturbed to think that someone may have deliberately caused these doomsday-like scenes in suburban Melbourne where birds are literally falling from the sky. 'I hope that authorities throw every resource at finding those responsible for this heinous crime. 'The Allan Labor government must honour their commitment to modernise our state's archaic wildlife protection laws to deter this abhorrent behaviour and ensure serious penalties can be applied when perpetrators are caught.' Corellas are native to Australia and protected under Victorian wildlife laws.
ABC News
30-04-2025
- ABC News
Dozens of dead corellas found on Wimmera riverfront at Horsham
An investigation has been launched after dozens of corellas were found dead along the banks of a western Victorian river. 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. ( 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. ( 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. ABC Mildura Swan Hill — local news in your inbox Get our local newsletter, delivered free each Wednesday Your information is being handled in accordance with the Email address Subscribe
