More native birds found dead 8km from Springvale South poison site
More dead native birds have been discovered at a second location in southeast Melbourne, sparking calls for a biosecurity alert amid ongoing investigations into their cause of death.
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More dead birds have been found 8km away from the suspected poisoning of more than 150 corellas in Melbourne’s southeast 10 days ago.
The bird carcasses were discovered on Thursday at Norine Cox Reserve in Dandenong as investigations continue into the cause of mass death of native birds on July 12 or 13 at the
Springvale South shopping centre.
The latest grisly find includes one long-billed corella and non-native pigeons, which have been collected for examination.
Bird flu has been ruled out as a cause of death of the Springvale South birds after testing by Agriculture Victoria.
The potential cause of the deaths is progressing with toxin testing now under way.
The update from the Conservation Regulator comes as Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell called for a joint public health and biosecurity alert.
Ms Purcell wrote to three state ministers – health, agriculture and environment – questioning why no formal community alert had been issued by any department.
“My office has spoken directly with a concerned first responder who is seeking urgent clarity about what toxins they may have been exposed to during the early volunteer clean-up efforts,’’
she said.
The apparent death of a native nankeen kestrel also showed how the danger could spread, Ms Purcell said.
The dead birds were mostly little corellas as well as long-billed corellas, crested pigeons and non-native pigeons.
Rotting birds were retrieved from the shopping centre roof and across the playground at the Athol Road Primary School.
Michele Phillips from South Oakleigh Wildlife Shelter told the Herald Sun that birds were just falling from the sky.
Seven surviving little corellas are being cared for at Healesville Sanctuary and are expected to be released soon.
At the Springvale South shopping centre on Athol Rd, signs have been erected asking the public not to feed the birds.
Corellas are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975, and significant penalties, including imprisonment, apply.
A statement from a Conservation Regulator spokesperson called on the community to come forward with any information to help track down those responsible.
“We would remind the community to please avoid feeding wild birds because this can potentially promote spread of disease,” the statement said.
Originally published as More native birds found dead 8km from Springvale South poison site
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