Gold Coast magpies ‘murder’: Search for magpie murderer at Crinum Crescent in Southport

Wildlife rescue volunteers say they were called out twice daily for weeks to help sick and dying magpies on a single Southport street, as shock footage comes to light. WATCH THE VIDEO

• First look: Ground to break on giant $400m supertower
• Skye Wheatley’s frantic bid to finish Coast dream home

WILDLIFE rescue volunteers say they were called out twice daily for weeks to help sick and dying magpies on a single Southport street.

Wildcard spokeswoman Tara Hunter said the recent spate of magpie deaths at Crinum Crescent shocked volunteers at the time.

Residents believe dozens of the birds have died due to poisoning. The department of environment and science is believed to be investigating the matter.

“This case has been incredibly concerning, particularly because all the birds were found along the one street,” Ms Hunter said.

“We do see deaths occur naturally at times but this situation was different, our hotline was being called twice a day all to pick up birds in the same street.

“We had dozens after a two-week period.

“Half didn't make it, others had to be euthanised, all in such a small area.”

Ms Hunter said the cause could possibly be a contamination of some type or chemical spill but she was particularly concerned about intentional poisoning.

“It is very sad because unfortunately the native wildlife in Australia is getting battered from all sides,” Ms Hunter said.

“With deforestation, climate change, road building, we are losing more and more every year. We don't need people killing birds on purpose.”

New footage of the sick birds has also surfaced since the issue was raised in the Bulletin this week.

DRAMATIC DROP IN EMPLOYMENT ON THE GOLD COAST

Southport locals rushed a number of sick magpies found in their suburb.

In one particularly video a bird can be seen fitting on the bottom of a cage floor.

For resident Tony Hopkins, the issue became so concerning he put together a newsletter titled ‘Catch a killer: Is your neighbour a murderer?’ to find more information on the deaths.

“We moved to this area six months ago,” Mr Hopkins told the Bulletin earlier in the week. “There were families and families of magpies here and neighbours say they have been here for decades.

“They are extremely friendly and would play in your backyard and come up to greet you.

“Then one day, all of a sudden, we were finding dead magpies in everyone’s yards.

On Thursday, Mr Hopkins said residents were still hoping and searching for answers.

“We just need someone to come forward,” he said.

‘DISGUSTING’: WILD READER THEORIES IN BIZARRE MAGPIE MURDER HUNT

SOUTHPORT’S Crinum Crescent was once home to a bustling, tame and noisy parliament of magpies, now the street is quiet.

Residents say more than two dozen birds have been found dead in the past two months and local sleuths are on a crusade to find out how.

Bulletin readers on Facebook weighed in.

“Disgusting. Find them and lock up. What sort of monster hurts defenceless birds. Karma incoming,” wrote Ellie Kirby.

Ricky Bamboo cheekily added: “Carlton supporter for sure.”

Desleigh Bycroft wrote: “They can be the friendliest birds..be nice to them..research what to feed them and throw them some food..they will remember you as a nice person and that will be for generations.”

Nigel Mohr added: “Only feral maggots would do this, magpies forever.”

READ ALL THE COMMENTS HERE

For Tony Hopkins the issue has become one of such concern he put together a newsletter titled ‘Catch a killer: Is your neighbour a murderer?’ to find more information on their deaths.

The flock of magpies that previously lived in the Southport area has shrunk rapidly according to locals.

The newsletter labels the culprit an “uneducated idiot” for killing the street’s “super friendly larrikins”.

“We moved to this area six months ago,” Mr Hopkins told the Bulletin. “There were families and families of magpies here and neighbours say they have been here for decades.

“They are extremely friendly and would play in your backyard and come up to greet you.

“Then one day, all of a sudden, we were finding dead magpies in everyone’s yards.

“They were on the driveway, across the road. We were able to nurse back a few but no one knew what was wrong with them.”

The newsletter sent to residents in Southport following the death of the flock of magpies.

Some of the local Southport magpies that passed in recent weeks.

FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: JUST $5 A MONTH FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS

Mr Hopkins and a group of residents were concerned the birds were being poisoned and called the RSPCA. They say they are investigating.

“It wasn’t a natural thing. We took them to Currumbin (Wildlife) Sanctuary and they were also at a loss to work out what happened to them.

“We have just four or five of them left. The deaths all happened in magpie season so people assume the birds attack you then, but this was a friendly group.”

Mr Hopkins said the newsletter was distributed in the hopes of playing on the culprit’s guilty conscience or prompting new leads.

Killing magpies in Queensland can incur a maximum penalty of $10,000 per bird or

$100,000, or a one-year prison term for killing 10 or more birds.

Follow @kpayneoz

Originally published as Gold Coast magpies ‘murder’: Search for magpie murderer at Crinum Crescent in Southport