Hundreds of corellas dead in suspected mass poisoning in Newcastle

Scores of corellas were falling from trees ‘with blood coming out of their nostrils’ in Newcastle on Monday after a suspected mass poisoning event.

Hundreds of corellas have been found dead or dying around Newcastle in a suspected mass poisoning event that’s devastating the local community.

The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is investigating and collecting samples from the Newcastle, Carrington and Hamilton areas after disoriented and distressed birds were found falling from trees on Monday.

Birds were found in parks, shopping centres, on ovals and in frontyards, with many needing to be euthanised, and there are concerns that more birds may be impacted in the coming days.

A volunteer from local animal rescue group Hunter Wildlife Rescue, said “We are very concerned that it is a suspected, deliberate poisoning when we get them in these sorts of numbers.”

Hundreds of corellas are dead in Newcastle, NSW, after a suspected mass poisoning event. Picture: Facebook/Hunter Wildlife Rescue

Local vet practice Hamilton Veterinary Clinic euthanised over 60 birds with one worker telling the Newcastle Herald, “I have never seen anything like this in the 13 years I have been here.”

“They are in agony. They spread their wings and look at you as if to say help me. It’s absolutely horrible.”

“They’re falling out of trees and they’re extremely weak,” the head vet at WIRES told Yahoo News, “The majority have either blood or mucus coming out of their nostrils or in their droppings. They’re coming in at quite a late stage of distress.”

In a statement, the EPA said, “EPA officers are now investigating multiple sites and collecting samples for further testing.

“Testing will include ruling out bird flu and inspecting impacted locations for evidence of potential pesticide misuse.

“We’re also contacting several vets across the Newcastle area to confirm the numbers of sick and dead birds and where exactly they have been found.”

Distressed members of the community took to Facebook to express their concern, with one person writing, “This is absolutely disgusting!” while another said, “What sick human would do this.”

A third person commented, “Everyone’s up in arms about a stupid girl picking up a wombat… where are our priorities?”