Eagle death toll hits 89: Investigators test for poison at Violet Town
Another 13 Wedge-tailed eagles have been found dead on a Violet Town farm, bringing the death toll to 89.
THE death toll from the suspected poisoning of Wedge-tailed eagles on a property north of Violet Town has risen to 89, following the discovery of 13 more carcasses.
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning officers are investigating if the deaths are deliberate, including the possible use of poison.
A warrant was issued early last week, allowing Victoria Police and DELWP investigators to search the sheep and cattle property’s home and buildings for further evidence.
Samples of the dead eagles have been sent off for testing.
The deaths follow last year’s discovery of the carcasses of more than 400 Wedge-tailed eagles on an East Gippsland property at Tubbut, which were poisoned during the previous two-and-a-half years.
The suspected poison in the Gippsland case was the now banned sheep dip Luci-Jet.
Luci-jet is highly toxic to birds, with CSIRO research from 1985 stating “seven species of birds in Australia are highly sensitive to the organophosphorous insecticide”, including Wedge-tailed eagles.
Poisoned birds lose their ability to stand or fly, before convulsing and dying.
Native birds are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975 and the penalty for deliberately injuring or killing wildlife ranges from $8,261 to $39,652 and/or six to 24 months’ imprisonment.
If you have any information regarding this incident contact DELWP on 136 186 or Crime Stoppers Victoria: 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au/report-a-crime
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