A warning this story contains pictures some viewers may find distressing. The New South Wales environment protection authority is investigating a suspected mass poisoning of birds in Newcastle in the Hunter Valley region. More than 200 corellas have died this week with many more sick or dying.
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00Quiet, slow and shaking, these little karellas are being treated for possible poisoning.
00:12The normally noisy native birds are among hundreds of sick karellas found across Newcastle
00:19over the past two days.
00:21More than 200 have died.
00:24When we have something of this scale, so many, dozens and dozens of animals in a very short
00:29period of time, where we are very suspicious that it has been intentional.
00:37Local vets are taking on the sick birds, trying to save as many as they can.
00:43Because we don't know what's causing this illness and sickness, we can't treat specifically.
00:48So a lot of supportive care, we give them vitamins, fluids, keep them warm, sheltered.
00:55The Environment Protection Authority is appealing to the public for help.
00:59It's testing samples in a bid to rule out bird flu and is inspecting sites for possible
01:05misuse of pesticides.
01:07It would be shocking and terrible and there are huge fines in place.
01:12Being animal lovers, it's very challenging to see birds, sick animals that we're trying
01:18to help and they're dying at our arms.
01:21The whole team has been distressed.
01:24Members of the public have been advised to avoid handling the birds themselves and instead
01:29contact the authorities.