'It's very strange': Mystery after hundreds of galahs found dead
Mystery surrounds the death of more than 200 galahs in a town in South Australia.
On Thursday there were a couple of sick birds reported, but the following day the situation was much worse, with numerous people noticing lethargic or deceased galahs in a street in Burra.
Animal Rescue and Care CEO Ruth Norris posted an image of dozens of the dead birds with the caption “115 Dead and Dying Galahs and counting” on Friday.
“I was getting inundated with phone calls, with messages and Facebook messages,” Ms Norris told Yahoo7.
Today Ms Norris said the death toll was much higher.
Most of the injured and dying birds were found near the old courthouse and police lock-up on Sancreed Street, but apart from being lethargic, Ms Norris said they all appear to be adult birds which are healthy and have good flight muscle.
“It’s very strange,” Ms Norris said.
Ms Norris said she conducted autopsies on two birds herself.
“We don’t know at this stage what’s going on or why they died,” she said.
And added that there was “minimal grain in their stomachs”, so they definitely were not “grain drunk”.
She said it is possible someone has innocently sprayed for weeds and its run off into a water supply and the birds have had some – however she does not really want to speculate.
Regional Council of Goyder chief executive David Stevenson told the ABC it appears that only galahs have been affected.
“We’re very concerned, particularly that we don’t know what has caused this,” Mr Stevenson said.
Some of the galahs are going to be transported to Adelaide on Tuesday to be tested by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA).
“They’re going to be checked over by a pathologist and some samples (will be) taken and kept on store,” Ms Norris said.
For now, Ms Norris is warning the community to be aware and keep an eye on their pets.
“If you see pets with a galah please take it from them and dispose of it responsibly,” she said.
