Officials launch urgent investigation after over 200 birds found dead in suspected mass poisoning event: 'It's a heartbreaking situation'
Australian officials believe the misuse of pesticides has caused the poisoning and deaths of more than 200 birds, and they are asking for the public's help to investigate the crime.
The Guardian reported that hundreds of little corellas have been found extremely sick or dead in New South Wales.
Veterinarians and other volunteers have been working to save any surviving birds. Based on its observations, the NSW Environment Protection Authority believes they were poisoned by pesticides.
"It's a heartbreaking situation," Kate Randolph, Hunter Wildlife Rescue's acting president, told the publication.
Little corellas are usually loud, playful birds that gather at local marinas. But the affected birds have instead shown symptoms such as paralysis and unsteadiness, and many are unable to fly.
"When you approach them, they can't fly, they can barely move," volunteer Kerry Walker said. "They try to spread their wings, and they just literally topple forward."
Officials said pesticide poisoning is a likely culprit, although it could be weeks until toxicology reports are complete.
Pesticides are commonly used for agricultural purposes, with an estimated 1 billion pounds used each year in the United States alone.
But these chemical-laden products aren't just harmful to the weeds and insects they target. They also pose a number of risks to the environment and to the health of humans and animals.
They leach into our soil and waterways, so much so that pesticide residue has been found in several popular baby foods. When combined with the effects of climate change, pesticides have been shown to reduce bees' life expectancy by up to 70%.
Do you worry about pesticides in your food?
All the time
Sometimes
Not really
I only eat organic
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
And just like with the little corellas, a similar situation occurred in NSW last year, as dozens of magpies were believed to have been poisoned, including nine that died. Officials in that case also believed pesticides could have been to blame.
In NSW, individuals who misuse pesticides can be fined up to $500,000, and companies can face a $2 million penalty. Officials have asked the public for help identifying those who may have been responsible for the alleged poisoning.
Veterinarian Tania Bishop also told The Guardian that this incident should serve as a warning about feeding wild birds. When birds learn to trust humans and take food from them, she said, it makes them more susceptible to intentional poisoning.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time Business News
5 hours ago
- Time Business News
Health Department Awards Optus $33M Contract for Medicare Communications Infrastructure
The Department of Health has awarded Australian telecommunications giant Optus a $33 million contract to provide critical communications services underpinning Australia's Medicare and e-health systems, marking a significant vote of confidence in the carrier following recent cybersecurity challenges. The three-year deal, with potential extension to six years, was confirmed through a contract notification posted on the government's AusTender procurement website. The agreement consolidates Optus's position as a strategic telecommunications provider to the federal government. Under the arrangement, Optus will deliver what the company describes as 'a fully managed Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) solution for the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, supporting its digital transformation.' The contract represents a consolidation of various telecommunications services previously spread across multiple arrangements. Optus has historically maintained substantial portions of the Health Department's carrier contracts, but the new deal brings together disparate services under a unified framework. The award comes as the Albanese government prioritizes securing core digital infrastructure supporting Medicare and broader e-health services. The telecommunications backbone provided under the contract will underpin the delivery of essential health services to millions of Australians. The deal also signals renewed government confidence in Optus following a turbulent period for the carrier. The company was among several major Australian corporations targeted by Russian-linked ransomware attacks, drawing criticism from former Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil. The cyberattacks resulted in the application of sanctions following what officials described as malicious raids on critical infrastructure providers. Despite these security challenges, the Health Department's decision to award the substantial contract to Optus suggests the government views the carrier as having adequately addressed previous vulnerabilities. The Network-as-a-Service model allows the Health Department to access telecommunications infrastructure without the need for significant capital investment in physical network equipment, while ensuring reliable connectivity for critical health system operations. The contract timeline provides flexibility for both parties, with the initial three-year term allowing for performance evaluation before potential extension to the full six-year period. This structure enables the government to maintain service continuity while preserving options for future procurement decisions. TIME BUSINESS NEWS


Time Business News
8 hours ago
- Time Business News
Mitesh Patel and Newarc Edge: Transforming Healthcare Construction Across Australia
Sydney, Australia – With a strong foundation in business and healthcare, Mitesh Patel has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of medical facility construction in Australia. His journey, from studying business in Singapore in 2001 to furthering his education in Switzerland & Sydney, laid the groundwork for his expertise in healthcare infrastructure. After gaining over a decade of experience at Dentsply Sirona, Mitesh entered the healthcare industry in 2008, quickly earning a reputation for excellence. In partnership with Josh Gaddes, Mitesh co-founded Newarc Edge, a company dedicated to delivering high-quality medical and dental fitouts. Their commitment to precision and innovation has made them a preferred choice among Australian doctors, leading to multiple industry awards and widespread recognition. Newarc has successfully completed healthcare construction projects values in the multiple millions of dollars, reinforcing its position as a trusted leader in the Australian healthcare industry. Expanding Healthcare Infrastructure Nationwide Newarc Edge has successfully completed over 750 healthcare suites across Australia, specializing in dental clinics, medical practices, surgeon suites, hospitals, and commercial healthcare buildings. Their expertise in ergonomic design, workflow optimization, and compliance with healthcare regulations ensures that each facility is tailored to the unique needs of practitioners and patients. Recent standout projects include: Nepean Hospital ENT Suite – A state-of-the-art facility designed for leading ENT specialists, integrating advanced medical technology and patient-centered design. – A state-of-the-art facility designed for leading ENT specialists, integrating advanced medical technology and patient-centered design. Dr. Jeremy's Dental Practice in Ryde – A sophisticated dental practice built with cutting-edge equipment and optimized for efficiency. – A sophisticated dental practice built with cutting-edge equipment and optimized for efficiency. National Dental Care – A series of high-end dental facilities developed in collaboration with industry leaders to enhance patient experience and operational effectiveness. Newarc Edge Fitouts prioritizes sustainability by using over 80% Australian-made products, reinforcing their commitment to local industry and environmental responsibility. With plans for international expansion, Mitesh and Josh continue to set new benchmarks for quality and innovation, solidifying Newarc Edge Fitouts' position as a leader in healthcare construction. Key Takeaways – By honing in on one industry, Newarc Edge delivers turnkey healthcare environments that tick every regulatory and ergonomic box—something a generalist fit-out firm typically can't match. – Their in-house medical/dental accreditation and award-winning craftsmanship give them a clear edge when doctors need a partner who 'gets' healthcare workflows. – General fit-out companies often win on cost flexibility and scale across sectors, but may lack the deep compliance know-how and specialist equipment networks that Newarc Edge brings. For more information, Newarc Edge Healthcare Construction Company. Author: Peter Sutherland TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
Better alcohol regulation will save lives and money
You are right to argue that rising alcohol harm must be addressed in the government's 10-year health plan (The Guardian view on alcohol and public health: the drinks industry must not control the narrative, 1 June). If ministers are 'staking their reputation on economic growth', they need to deal head-on with one of the biggest drivers of premature death and lost productivity, while ignoring spurious claims made by alcohol companies whose profits have for too long trumped public health. Alcohol harm costs England at least £27bn a year – almost double what the Treasury collects in alcohol duty. These harms aren't incidental to the alcohol market; they are intrinsic to it. While the industry promotes 'moderate drinking', evidence shows that its profits and growth depend on the heaviest drinkers. It's no coincidence that Diageo's CEO recently described moderation as the industry's 'biggest disrupter'. Policies that reduce alcohol consumption are consistently shown to be sound investments, recommended by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the World Bank and the World Health Organization. In Scotland, the introduction of minimum unit pricing (MUP) led to a 13% drop in alcohol-specific deaths and a 4% fall in hospital admissions. If adopted in England, MUP could reduce premature mortality while saving the NHS millions and help create a healthier workforce. England urgently needs a national alcohol strategy. Bold, evidence-based measures like MUP must be at its core, with commercial vested-interest groups kept at the Katherine SeveriChief executive, Institute of Alcohol Studies • Your editorial reflects the serious concerns that we at World Cancer Research Fund and many other organisations have around the ineffectiveness of England's alcohol regulation. The evidence shows that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption when it comes to cancer risk. And there are around 17,000 alcohol-related cancer cases in the UK every year, as well as 200 other associated health conditions caused by alcohol. In our Cancer Prevention Action Week (23-29 June), we will showcase polling that highlights the chasm between public perception about alcohol and cancer risks. We want the public to have correct health information at their disposal so they can understand their cancer risks and make informed choices. Now is the time for direct action. The UK government urgently needs to join the dots on regulation around alcohol marketing and labelling. We urge members of the public to do their part and sign our petition to advocate with us for better regulation in England. Dr Giota Mitrou Executive director of research and policy, World Cancer Research Fund • Nearly half of UK adults now drink alcohol-free products, and our research shows that 68% of them use these drinks to cut down on alcohol. But despite this momentum, outdated labelling rules are holding people back. For over a decade, governments have delayed a straightforward change: allowing drinks at or below 0.5% ABV to be labelled 'alcohol-free'. This is already the international standard and reflects the reality – drinks at this level contain no more alcohol than a ripe banana, sourdough bread or even some soft drinks. Yet UK producers are still forced to use the term 'low alcohol' for these drinks, confusing consumers and deterring many from trying WilloughbyCo-founder, Club Soda