Latest news with #MaximilianBolling
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
California Residents Mystified by 'Inexplicable' Exploding Birds Epidemic, While Authorities Suggest Foul Play
Residents in the Richmond Bay Area community of Richmond, California, have reported multiple birds found dead, suggesting that they were exploding While many witnesses believe the animals were electrocuted after a security camera captured one falling from a power line, officials reportedly concluded that the injuries were similar to those from a BB gun, pellet gun, or slingshot gun The cause of the injuries is yet to be finally determined, with investigations still ongoing Residents of a neighborhood in the Bay Area community of Richmond, northeast of San Francisco, have reported cases of exploding birds, according to multiple outlets, including ABC News. ABC News notes that many birds have been found deceased on the street in the Bay Area, with one filmed fatally dropping from a power line following a pop sound. Newsweek notes that over 50 birds have been found dead. Per ABC7News, resident Maximilian Bolling said. "It's very traumatic," while neighbor Heather Jones added, "It's a mystery -- that's how we all feel. It's inexplicable." The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that officers were called to the 6100 block of Bernhard Avenue on April 26 after a report that 'multiple birds were possibly electrocuted when they landed on a power line," according to the outlet. "On Saturday, April 26, 2025, at about 5:00 pm, Contra Costa deputy sheriffs were dispatched to the 6100 block of Bernhard Avenue in unincorporated Richmond for a report of a suspicious circumstance,' the statement read. 'A resident reported multiple birds were possibly electrocuted when they landed on a power line.' PEOPLE has contacted the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office, the Pacific Gas & Electric Company, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife for comment, but did not immediately hear back. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. However, according to ABC News, officials have hinted at foul play after releasing the necropsy results of two deceased birds. The outlet reports that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Wildlife Health Lab concluded that a deceased mourning dove and European starling had injuries that were similar to wounds from BB guns, pellet guns, or slingshot guns, rather than injuries from power lines though the cause of the deaths is yet the be finally determined. The Pacific Gas & Electric Company also reportedly claimed that there was no evidence that the fatalities were caused by electrocution. "We appreciate the concern of our customers in Richmond about the recent series of bird deaths. We have asked the California Department of Fish & Wildlife to evaluate several of the bird corpses," Pacific Gas & Electric Company said in a statement, per ABC7. They also shared that the birds show no evidence of electrocution, and that their deaths appeared to be caused by trauma, potentially from a pellet or BB gun, or a slingshot. They added, "PG&E does not believe that there was an issue with our electrical equipment and agrees that these birds were not electrocuted. Neighbors have asked the Contra County Sheriff's Office to look into this situation. The pole at issue is compliant with avian safe standards, as established by the Avian Powerline Interaction Committee." is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Witness Mark Hoehner told ABC7News that the phenomenon 'sounded like a firecracker," and a "black bird-a starling-just plummeted to the ground" after the noise. "I've been under the birds when it happens, and I know where the sound is coming from. It's coming from up on the pole,' he added. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
Mysterious exploding bird epidemic ‘horrifying' Bay Area neighborhood
Why are birds exploding in Richmond, California? That's the question residents would like answered as birds are dying at what they say is an alarming rate, according to ABC 7. Local residents described the bird deaths as "very traumatic" and "really violent." In one video, captured by a Ring security camera, a loud pop can be heard out of frame just before the lifeless body a bird falls to the ground. Residents have described the sound as reminiscent of a BB gun or a firecracker, and they told ABC 7 that they've been hearing the noise far too often for it to be coincidence. Birds began exploding in the area several months ago, and at least 13 birds have died since it started, according to ABC 7. Resident Maximilian Bolling told ABC 7 he believes that problem may be the result of a missing protective seal or insulator on nearby power lines. He said he and other residents have voiced their concerns to PG&E, the regional power company, but said nothing has been done to address them so far. "[Utility workers] looked up from the ground and said it was fine," Bolling told the broadcaster. PG&E told ABC 7 that it is aware of the situation, and has launched an investigation to determine whether or not its infrastructure is contributing to the local bird deaths. Residents are encouraging each other to document instances of bird deaths. Locals have gone so far as to hang up fliers warning passerby of danger from above and instructing them to document any dead birds they notice. While hearing birds exploding overhead is concerning enough by itself, the resident are also concerned that if the issue is electrical in nature, it could contribute to another serious issue for Californians: wildfires. "It's cooler and wetter now, but if it happens in the summer, it could easily catch fire," Bolling told ABC 7. "We want this to be solved before that happens."


The Independent
12-05-2025
- The Independent
Mysterious exploding bird epidemic ‘horrifying' Bay Area neighborhood
That's the question residents would like answered as birds are dying at what they say is an alarming rate, according to ABC 7. Local residents described the bird deaths as "very traumatic" and "really violent." In one video, captured by a Ring security camera, a loud pop can be heard out of frame just before the lifeless body a bird falls to the ground. Residents have described the sound as reminiscent of a BB gun or a firecracker, and they told ABC 7 that they've been hearing the noise far too often for it to be coincidence. Birds began exploding in the area several months ago, and at least 13 birds have died since it started, according to ABC 7. Resident Maximilian Bolling told ABC 7 he believes that problem may be the result of a missing protective seal or insulator on nearby power lines. He said he and other residents have voiced their concerns to PG&E, the regional power company, but said nothing has been done to address them so far. "[Utility workers] looked up from the ground and said it was fine," Bolling told the broadcaster. PG&E told ABC 7 that it is aware of the situation, and has launched an investigation to determine whether or not its infrastructure is contributing to the local bird deaths. Residents are encouraging each other to document instances of bird deaths. Locals have gone so far as to hang up fliers warning passerby of danger from above and instructing them to document any dead birds they notice. While hearing birds exploding overhead is concerning enough by itself, the resident are also concerned that if the issue is electrical in nature, it could contribute to another serious issue for Californians: wildfires. "It's cooler and wetter now, but if it happens in the summer, it could easily catch fire," Bolling told ABC 7. "We want this to be solved before that happens."