Latest news with #MichelePhillips
ABC News
15-07-2025
- ABC News
‘Falling from the sky': Investigation launched into suspected Melbourne native bird poisoning
A Melbourne wildlife carer estimates 400 native corellas and pigeons may have died from suspected poisoning in Melbourne's south-east over the weekend. Warning: This story contains images some readers may find distressing. Michele Phillips, who has worked as a wildlife carer for 35 years and runs the South Oakleigh Wildlife Shelter, was called to the Springvale South Shopping Centre in Melbourne's south-east after reports of many deceased birds in the area. "There was a house over the road that had its roof covered in dead and dying birds. People in different houses came out, they all had dead or dying birds." Ms Phillips said cleaners at the centre had been clearing dead birds from the area since Friday night and said "no doubt" poisoning was to blame. "They bleed from their nose and eyes [after poisoning] … This was exactly the same," she said. "Corellas, they mate for life — so it was horrible because you were seeing their partners next to them knocking them around, trying to [understand] what was happening." Corellas are one of the native bird species protected under the Victorian Wildlife Act 1975. The maximum penalty for hunting, taking or destroying protected wildlife in Victoria is $10,175.50 and six-months' prison, plus $1017.55 for every head of wildlife involved. Speaking on Radio National Breakfast, Wildlife Victoria CEO Lisa Palma said multiple volunteers helped collect the bodies of dead birds after receiving "multiple emergency calls" about birds behaving "abnormally". Ms Palma said other native bird species including the crested pigeons, ravens, sulphur-crested cockatoos and silver gulls were also found among the dead birds. The birds were sent to Healesville Sanctuary for toxicology testing. Healesville Sanctuary said the Conservation Regulator at the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action is leading the investigation. A spokesperson for the Conservation Regulator confirmed an investigation "into the cause of death of a large number of corellas" is underway. According to the department, anyone who sees five or more sick or dead wild birds or wildlife should report it online or on 136 186. Any sightings of sick or dead penguins or pelicans, birds of prey, black swans and marine mammals should also be reported. It is unclear what caused the deaths of these birds. Earlier this year, an investigation was launched by Agriculture Victoria and the Conservation Regulator after dozens of corellas were found dead in the Wimmera. The Horsham Rural City Council suspected poisoning as the cause of death after seeds were found scattered in the area. After the Springvale South incident, Ms Palma warned people against feeding native birds. "We did have reports from members of the public that someone was leaving bird seeds out in the area, and we understand the department has collected some of that bird seeds as well for testing," she said. Ms Phillips said she sees people feeding birds "all the time". "People were dropping off seeds and rice and throwing it on the ground, I ended up ringing the council and asked them to clean the area up," she said. "[The birds] know how to survive. People feeding wild birds, it encourages disease and it encourages the birds to be dependent on that food." In a statement, Greater Dandenong City Council executive director Community Strengthening, Peta Gillies said the discovery of deceased birds was "distressing" for the community and said the council is supporting the relevant organisations in the investigation. In Victoria, bird feeding laws differ in each local government area. According to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, 14 of the 31 local councils in Greater Melbourne have laws regarding feeding wild birds.
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Yahoo
Sad find on road sign as Aussie state mulls major change for millions of pet owners
A young possum found clinging to a road sign in the scorching heat shows why many Aussies are backing a contentious push to enforce tougher restrictions on pet owners. The native possum was spotted by a young child clinging to the sign outside their school in the southeastern suburbs of Melbourne earlier this week, clearly showing signs of distress. "I got called at 3pm when a parent went to pick up their child, that poor possum had suffered all day," wildlife rescuer Michele Phillips told Yahoo News. "It had obviously been attacked during the night and run up there to be safe," she said. She could tell from the injuries to the possum behind its neck that it had "definitely" been attacked by a cat. "It had to be euthanised because it had horrific injuries," she lamented. "Ninety-nine per cent of the possums I get in are due to their mums being killed by a cat." According to the Victorian Agricultural Department's code of practice for the private keeping of cats, the animals "should be kept indoors at night and preferably confined to the property at all times both for the cat's welfare ... and to protect native wildlife." "Everyone says 'My cat won't do it'... but they do – they're natural born killers," Michele said. "There are too many irresponsible cats owners." In Victoria, local councils are allowed to mandate tougher restrictions for cat owners and Michele furiously petitioned her council, the City of Monash, which eventually brought in a night curfew domestic pet cats in April 2021. The curfew means cats must be kept inside between either 7pm or sunset (whichever is earlier) and sunrise. RELATED: Aussie state plans to kill thousands of cats A similar mandate is enforced in a number of suburbs across Canberra. And now, advocates are pushing for NSW to follow suit. On Wednesday, the NSW state government announced it will review pet laws for the first time in two decades – a move which could open the door for cat containment mandates for millions of pet owners. While the precise number of pet cats in the state is unclear, there are more than 4.7 million dogs and cats kept as pets in NSW. "We need strong laws that hold pet owners to account and make sure owners take responsibility for their pets at home and in public spaces," Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said this week when announcing the review. The review will examine a number of aspects of pet ownership, with the urgent need to prevent dogs and cats entering the pound and rehoming system appearing to be a main priority. It will look at existing regulations pertaining to registration and desexing, preventing dog attacks as well as cat ownership, the government said. Invasive Species Council Interim CEO Jack Gough has welcomed the news, describing it as an important opportunity for NSW to catch up with other states. "Every year about 66 million native mammals, frogs, reptiles and birds are killed by roaming pet cats just in Greater Sydney. We need a cultural change to stop this and that starts with empowering councils to bring in clear cat containment rules," he said. "Despite strong public backing for cat containment, outdated laws in NSW prevent councils from acting. This is a stark contrast to Victoria which has empowered councils to introduce containment rules, and over half have done so. The ACT has also mandated cat containment territory-wide." Pet owners and other stakeholders can provide feedback for the NSW review here. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
