Latest news with #SpringvaleSouth
Daily Telegraph
22-07-2025
- General
- Daily Telegraph
Mass bird deaths outside Melbourne shopping hub
A troubling spate of bird deaths at a suburban Melbourne shopping precinct has raised alarm among business operators and prompted urgent action from property managers, as fears grow over the health, safety and reputational risks to the local retail strip. New signage was installed around the Springvale South shopping centre last week, urging the public not to feed wild birds, just days after more than 150 corellas and pigeons were found dead or dying around the precinct. The birds are believed to have been deliberately poisoned, though an official investigation by the Victorian government is still underway. Wildlife authorities have ruled out avian influenza H5N1, and toxicology testing is now being conducted on dozens of bird carcasses collected alongside open bags of bread and seed left near retail entrances and car parks. The incident has sparked concern among business owners, with some questioning whether better waste control and tenancy guidelines might have prevented the chaos. Michelle Phillips, a wildlife rescuer who led the emergency response, welcomed the signage but said more needs to be done – including multilingual warnings – in a region where more than 70 per cent of residents speak a language other than English at home. 'There's definitely no need to feed them,' the South Oakleigh Wildlife Shelter operator told Yahoo News. 'They survive quite happily on a natural diet.' While pigeons are still hanging around, locals are reporting corellas have vanished from the area. Most of the flock are now presumed dead, and Phillips describes it as 'a pretty sad situation'. 'Corellas that used to come to people's yards aren't coming anymore. The ones that survived have moved on,' she said. While well-meaning members of the public may have been leaving seed and bread to feed the birds, experts say this can encourage large congregations of wildlife, leading to droppings, noise complaints, and in worst-case scenarios – like this one – deaths from disease or poisoning. The situation has placed a spotlight on the role of shopping centre owners and commercial landlords in managing public spaces, including outdoor seating areas and shared car parks. On Thursday, more dead birds were discovered in nearby Dandenong, including several pigeons and one corella. The Conservation Regulator is continuing its investigation and is urging members of the public to come forward with any information. 'If you have any knowledge of either incident, please report it on 136 186 or call Crime Stoppers Victoria,' a Conservation Regulator spokesperson said. 'It's illegal and dangerous to poison wildlife, and we're calling on the community to come forward with any information they might have that will help us to track down whoever is responsible.'
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Warning signs placed around Australian shopping centre after mass poisoning incident
New signs have been placed around an Australian shopping centre urging customers not to feed wild birds. They were installed last week, just days after more than 150 corellas and pigeons began mysteriously falling from the sky and dying in suburban Melbourne. Government investigators have ruled out avian influenza H5N1, and it's suspected the birds were poisoned. The bodies of dozens of birds, along with open bags of bread and seed, were collected from the area, and toxicity testing is underway. While many Aussies delight in feeding birds, the act can have unintended consequences. Firstly, when unnaturally high numbers are lured to one site, it can anger local residents and businesses who object to the noise and smell. Sadly, mass corella poisonings are common in Australia, particularly in regional areas where they are known to be attracted to crops. Feeding the birds can also be bad for them, because they should be getting their nutrition from plants that are indigenous to the landscape, not sunflower seeds, corn and millet. And when large groups congregate in the same area, it can be a recipe for the spread of viruses like psittacine beak and feather disease. 'Sad situation' in suburb after birds die Before the suspected mass-poisoning on July 12 and 13, hundreds of birds were routinely being lured to the Springvale South shopping centre in search of an easy feed, creating chaos on the streets. Wildlife rescuer Michelle Phillips, who spearheaded the response to the poisoning incident, said the new signage was welcome. "Please do not feed the birds. Heavy fines apply," they read. But in Greater Dandenong, the region where the incident occurred, more than 70 per cent of the population speaks a language other than English at home. So she would like to see translations in other languages, to ensure the message is understood by everyone in the community. 'There's definitely no need to feed them,' the South Oakleigh Wildlife Shelter operator told Yahoo News on Monday. "They survive quite happily on a natural diet." While pigeons are still hanging around, locals are reporting corellas have vanished from the area. Most of the flock are now presumed dead, and Phillips describes it as 'a pretty sad situation'. 'Corellas that used to come to people's yards aren't coming anymore. The ones that survived have moved on,' she said. 🌏 Irreplaceable 6.5-hectare forest protected for future generations 😳 Shock new details revealed after dingo decapitation on holiday island 🐳 Major change seen off Australia's coast linked to 'worrying' event Authorities investigating discovery at second location The Conservation Regulator, which sits within the environment department, is continuing to investigate the matter. On Thursday, more dead birds were found in the neighbouring suburb of Dandenong. And the bodies of several pigeons and one corella were collected. 'If you have any knowledge of either incident, please report it on 136 186 or call Crime Stoppers Victoria,' a Conservation Regulator spokesperson said. 'It's illegal and dangerous to poison wildlife, and we're calling on the community to come forward with any information they might have that will help us to track down whoever is responsible.' Separately, anyone who sees a cluster of five or more sick birds or animals is urged to report it to DEECA by calling 136 186 or via the online reporting tool. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Yahoo
‘Doomsday-like scenes' as birds drop dead
More than 200 birds, including native corellas, were found dead outside a shopping centre in Melbourne's south over the weekend in what wildlife rescuers are calling a mass poisoning event. 'Had a traumatic day rescuing birds that had been poisoned,' Michelle Phillips from South Oakleigh Wildlife Shelter said. Witnesses described a confronting and distressing scene, with birds falling to the ground outside Springvale South shopping centre and a nearby school playground. 'They literally fell from the sky,' Ms Phillips said. 'Birds were dead or injured on people's houses, nearby parks, under cars.' It's believed the birds – mostly corellas and some pigeons – consumed poisoned feed on Friday, with the deaths continuing over the weekend. By Monday, the clean-up was still ongoing. 'There were over 200 dead, eight alive now at Healesville Sanctuary with autopsies happening,' Ms Phillips said. 'This is one reason that people should not feed wild birds, there is plenty natural food around.' The incident has drawn strong condemnation from the Animal Justice Party and calls for urgent legislative reform. 'This is yet another example of sickening animal cruelty that continues to happen in Victoria,' Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell said. 'I am disturbed to think that someone may have deliberately caused these doomsday-like scenes in suburban Melbourne where birds are literally falling from the sky. 'I hope that authorities throw every resource at finding those responsible for this heinous crime. 'The Allan Labor government must honour their commitment to modernise our state's archaic wildlife protection laws to deter this abhorrent behaviour and ensure serious penalties can be applied when perpetrators are caught.' Corellas are native to Australia and protected under Victorian wildlife laws.
