Latest news with #WAWildlife
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mystery as 'iconic' sound vanishes from Aussie city's streets
One of Australia's most iconic sounds is rapidly disappearing from the suburbs in the west of the country. A mystery illness has been infecting magpies in the region, and as they die, so too does their melodious call. The scale of the problem across Perth and southwest Western Australia has caught frontline rescuers and disease experts by surprise. WA Wildlife became aware of the problem seven years ago, but there's been a surge in cases over the past five months. Hundreds have been assessed, with many too ill to survive crippling symptoms including limb paralysis and respiratory distress. The group's CEO Dean Huxley told Yahoo News he's received dozens of reports of entire 'tribes' of magpies vanishing. 'In Willagee, which is a southern suburb, it used to be notoriously overrun with magpies, it was overpopulated. I've had several residents from Willagee say they haven't seen a magpie in months,' he told Yahoo News. 'But even in my local area, I've noticed three parks where I haven't seen the tribe at all. Areas where they used to be in overabundance are now they're quite scarce.' Not only is Huxley concerned about the magpies; the presence of wildlife in cities is important for the well-being of humans. 'People just love magpies. And a high number of people have taken to social media to say they're devastated by the loss of their tribe. I think it's having a really negative impact on the community from a mental health perspective,' he said. The disease has similarities to botulism and the mystery illnesses that paralyse and kill birds and flying foxes in the eastern states, but experts suspect the Western Australian disease could be caused by a separate pathogen. A team led by Murdoch University wildlife health expert Dr Bethany Jackson had examined the bodies of 10 suspected victims of the disease. Inflammation of their brains and hearts suggests a virus, which could be spread by a vector like a mosquito or a tick. The outbreaks occur during the warmer months, so as winter sets in, the researchers are running comprehensive and high-level tests, hoping to get closer to solving the mystery. 'After the massive increase over the last summer period, we decided to stop, go back to square one, and run every test we think is reasonable,' Jackson told Yahoo. Mystery over 'unusual' outbreak plaguing iconic bird 😳 'Stomach-churning' reason behind popular seaside tourist show 🏝️ Luxury hotel attraction shut down after 'living nightmare' in pool exposed Before next summer, Jackson hopes to have 'clues' as to its cause, or at the very least to have ruled out certain possibilities. A definitive answer likely isn't imminent, and another season's worth of high-quality samples will probably be needed for their strategic approach to bear fruit. Aware of the public concern and determined to stop the carnage, the magpie syndrome is never far from Jackson's thoughts. Even when she returned home after a long day lecturing or working in the lab, she's reminded of the problem because the birds have disappeared from her own suburb. 'I think about it 24/7, because it's intellectually fascinating, and we see new things happening in wildlife with environmental change and urbanisation,' she said. 'But I also just really want to have answers for the public and for the people that work with the birds, because, it's very taxing and emotional for them.' Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
West Australian
19-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Kyle Sandilands takes plight of WA magpies dying from deadly disease to airwaves of Kyle and Jackie O Show
Kyle Sandilands has joined the chorus of voices demanding more be done to save WA magpies, which are at risk of disappearing from suburban areas because of a deadly paralysis syndrome. 'It's a national tragedy,' the country's top radio host and Australian Idol judge said of the issue. Sandilands took the plight of local magpies to the airwaves on Monday after learning about it through an article published in The Sunday Times and PerthNow. 'I love animals, so this stuck in my mind,' he told The Kyle and Jackie O Show's global 1.2 million listeners. 'Hundreds of thousands of magpies are . . . dropping dead.' He added on Sydney's top-rated breakfast show: 'This isn't some bird flu thing, this is a mysterious syndrome that they are calling magpie paralysis syndrome. 'The West Australian population are worried that their magpie population will be wiped out completely.' West Australians have also been vocal in their support of the State's magpies, with thousands engaging with the story on PerthNow and an influx of donations, some as high as $10,000, to WA wildlife centres. WA Wildlife chief executive Dean Huxley estimated that the mystery paralysis syndrome had led to the death of hundreds of thousands of birds across WA since it first emerged seven years ago. While cases have been steadily rising each year, there has been a fivefold increase in recent months. 'It feels almost apocalyptic,' Mr Huxley said of the mass deaths. 'Recently I've heard so many stories of people saying they have had a particular tribe of magpies in their street for years or decades and now they are gone. 'And that's not in one area, that's in the wider Perth area.' Wildlife centres across the State have been overrun with sick birds which have been brought in by members of the public. At WA Wildlife's hospital in Bibra Lake, more than 900 magpies have been admitted since August 2024, most suffering from paralysis syndrome. WA Wildlife has now teamed up with Kanyana Wildlife, Native Animal Rescue and Darling Range Wildlife Shelter to form the Wildlife Rehabilitation Advisory Group of WA in order to take action on the issue. 'We had to take matters into our own hands because we are getting no support from the WA Government,' Mr Huxley said. The deadly syndrome starts with paralysis of the feet, which then spreads up through the body. 'It's absolutely horrible, the birds suffer and if they don't receive treatment, they will die,' Mr Huxley said. 'We haven't seen a single case where it resolves on its own.' However, when caught early enough, the prognosis is good for magpies brought in for treatment. 'We have about a 60 per cent survival rate,' Mr Huxley said, adding that treatment can take between 10 days and two weeks. At Murdoch University's veterinary school, Bethany Jackson and a team of researchers are scrambling to find the cause of the paralysis. While it was initially thought to be a form of botulism, further research has suggested it is unlikely. 'There is a lot about this even that doesn't fit with a botulism event,' Dr Jackson said. 'So now we've gone back to square one to rule out everything.' Dr Jackson said researchers were 'throwing everything at' trying to find a cause that could lead to prevention and better treatment. Mr Huxley and Dr Jackson called on the State Government to invest more money into research on the syndrome, as well as funding wildlife centres that rely on donations and volunteers to care and treat afflicted birds. 'Our running costs are in the tens of thousands every month and, like all wildlife organisations that work tirelessly to look after wildlife, don't receive any government funding,' Mr Huxley said. 'State and Federal governments fund other animal charities, companion animals for example, and yet we don't fund our endemic wildlife, which they leverage for tourism. 'I think that dynamic needs to change. And that change will come from pressure from the public that says, 'We value our wildlife, we value our magpies and our bird song, and we expect some funding for the organisations that are trying to save them'.' A Government spokesperson said that while magpies were a protected native species, they were not considered 'endangered'.
Perth Now
19-05-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Kyle Sandilands calls WA magpie deaths ‘a national tragedy'
Kyle Sandilands has joined the chorus of voices demanding more be done to save WA magpies, which are at risk of disappearing from suburban areas because of a deadly paralysis syndrome. 'It's a national tragedy,' the country's top radio host and Australian Idol judge said of the issue. Sandilands took the plight of local magpies to the airwaves on Monday after learning about it through an article published in The Sunday Times and PerthNow. 'I love animals, so this stuck in my mind,' he told The Kyle and Jackie O Show's global 1.2 million listeners. 'Hundreds of thousands of magpies are . . . dropping dead.' He added on Sydney's top-rated breakfast show: 'This isn't some bird flu thing, this is a mysterious syndrome that they are calling magpie paralysis syndrome. Radio host Kyle Sandilands has taken the plight of WA magpies to the airwaves. Credit: Unknown / Instagram 'The West Australian population are worried that their magpie population will be wiped out completely.' West Australians have also been vocal in their support of the State's magpies, with thousands engaging with the story on PerthNow and an influx of donations, some as high as $10,000, to WA wildlife centres. WA Wildlife chief executive Dean Huxley estimated that the mystery paralysis syndrome had led to the death of hundreds of thousands of birds across WA since it first emerged seven years ago. While cases have been steadily rising each year, there has been a fivefold increase in recent months. 'It feels almost apocalyptic,' Mr Huxley said of the mass deaths. 'Recently I've heard so many stories of people saying they have had a particular tribe of magpies in their street for years or decades and now they are gone. 'And that's not in one area, that's in the wider Perth area.' WA Wildlife chief executive Dean Huxley with an injured magpie at the vet hospital in Bibra Lake. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / The West Australian Wildlife centres across the State have been overrun with sick birds which have been brought in by members of the public. At WA Wildlife's hospital in Bibra Lake, more than 900 magpies have been admitted since August 2024, most suffering from paralysis syndrome. WA Wildlife has now teamed up with Kanyana Wildlife, Native Animal Rescue and Darling Range Wildlife Shelter to form the Wildlife Rehabilitation Advisory Group of WA in order to take action on the issue. 'We had to take matters into our own hands because we are getting no support from the WA Government,' Mr Huxley said. Magpies are disappearing from suburban areas because of a deadly paralysis syndrome. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / The West Australian The deadly syndrome starts with paralysis of the feet, which then spreads up through the body. 'It's absolutely horrible, the birds suffer and if they don't receive treatment, they will die,' Mr Huxley said. 'We haven't seen a single case where it resolves on its own.' However, when caught early enough, the prognosis is good for magpies brought in for treatment. 'We have about a 60 per cent survival rate,' Mr Huxley said, adding that treatment can take between 10 days and two weeks. At Murdoch University's veterinary school, Bethany Jackson and a team of researchers are scrambling to find the cause of the paralysis. While it was initially thought to be a form of botulism, further research has suggested it is unlikely. Bethany Jackson, from Murdoch University's veterinary school. Credit: Justin Benson-Cooper / The West Australian 'There is a lot about this even that doesn't fit with a botulism event,' Dr Jackson said. 'So now we've gone back to square one to rule out everything.' Dr Jackson said researchers were 'throwing everything at' trying to find a cause that could lead to prevention and better treatment. Mr Huxley and Dr Jackson called on the State Government to invest more money into research on the syndrome, as well as funding wildlife centres that rely on donations and volunteers to care and treat afflicted birds. 'Our running costs are in the tens of thousands every month and, like all wildlife organisations that work tirelessly to look after wildlife, don't receive any government funding,' Mr Huxley said. 'State and Federal governments fund other animal charities, companion animals for example, and yet we don't fund our endemic wildlife, which they leverage for tourism. 'I think that dynamic needs to change. And that change will come from pressure from the public that says, 'We value our wildlife, we value our magpies and our bird song, and we expect some funding for the organisations that are trying to save them'.' A Government spokesperson said that while magpies were a protected native species, they were not considered 'endangered'.
West Australian
13-05-2025
- Health
- West Australian
WA Wildlife reports rise in mysterious syndrome harming the State's iconic black swans
WA Wildlife has reported a considerable rise in a mysterious syndrome harming the State's black swans. The not-for-profit organisation said it is treating an increasing number of black swans for a photosensitivity syndrome. 'Over the past few months, WA Wildlife has observed a notable increase in black swans presenting with a mysterious photosensitivity syndrome, particularly around the Swan River,' the Bibra Lake-based organisation wrote in a Facebook post on Monday. 'While we typically see just a handful of cases each year, we've treated over 20 swans in 2025 alone, most rescued by our friends at WA Seabird Rescue.' The birds — which appear on the State's flag — have been suffering from painful symptoms. The rescue centre said the cause of the syndrome is unknown, but claimed it could be linked to toxic exposure or liver dysfunction from environmental triggers. These factors increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Fortunately, WA Wildlife said the majority of swans see improvement in their symptoms. 'Most birds recover well with dedicated supportive care, including pain management, wound treatment and time in UV-protected enclosures to prevent further damage,' it wrote. According to the WA Wildlife website, the native wildlife hospital treats more than 6500 animals from 280 species each year. Magpies across WA have also fallen victim to a mysterious syndrome, however, this particular disease is deadly. It is estimated hundreds of thousands of the birds have suffered from magpie paralysis syndrome, also known as black and white bird paralysis, with cases rising in spring and summer. CEO of WA Wildlife, Dean Huxley, said the mass deaths 'feel almost apocalyptic'.
Perth Now
13-05-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
WA's iconic emblem animal at risk of mysterious syndrome
WA Wildlife has reported a considerable rise in a mysterious syndrome harming the State's black swans. The not-for-profit organisation said it is treating an increasing number of black swans for a photosensitivity syndrome. 'Over the past few months, WA Wildlife has observed a notable increase in black swans presenting with a mysterious photosensitivity syndrome, particularly around the Swan River,' the Bibra Lake-based organisation wrote in a Facebook post on Monday. 'While we typically see just a handful of cases each year, we've treated over 20 swans in 2025 alone, most rescued by our friends at WA Seabird Rescue.' The birds — which appear on the State's flag — have been suffering from painful symptoms. 'These swans arrive with painful, sun-damaged skin, including blistering, redness and sloughing — especially on unfeathered areas like their beaks and occasionally feet,' WA Wildlife said. The rescue centre said the cause of the syndrome is unknown, but claimed it could be linked to toxic exposure or liver dysfunction from environmental triggers. These factors increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. The birds — who appear on the State's flag — have been suffering from painful symptoms. Credit: Facebook / WA Wildlife Fortunately, WA Wildlife said the majority of swans see improvement in their symptoms. 'Most birds recover well with dedicated supportive care, including pain management, wound treatment and time in UV-protected enclosures to prevent further damage,' it wrote. According to the WA Wildlife website, the native wildlife hospital treats more than 6500 animals from 280 species each year. Magpies across WA have also fallen victim to a mysterious syndrome, however, this particular disease is deadly. It is estimated hundreds of thousands of the birds have suffered from magpie paralysis syndrome, also known as black and white bird paralysis, with cases rising in spring and summer. CEO of WA Wildlife, Dean Huxley, said the mass deaths 'feel almost apocalyptic'.
