RSPCA investigates spate of bird deaths in Inala
“My mom has lived here for 54 years and we have a beautiful wildlife-friendly backyard. We’ve had magpie season,” Conroy said.
Since first reporting the dead birds, efforts to retrieve one’s carcasses and find out what killed them have been hampered by bureaucracy, Conroy said.
A healthy bird examines a flightless bird.Credit: Julius Dennis
Brisbane City Council sent someone from its roadkill cleanup unit on Christmas Eve and Conroy said he persuaded him to help bury the birds in the backyard.
She eventually called the Animal Emergency Helpline and had the RSPCA send an animal rescue vehicle to the house and retrieve seven of the birds.
All of these birds, along with the bird Conroy had previously brought to the hospital, were euthanized after storage problems worsened.
The bodies were sent to a state biosecurity facility in Coopers Plains for testing.
Conroy’s garden became a graveyard for the neighborhood birds.Credit: Julius Dennis
An RSPCA spokesman said they were investigating the wave of deaths along with other relevant authorities.
The spokesman urged the public not to touch birds they believe are sick.
They said people who observe unusual bird deaths or suspect highly pathogenic bird flu should immediately call the Emergency Animal Disease Helpline on 1800 675 888.
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H5N1, a highly contagious strain of bird flu, spread across much of Asia, Europe, North and South America, Africa and Antarctica, killing hundreds of millions of birds and at least tens of thousands of mammals.
The species has not yet been detected on the Australian mainland, but experts say it is only a matter of time before it reaches our shores.
The Queensland Department of Primary Industries said it was working with the RSPCA.
