Poisoning
suspected in mass bird deaths.
Residents
of Attlee Place were left shocked and confused when more than 60 birds, among
them sparrows, a thrush and a mynah, dropped dead over four hours yesterday
morning.
The birds
were lying dead or dying all around the complex of inner city flats in a
suspected mass poisoning.
Residents
said they noticed birds acting strangely, flying low and all over the place,
when they woke up yesterday. By lunchtime more than 60 sparrows were dead and
one myna bird.
Lisa
Ririnui said she has lived there for almost 10 years and had never seen
anything like it.
“They’re
struggling to stay alive, it’s weird, and very uncommon.”
Another
resident saw them “dropping out of the trees” to fall dead on the ground.
“We’ve
got cats and children and are very worried they are going to pick up these dead
birds.” Gisborne District Council (GDC) confirmed it was not a council
operation. The dead birds were picked up for disposal yesterday afternoon.
The
council contractor would visit Attlee Place again today in case there were
further casualties.
GDC team
leader of biodiversity Phil Karaitiana took a couple of the birds to the vet to
determine the cause of death and what poison may have been used.
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