A heartbroken resident of Inala, a suburb in Brisbane’s southwest, is calling for urgent assistance after witnessing a distressing phenomenon: 33 magpies have mysteriously died in her garden. The alarming series of events began earlier this month when Kylie, who lives with her mother, found four dead birds on her property. Despite reaching out to local authorities, including the council and the RSPCA, she was informed that little could be done since the birds were already deceased, with initial reports attributing the deaths to heatstroke.
However, the situation has escalated, with dozens more magpies succumbing to an unknown ailment. Kylie described to Yahoo News Australia how the birds initially lose the ability to fly, followed by an inability to walk, and eventually die gasping for oxygen. “It’s awful to watch,” she said, recounting how one bird died in her arms. “I don’t know what’s going on. One minute they’re healthy, and the next minute they’re just dropping.”
Authorities Respond to the Crisis
The RSPCA Queensland has confirmed it is investigating the mysterious deaths, having taken several birds into care. A spokesperson stated, “The cause of this incident is currently under investigation, and we are working closely with the relevant authorities.” The Department of Primary Industries is collaborating with the RSPCA to conduct disease exclusion testing, although no definitive cause has been identified yet.
Authorities are urging the public to report any unusual bird deaths or suspected cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline. The RSPCA advises that clusters of five or more sick or dead wild birds should be reported immediately, especially if they belong to certain species like seabirds, waterbirds, or birds of prey.
Signs and Precautions
Possible signs of avian influenza include lack of coordination, tremors, twisted necks, and difficulty breathing. The RSPCA emphasizes the importance of avoiding contact with sick or dead wildlife and ensuring pets do not interact with affected animals. Observations, including photos or videos, should be documented and reported to authorities.
“Even if testing does not occur, every report contributes valuable information for disease monitoring and management,” an RSPCA spokesperson stated.
The Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) has not yet received reports of deceased magpies in Inala but is now aware of the situation. They urge the community to report any wildlife deaths to help determine if further investigation is necessary.
Wider Implications and Historical Context
This troubling incident in Brisbane is not isolated. In Western Australia, a similar mystery illness has been affecting magpies, causing entire “tribes” of the birds to vanish from suburbs. WA Wildlife has been aware of this issue for seven years, with recent spikes in cases. The disease shares characteristics with botulism and other illnesses affecting birds and flying foxes in eastern states, but experts believe a different pathogen may be responsible in Western Australia.
A team led by Dr. Bethany Jackson from Murdoch University is actively researching the cause of the Western Australian magpie deaths, hoping to shed light on this perplexing issue and prevent further losses of these iconic birds.
As investigations continue, the community remains on high alert, hoping for answers to prevent further devastation to the local magpie population. The situation underscores the importance of vigilant wildlife monitoring and swift reporting to manage and mitigate potential outbreaks.
