Mysterious bird deaths in Fairland
FAIRLAND – Resident is in distressed after about 50 dead wild birds were found in her garden over a period of three weeks.
Recently, a resident was in distress after she witnessed the death of close to 50 wild birds in her garden in a space of three weeks.
Fairland resident, Janet Glover said she thinks these wild birds may have eaten a poisonous substance from someone possibly trying to kill rats.
“You do not kill birds with any of the registered rat poisons,” Glover said.
She explained that the use of any illegal substances would virtually immediately kill any animal that ingests it, including dogs, cats and humans.
Delta Environmental Centre resident manager, Geoff Lockwood said bird deaths in these numbers were certainly not normal and points to a problem in the area.
He added that there are at least two reasons for these mass deaths and it is important to be sure what they are dealing with.
Lockwood said there could be periodic outbreaks of an avian paramyxovirus (Newcastle disease) which can result in significant deaths, particularly among doves and pigeons.
It is highly contagious and can rapidly spread through the local bird population.
“Birds can be walking around feeding and looking fine one minute, and then they may start showing tremors, arching their heads up with the bill pointing skywards, and then fall over dead.”
To rule out Newcastle’s disease, they would need to know which bird species is being affected, how many birds are dying, what symptoms they present before they die and any other information which might help point to the cause of death.
Lockwood also added that to confirm poisoning is responsible, it is important to collect a number of fresh carcases.
These should then be carefully sealed in plastic bags and refrigerated before getting them to Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital for testing to determine if a poison is, in fact, involved.
“Testing may also indicate the type of poison and possibly the manufacturer.”
He also confirmed that if poisoning is proved, a criminal investigation would need to be initiated.
Glover shared that the deaths have now slowed down.
“If it happens again I shall go all out to find the cause of the deaths.”
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