COUNCIL PROBE INTO OWL DEATHS
GEELONG council is investigating increased reports of deceased birds of prey being discovered around the region.
The probe follows concerns raised by an animal rescuer that the council-led rabbit pest control program and use of the poison Pindone could be leading to cases of secondary poisoning in a variety of raptor species.
City Hall director of city services Guy Wilson-Browne said the council had sent specimens to Melbourne University for testing.
“Findings from scientific research into the cause of native bird deaths on the Bellarine Peninsula will be used to direct the city’s ongoing rabbit control program,” he said.
“The majority of raptor species which have been found deceased are unlikely to feed on rabbits but more likely to feed on smaller animals such as rats and mice.”
The City of Greater Geelong resumed its rabbit pest control program mid-July, placing chopped carrot treated with anticoagulant poison Pindone at Curlewis’ Griggs Creek Reserve.
“The site has been monitored on a daily basis by the contractor since the laying of the baits and one deceased rabbit has been collected so far,” Mr WilsonBrowne said.
“There have been no off-target impacts to native animals identified at this site during the daily visits.”
Local birdwatcher and naturalist Trevor Pescott said he believed there was “something a bit more complicated than just Pindone baiting” causing the increasing numbers of sick and dying birds of prey in the region.
“The bigger problem is the use of rat baits, which is a poison that stays active in the body of the dead animal and is much more transferable,” Mr Pescott said.
“Whether Pindone is the main cause of these deaths, I am not convinced.
“I know many of the owls, especially the frogmouths, generally feed on mice and smaller animals.”
Jason Cichocki from Surf Coast Animal Rescue Services raised concerns over the use of Pindone baits last week following the deaths of more than 40 birds in eight weeks.
“It’s not just barn owls, we’ve had kestrels, wedgetailed eagles and even a brown falcon that are presenting with secondary poisoning symptoms,” he said.
Starvation caused by the population boom is also a concern for wildlife rescuers, as more birds are forced to fight over a dwindling healthy food supply.
“Poisoning is not the answer,” Mr Cichocki said. “If only they could understand the damage it is doing to the birds of prey in the area they may stop and reconsider.”
The rescue service is planning to send away several birds who have died in the last couple of weeks for autopsies.