Poisoned pigeon discovered in Millbrook
There is a report of birds being poisoned in the Millbrook area again.
A resident of Millbrook delivered a suffering pigeon to Dr. Helene VanDoninck, who runs the Cobequid Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Sunday night. Although she tried to save the seizuring bird, it died.
VanDoninck said she’s treated several poisoned pigeons and they’ve usually eaten seed treated with Avitrol.
“This is labeled as humane but it definitely isn’t,” she said. “It attacks the nervous system and causes seizures, and their temperature goes up through the roof.”
In October more than a dozen dead pigeons, and a couple that were having seizures, were found in Truro.
Some had their heads removed and corn kernels – one of the most commonly poisoned feeds – were on the ground around them. VanDoninck said whatever animals removed the heads – possibly birds of prey – were probably also poisoned.
It is legal for those with a licence to use Avitrol, which contains an active ingredient called 4-aminopyridine that is banned in many places. When pigeons are killed others usually soon move in if there is a suitable roosting area.
VanDoninck has been able to save birds treated soon after consuming poison and asks that people contact her at 902893-0253 if they find birds unable to fly or shaking.