A number of galahs have reportedly been dropping dead from the sky in Moree and one local woman wants to know why.
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Gwenda Stanley contacted the Moree Champion after five galahs literally "fell from the sky" at Stanley Village, Moree on Saturday, February 29.
"We live in Stanley Village and on Saturday afternoon a young girl came up and said 'Aunty, aunty, we got this dead bird'," Ms Stanley said.
"There were five of them. They're just dropping from the sky.
"The kids had it wrapped up and tried to save it but it died. It was frothing from the mouth and in a paralysed state.
"All that night we could hear galahs screaming, crying."
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Ms Stanley said she also saw a number of other people posting about galahs dropping dead in Moree around the same time.
Fellow Moree resident Janelle Boyd posted on Facebook on that same day (February 29), saying three dying galahs had fallen from her tree and "can't use their wings or feet and are frothing from their mouths, screaming in pain".
Concerned about what could be causing the deaths, especially since children had been in contact with the animals, Ms Stanley contacted a number of different organisations to report the incident.
She called the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and WIRES who said they only deal with live animals. She has been in contact with a vet from the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) animal biosecurity team, who Ms Stanley said has been helpful, but she still has not received any answers and no-one has come to collect the birds for testing.
"We need an investigation into what's killing these birds," she said.
"Five in one day, seems like a lot to me. For these birds to be frothing, that's my concern.
"We need to find out what's happening."
The Moree Champion has contacted a number of government agencies, including the EPA, NSW DPI, NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, for answers as to why these birds might be dying, however each department has avoided responsibility and referred the Champion to another agency.
The EPA did however provide advice about what to do should people come across multiple dead or dying birds that they suspect might be poisoned.
The public is urged to contact the EPA immediately on 131 555, so it can arrange to collect biological samples for analysis.
"If people notice grain or other bird-attracting feeds on the ground near the birds, please do not handle these materials as they may contain harmful chemicals," the spokesperson said.
"The EPA can collect samples for analysis using appropriate PPE.
"It is often difficult to identify the person responsible for bird poisonings, so any other information people can provide in respect to things seen before finding any dead or dying birds should also be reported to the EPA."
The spokesperson said it's now "too late" to collect the dead birds found on February 29 for testing - "had we got the birds we could have sent them to be tested" - however Ms Stanley said she did attempt to call contact the EPA about the matter that night. She is still yet to speak to anyone from EPA.
If you notice multiple dead or dying birds, contact the EPA immediately on 131 555.
