Common pesticide caused mass death of little corellas, NSW environment watchdog confirms do sex sex to

Apr, 30 2025 08:04 AM

A dead little corella in Newcastle in March. The NSW environment watchdog has confirmed a mass death pf 200 birds was caused by a common pesticide. Photograph: Hunter Wildlife RescueView image in fullscreenA dead little corella in Newcastle in March. The NSW environment watchdog has confirmed a mass death pf 200 birds was caused by a common pesticide. Photograph: Hunter Wildlife RescueNew South WalesCommon pesticide caused mass death of little corellas, NSW environment watchdog confirmsEPA says toxicology tests after distressing March event detected fenitrothion – which is currently under review – in all dead birds Election 2025 live updates: Australia federal election campaign Get our afternoon election email, free app or daily news podcast Lisa Cox and Graham ReadfearnWed 30 Apr 2025 08.00 BSTLast modified on Wed 30 Apr 2025 08.31 BSTShareA common agricultural pesticide caused the mass deaths of 200 little corellas across Newcastle in March, the New South Wales environment watchdog has confirmed.The Environment Protection Authority said toxicology tests had detected the presence of barley grain and the pesticide fenitrothion in all the deceased birds.Fenitrothion is a pesticide commonly used in agriculture to control insect pests.An EPA spokesperson said the regulator was continuing its investigation and urged “anyone with information about the deaths or possible pesticide misuse” to come forward.“The EPA has been conducting a thorough investigation and will continue looking into all lines of enquiry,” they said. Sign up for the Afternoon Update: Election 2025 email newsletter In March, volunteers described “extremely confronting” scenes in suburbs including Hamilton, Carrington, Waratah, Broadmeadow, Lambton and near the University of Newcastle, where dead and sick birds were found.Vets and volunteer wildlife carers said they did everything they could to rescue surviving, severely sick birds.Most of the birds were little corellas but several sulphur crested cockatoos were also affected.Jason Gordon, the EPA’s executive director of regulatory operations, said at the time it was a distressing situation, with affected birds exhibiting symptoms such as bleeding, staggering, paralysis and an inability to fly.The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is currently reviewing the regulation and use of fenitrothion, which is legal and, as noted by the EPA, “readily available for purchase”.In a government notice last year, the APVMA said it was “not satisfied” that current use instructions for fenitrothion products would protect non-target species.The notice said fenitrothion was toxic to birds and use of it on a range of crops and some fruit and vegetables “in accordance with currently approved instructions posed an unacceptable risk to birds.”In NSW, the negligent use of pesticides that harms non-target animals or plants can attract penalties of up to $500,000 for individuals and $2m for corporations.The EPA spokesperson said anyone with information about the deaths or possible pesticide misuse should contact the EPA on 131 555.Explore more on these topicsNew South WalesWildlifenewsShareReuse this content

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