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Demise Of A Majestic Threatened Seabird

Biodiversity Officers from the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) in Bairnsdale were called recently to help a large bird in distress at a Lakes Entrance golf course.

By Dept Of Sustainability - 11th May 2011 - Back to News

DSE Biodiversity Officer, Faye Bedford said: "When we got to the course we found a juvenile Northern Giant Petrel slowly paddling in the shallow waters of a dam."

"It is unusual to see one of these huge, majestic and threatened birds inland," Ms Bedford said.

"For a sea-faring bird to be away from its ocean environment and in a dam tells us that something is very wrong with it."

The bird was easily retrieved from the water and taken immediately to the Bairnsdale veterinary clinic for assessment and treatment.

"Although the bird showed no external injuries it was found to be extremely underweight, weak and anaemic. Despite being taken into care, the Petrel died early the next morning."

Veterinary staff and Biodiversity Officers were keen to find the cause of death in such strange circumstances, so a post mortem examination was conducted by Dr Jason Wong of the Bairnsdale veterinary clinic.

"Dr Wong found a piece of hard plastic lodged in the bird’s stomach which had impeded its natural ability to regurgitate the undigested food items of feathers and squid beaks…in a nutshell the bird had starved to death because it could not dislodge the blockage."

Ms Bedford said this type of unnecessary death is disturbing as it was entirely human induced.

"Due to the decline in their numbers, both species of Giant Petrel (northern and southern) are listed as threatened, both at a state and federal level," she said.

"Too many wildlife deaths are caused by people throwing things into the water. Even small items such as hair ties and plastic rings off milk bottles can cause pain and eventual death to any animal that may eat them or get them caught around their neck or body."

"You can help these majestic birds by remembering to get rid of your rubbish the right way. Always try to recycle whatever you can and place rubbish in bins or take it home with you."

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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