A resilient flock of more than 100 corellas in Newcastle is gaining strength after surviving a suspected mass poisoning that claimed hundreds of native birds. The troubling incident distressed residents who watched corellas topple from trees in suburbs like Carrington, Hamilton, and Broadmeadow.
Local wildlife carers and veterinarians sprang into action, administering life‑saving Vitamin K injections every four hours for five days to counteract the toxic effects in the survivors. Despite initial shortages, volunteers like Robyn Cragg from Hunter Wildlife Rescue have nursed their in‑care population to nearly one hundred birds across several locations.
“We’re getting close to a hundred [birds] now, and that’s the whole point about this story — we’ve had very good success,” Cragg said, capturing the triumph of community‑led wildlife care. In Hamilton, veterinary clinic nurse Bronte Wilkinson shared on social media,
“This is a small, yet deeply significant win, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication of our amazing team and the support of our community”. Once treatment concluded, survivors were relocated to a secret site to bond and form a new, self‑supporting flock — an essential step for their long‑term survival and breeding.
Meanwhile, the NSW Environment Protection Authority is diligently investigating the cause, collecting samples, and ruling out factors like bird flu or unintentional pesticide misuse. Investigators are appealing to residents for clues as they inspect sites across Hamilton, Carrington, Waratah, and Broadmeadow, seeking evidence of deliberate or accidental poisoning.
The incident underscores the vulnerability of urban wildlife to environmental hazards and the impact of community vigilance in wildlife conservation The Guardian. It also highlights the critical role of rapid medical intervention and coordinated volunteer efforts in reversing the effects of such a devastating event Hunter Wildlife Rescue.
This story matters because it celebrates how ordinary citizens, experts, and authorities can collaborate to rescue native species and safeguard local ecosystems.
Readers are invited to follow the unfolding investigation and support wildlife carers who continue to monitor and release these spirited birds back into the skies. For the full story and ongoing updates on this remarkable recovery, check out this ABC News article link.
