Historic Incidents

Bushfires 2019-20

Bellinger River Snapping Turtle Event

A severe mortality event involving Bellinger River Snapping Turtles (Myuchelys georgesi) was investigated after dead and dying turtles were reported in February 2015. Over 430 turtles are estimated to have been affected with clinical signs including swollen eyes, blindness, emaciation, clear nasal discharge and hind limb paresis, and a very high case fatality rate. Diagnostic investigation was conducted by multiple agencies and organisations. A wide range of potential infectious aetiologies were excluded by laboratory testing and no evidence of pesticides was found in river water samples.

[This is a summary of the report in Animal Health Surveillance Quarterly, Volume 20, Issue 3]

Related links:

• NSW Department of Primary Industries – Bellinger River Snapping Turtle Response 
• Bellingen Shire Council – Bellinger River Snapping Turtles – Latest News 
• Zhang J et al (2018) Identification of a novel nidovirus as a potential cause of large-scale mortalities in the endangered Bellinger River snapping turtle (Myuchelys georgesi). PLoS ONE 13(10): e0205209.
• Spencer RJ et al (2018) Profiling a possible rapid extinction event in a long-lived species. Biological Conservation, 221, 190-197.
• Chessman BC et al (2020) On a razor's edge: Status and prospects of the critically endangered Bellinger River snapping turtle, Myuchelys georgesi. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 30(3), 586-600.

Shearwater Mortalities

Image Courtesy of A Silcocks

In October 2013, dead shearwaters (Puffinus spp.) were washing up along beaches and coastlines from Queensland to South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. The majority of the birds were short-tailed shearwater (Puffinus tenuirostris). Short-tailed shearwaters are a widespread, abundant seabird species, with a worldwide population in excess of 18 million animals. They spend approximately six months in Australia nesting and breeding before returning to their wintering grounds in the northern hemisphere in April. A number of other shearwater species were also been reported washed up on beaches, including: wedge-tailed (P. pacificus), fluttering (P. gavia) and flesh-footed (P. carneipes).

The conclusion was that this is a ‘natural but unfortunate event, with birds having died from exhaustion and starvation, following their long annual migration from the northern hemisphere to nesting areas in the southern hemisphere. Birds are often in poor condition and have limited energy reserves, having travelled over 15,000km. Die-offs occur annually, however this year has seen an extensive and widespread number deaths. Severe weather and difficulty finding sufficient fish stocks during their migration are considered to be contributing factors. 

Potential for diseases to be involved a part of the cause of the mortalities was investigated; a number of birds were submitted for necropsy from a number of locations in Qld, NSW, Vic, Tas and WA. All have showed similar results, including muscle wasting, emaciation and evidence of starvation. Some infectious diseases including avian influenza and Newcastle disease were excluded by PCR in the events in NSW, Vic, Tas and WA. Infection with West Nile Virus was also excluded by PCR in birds from NSW.

If you see a large number of dead birds on a beach, you can report the incident to your state or territory WHA Coordinator. If you find any live birds that are obviously unwell or injured, please contact your local veterinarian or wildlife carer group for advice.  

Shearwater mortalities -  Summary 11.12.2013 [PDF; 432 KB; 1pg] 

Note: WHA would like to thank all those who submitted information, including our subscribers, state and territory WHA coordinators, university researchers and zoo veterinarians. 

Rainbow lorikeet deaths
 

In early March 2012, a number of wild rainbow lorikeets (Trichoglossus haematodus) were report as dead or sick at a number of sites in the eastern and north-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Sick birds were showing signs such as diarrhoea, vomiting, regurgitation, and lethargy. In some cases, hand feeding of lorikeets had occurred at the sites where birds were found. Investigations were undertaken by veterinary staff at the University of Melbourne Faculty of Veterinary Science and Victorian Department of Primary Industries.

More Information: 

NSW OEH - The dangers of feeding lorikeets 

Necrotic enteritis in free-living rainbow lorikeets [summary in AHSQ Vol. 17 Issue 1] 

Skin lesions in southern bent-winged bats

Nodular skin lesions were observed on the wings of critically endangered southern bent-winged bats (Miniopterus orianae bassani) in a breeding colony at Naracoorte, South Australia in September 2009. Approx. 50-60% of adults of an estimated population of 26,000 bats were affected. Similar skin lesions had been observed at lower prevalence in previous years.

Histological examination (McLelland et al, 2013) found the lesions to be granulomas with a nematode at the centre. The nematode was identified as Riouxgolvania beveridgei, which had previously been reported in the eastern bent-winged bat (Miniopterus orianae oceanensis) (Bain and Chabaud, 1979). The lesions did not appear to have a significant impact on the affected bats or the population, although the reasons for the oubreak were not determined (McLelland et al, 2013).

References:

Bain O & Chabaud (1979) Sur les Muspiceidae (Nematoda-Dorylaimina). Anneles de Parasitologie Paris 54, 207-225.​

McLelland DJ et al (2013). Outbreak of skin nodules associated with Riouxgolvania beveridgei (Nematoda: Muspiceida) in the southern bentwing bat (Miniopterus schreibersii bassanii), South Australia. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 49(4), 1009-1013.