A poorly-understood phenomenon where lorikeets in the region becoming paralysed and unable to fly is thankfully coming to an end for 2024, says WIRES wildlife vet, Dr Tania Bishop.
Dr Bishop is part of the University of Sydney’s Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome (LPS) Project, which is described as a ‘citizen scientist research project exploring why Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome occurs in the southern Queensland and northern NSW regions of Australia.’
While no cause has been formally identified, the latest theory, says Dr Bishop, is that it could be a result of ingestion of a fungus growing on fruit.
‘Fruit has been blasted off the top of the trees by recent heavy rain events’, she says, ‘So lorikeets are feeding down lower on the trees. There is also increased humidity which could contribute’.
She says the condition has been known since 1970s, but only became severe recently, since around 2021. ‘There has been no specific disease or virus found’.
‘Flying foxes are affected too. It’s a concern as they are long distance pollinators’.
Dr Bishop says she was surprised how fast you have to act with the birds, as they can deteriorate fast.
‘It starts from legs, and then gets to their airwaves. We try and flush out their system, and nurse them back to health.
‘We give them an electrolyte solution with glucose, and then gradually get them back to fitness.
Local WIRES spokesperson, John Grant, told The Echo, ‘This LPS challenge has been, and is being, met thanks to an outstanding collaborative effort involving wildlife volunteers from WIRES and other local wildlife rescue organisations, the local community, and of course the many vet clinics that are tirelessly assessing and treating affected lorikeets.
‘The good news is that the number of sick birds is declining and the WIRES LPS drop-off centre closed Friday last week.
‘The public is urged to please still report any LPS-affected birds and/or take them to their nearest vet clinic for assessment and treatment’.
• If you come across a paralysed lorikeet
Don’t feed them, as they can bite. Water given can also get into their lungs.
To reduce stress, put them into a small, dark box, and get them to WIRES. Visit www.wires.org.au or call 1300 094 737.
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