Toxicology tests by the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority have revealed banned pesticides in the bodies of magpies found sick or dead in Cootamundra, raising questions about illegal chemical use.
Rachel Holdsworth reports for ABC News.
In short:
- About 30 magpies were brought to a Cootamundra vet after showing paralysis and other symptoms, with nine eventually dying.
- Tests detected DDE and dieldrin—banned chemicals from the 1980s and 1990s—in the birds, though the cause of death remains inconclusive.
- Greens MP Sue Higginson is calling for stricter enforcement on banned pesticides, which may still be stockpiled on properties.
Key quote:
“We know that the life cycle and the life span of these chemicals is very long… in many cases, decades.”
— Sue Higginson, Greens environment spokesperson
Why this matters:
Banned pesticides pose lasting risks to wildlife and ecosystems due to their persistence in the environment. Detection of these toxins in native birds highlights potential gaps in regulatory enforcement and suggests lingering environmental contamination that could harm both wildlife and human health.
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