Lead Poisoning Likely Cause of Esperance Bird Deaths

March 10, 2007
Amanda O'Brien
The Australian

LEAD poisoning is suspected of killing thousands of birds that fell from the sky over the West Australian coastal town of Esperance last year.

After three months of searching for answers to the unprecedented phenomenon, the state Department of Environment finally confirmed yesterday that lead poisoning was responsible for killing four birds it tested recently.

But it said more tests were needed before it would link lead to the deaths of all of the estimated 4000 birds that have died since December.

With another 100 bird deaths reported in the Esperance townsite this week, the state Government is bracing for a community backlash.

But Health Department spokesman Jim Dodds said there was no evidence to suggest the general population had been exposed to a health risk. He said anyone who was worried should consult their GP. No other advice was given.

The alarm was first raised by local resident Michelle Crisp in December after she found dozens of dead birds - mostly wattle birds, yellow-throated miners, new holland honeyeaters and singing honeyeaters - on her property one morning.

Within days, the town's dawn chorus was silenced as the number of dead and dying birds continued to grow. Many were seen vomiting and convulsing before death and despite numerous autopsies on the tiny bodies, authorities remained baffled.

Department of Environment spokesman David Mell said there was still no direct evidence of a lead source, although lead carbonate transported into Esperance for shipping through the port is the main suspect.

The department has already ordered an upgrade of the Esperance Port Authority's air-quality monitoring after lead particles were identified in dust at some monitoring stations.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21356116-30417,00.html