MEDIA RELEASE
21 March 2007

Auckland SPCA Calls For Ban On Poison

Ducks, swans, geese and other birds were found dead or dying on Monday after eating grain laced with what appeared to be alpha-chloralose. The Auckland SPCA is appealing for any one who may have witnessed the person(s) responsible for the mass poisoning of birds around Western Springs Reserve.

The grain was found scattered from Great North Road to the lake at Western Springs Reserve. Fifty of the birds died and others are responding well to treatment at one of the Auckland SPCA BirdWing recovery centers with some expected to be returned to the reserve over the next few days.

“It is clear that the targeting of Western Springs where these birds reside is the act of someone whose intentions were clearly mischievous and totally cruel” said Auckland SPCA Inspectorate Manager David Lloyd-Barker. “We intend to find the culprit and prosecute, and any assistance the public can render will be greatly appreciated”.

Meanwhile the Chief Executive of the Auckland SPCA, Bob Kerridge, renewed his call for the withdrawal of alpha-chloralose from public sale. “We first approached the Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA) in 2002 following an incident in Auckland’s CBD where poisoned birds literally fell form the sky” he said. “Despite ongoing approaches no action has yet been taken. Perhaps this mass slaughter at Western Springs will provide the necessary incentive to keep this poison from the public from now on”.

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