Meat baiting is said to be behind the deaths of a large number of magpies

Wildlife officials discovered over 20 dead or dying magpies in the suburb of Yeerongpilly in the space of a week with some birds being found with meat in their mouths.

Wildlife officer Cameron Wregg said, "People in the Yeerongpilly area advise that someone in the neighbourhood may be involved in the poisoning of the magpies.”

Anyone found responsible for the birds’ deaths could be fined almost $400,000 or sentenced to two years in jail.