Our Rainbow Lorikeets are colourful boisterous birds full of personality, however recently have you noticed some listless birds that donʻt want to fly?
4ZZZ's Eliot Rifkin chatted with Claude Lacasse a veterinarian at Qld RSPCA about Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome affecting Southeast Queensland
For a deep dive...
Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome (LPS) is a disease occurring in wild rainbow lorikeets that causes the birds to become paralysed and unable to fly. This disease is seasonal, occurring between October and June, with the highest number of cases happening between December and February. Here's an article of Lorikeet Paralysis Sydrome by University of Sydney that partners with RSPCA Qld.
If you find an affected Lorikeet, place it in a box and cover it with a tea towel/cover and keep it in a calm dark place - then either call 1300 ANIMAL for pickup or drop the lorikeet at your local vet. How to care for an injured bird while waiting to drop it off to local vet/RSPCA
To volunteer at the RSPCA in their animal hospital during the lorikeet influx (October thru June), why not go even further and become an accredited wildlife carer, volunteer at Wildlife Rescue Queensland for training.
AND finally... be hands on and contribute on the Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome 'Citizen Project' by sending in smartphone observations of lorikeet feeding sources to help identify the disease's cause. Download the iNaturalist phone app at either the Google or Apple stores.