MYSTERY still surrounds the poisoning deaths of about 150 corellas in Armidale seven weeks ago.
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But so far while they haven’t found the corella killer, investigators have revealed that a pesticide was used to kill the birds.
On January 7, hundreds of the white native parrots were found across the city after ingesting what was believed to be poisoned seed mix.
The birds, similar in appearance to the white cockatoo, had started dropping in the morning around several Armidale parks.
Brown St and the Watson Park area, the Civic Park area near the Creeklands and Albion Park near the TAFE campus had been the first zones where the dead birds were found.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) initially conducted door knocks with local police around the affected areas.
EPA North branch director Gary Davey said they were continuing to work with police and the Armidale Dumaresq Council, which first reported the deaths, to investigate the potential deliberate poisoning.
Mr Davey said results from seed testing and post mortem samples showed the birds were targeted with a pesticide.
“The EPA has made a number of inquiries but has not been able to find those responsible,” he said.
An Armidale couple in Kirkwood St even offered a $200 reward for the corella killer, or killers.
Mr Davey said there had been no further reports of bird poisonings in the Armidale area.
He said native wildlife was protected in NSW and it was against the law to harm them. Corellas are known to flock in their thousands and are considered pests by many.
Armidale, Narrabri and Gunnedah residents have, in the past, complained about the birds damaging power lines, bitumen roads and golfing greens.
One council in Victoria had even attempted to cull them.
The EPA is continuing to appeal for information, which can be reported at 131 555.