PREVIEW

Dozens Of Rainbow Lorikeets Saved From Syndrome That Made Them Fall From The Sky. Dozens of rainbow lorikeets have been released back into the wild in Australia after a paralysis syndrome caused them to fall from the sky. Over 200 of the birds were rescued by a branch of the animal rescue organisation RSPCA in Queensland, after hundreds of birds began to fall mid-flight. Named Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome (LPS), the mystery illness has killed thousands of birds in the area, stretching from Bundaberg, Queensland to Grafton, New South Wales since it was first identified in 2010. Significant falls of lorikeets usually occur between October and June each year, with most severe cases falling between December and February. RSPCA Queensland wildlife recovery director Dr Tim Portis said the organisation usually treats a few hundred rainbow lorikeets per year but this year saw 3,850 lorikeets treated or euthanised. Nursing a rainbow lorikeet with LPS back to health takes approximately four to eight weeks if the bird is brought in early enough to save. Professor of Wildlife Health and Conservation David Phalen floated the idea that summer-fruiting plants might be to blame.