The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has confirmed it is looking into the deaths of birds brought to it in recent weeks.

It follows recent reports of a number of dead raptors being found in an area stretching from Portland to Ocean Grove, including at least 15 dead birds found in the Killarney area over a two-week period.

DELWP program manager compliance operations Mark Breguet said a wedge-tail eagle and an owl had been sent to University of Melbourne experts for necropsy.

“Results, including a potential cause of death, are expected in coming weeks,” he said.

DELWP has said an increase in raptor deaths was common in winter due to the use of rat poison. 

However, Killarney resident Viva-Lyn Lenehan said the bird deaths also coincided with Parks Victoria’s fox baiting program in the Belfast Coastal Reserve area.

Ms Lenehan said that in the space of two weeks nine owls, four hawks and two eagles had been found within a four-kilometre section along the Belfast coast sand dunes.

“I am sure more have been found before and since,” she said.

“It’s an intensive (fox baiting) program this year… and this year in particular, unlike any other years, there seems to be a lot of deaths of birds of prey.

“People are picking them up in their backyards, their paddocks and on the roadsides… it’s just heartbreaking.

“I’m not a scientist and I’m not a veterinarian, I’m just asking the question (if the deaths could be linked to fox baiting).”

Parks Victoria Shipwreck Coast and Hinterland chief ranger Michael Smith said the organisation had a “rigorous process” for approving the use and application of 1080 fox baits in the Killarney area, with methods specifically selected because of the low risk of off-target or secondary poisoning.

“Parks Victoria’s fox baiting program is part of its regular pest animal control regime, and is consistent with other fox baiting programs conducted safely throughout the state,” he said. 

“Parks Victoria has yet to be provided with evidence to suggest otherwise for this program and is not in a position to comment until any DELWP investigation is concluded.” 

Birdlife Australia said inland drought conditions were likely leading to a population spike of barn owls in the south-west.

The birds could be starving due to insufficient rodent numbers to sustain the population, or rat baits could be causing secondary poisoning, the organisation said.

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