Dead and dying Port Pirie birds and bats exposed to lead at 3,000 times acceptable levels

Rainbow lorikeets. Dozens of birds, as well as bats, were found dead in Port Pirie with test showing they were exposed to lead concentrations thousands of times above acceptable levels. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

South Australia’s Environment Protection Authority did not open a formal investigation into what may have killed dozens of birds in Port Pirie, despite tests showing some of the animals had been exposed to 3,000 times the acceptable level of lead.

In July 2024, residents of the industrial town raised the alarm when they found dead and dying native birds and flying foxes in local parks and green spaces.