Mystery syndrome killing rainbow lorikeets and flying foxes leaves scientists baffled

In both lorikeets and flying foxes, the conditions cause hind leg and flight paralysis. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Thousands of rainbow lorikeets and hundreds of flying foxes have been hospitalised in Queensland in the past year with a mysterious paralysis that can affect the animals’ ability to fly, swallow and even breathe.

Lorikeet paralysis syndrome has struck birds in Queensland and New South Wales since at least 2012, and a similar syndrome was identified in flying foxes five years ago.