Insecticide Cause Of 200 Bird Deaths
12:01 pm, 23 Jan 2007
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Scientific tests have identified an insecticide as being responsible for more than 200 bird deaths in Havelock North.
In November about 200 sparrows, starlings, blackbirds, ducks and magpies were found dead, mainly in Anderson Park.
Hawke's Bay Regional Council says tests show the birds, and a dog and cat, died from ingesting a chemical called Mevinphos.
Mevinphos used to be licensed in New Zealand under the trade name of Phosdrin for the control of aphids on a variety of vegetable crops. Some growers also used to mix it with wheat to kill birds.
The regional council says the chemical has not been legal for use for many years.
12:01 pm, 23 Jan 2007
Printer friendly version Print this story
Scientific tests have identified an insecticide as being responsible for more than 200 bird deaths in Havelock North.
In November about 200 sparrows, starlings, blackbirds, ducks and magpies were found dead, mainly in Anderson Park.
Hawke's Bay Regional Council says tests show the birds, and a dog and cat, died from ingesting a chemical called Mevinphos.
Mevinphos used to be licensed in New Zealand under the trade name of Phosdrin for the control of aphids on a variety of vegetable crops. Some growers also used to mix it with wheat to kill birds.
The regional council says the chemical has not been legal for use for many years.