A serious case of animal cruelty is being investigated in Neuquén. 300 parrots were killed, found in the fields of the area known as El Alamito, in the north of the town of Chos Malal.
Authorities are investigating whether the birds were poisoned. In addition, local residents claim that the death of parrots and wild ducks was noticeable in recent weeks.
300 parrots killed in Neuquén: what happened
Authorities from the Wildlife Department have started investigating the situation, and a park ranger has toured the region to carry out a preliminary assessment.
The parrots, as reported by FM Patagonia, were “scattered everywhere, even in the stream where the locals get their water.”
Neighbors claimed that they were given corn and other poisoned food, which caused their death when ingested. They also warned that their corpses attracted scavenger animals to the area.
It happened in Chos Malal, Neuquén. (Photo: Wikipedia).
In statements to local media, Magalí Sepúlveda, administrative director of Regional Wildlife, mentioned that she received a report from a neighbor who “warned about the large number of dead parrots.”
“As a result, today (Tuesday) park rangers from Las Ovejas and Varvarco went to verify the situation, but they cannot do anything because by protocol SENASA must come and perform the necessary analysis and provide us with a report,” she explained.
“In the meantime, we ask the entire community to be cautious,” warned the official. “We want them not to approach the birds or the water sources, because we know that many people drink from there and nothing has been ruled out yet, so we do not know if it is safe for consumption,” she added.
