The amount of dead birds dropping from the sky seems to be increasing in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro.
This is according to well-known snake handler and owner of Sandula Conservation, Mark Marshall.
He says since the first reports of carcasses found in Gqeberha his phone has been ringing off the hook.
More than 150 birds have dropped dead in parts of the Eastern Cape and the cause of death is still unknown.
The SPCA in Qonce (King Williams Town), Marshall and Neville Ganes owner of a snake and reptile rescue organisation have been working with the provincial state veterinary services to collect samples for testing.
Ganes was the first person to notice that birds were dropping dead and raised the alarm.
The number of dead birds reported in Qonce has now risen to 99 birds with Eastern London and Gqeberha cases trailing behind at 35 reported for each area.
Marshall said that several chickens and a goose were found dead in the Qonce area as well.
The SPCA’s Annette Miller told AlgoaFm News on Friday that the State lab in Gauteng requested more carcasses samples to be collected despite more than 20 samples already sent earlier this week.
The public has been urged to not pick up the birds and if they must, to wear a mask and surgical gloves.
The SPCA also advised that pet birds be kept in their cages inside the house to avoid interaction with wild birds.
Marshall has also asked that the public stop feeding birds in their gardens until the cause is known.
“It looks like the numbers in Port Elizabeth are rising. Until the test results have been released it is advised that we practise caution by picking up the dead birds found with a plastic bag and dispose of it; refrain from feeding birds in your garden; remove birdbaths. I know this goes against our willingness to care for garden birds but until we know what is killing them we should be proactive in this,” he said.
If residents find any dead birds they have been advised to take a photo accompanied by all relevant information and WhatsApp it to 082 2619 280.
AlgoaFM News made contact with the director for the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Dr Cebisa Mnqeta earlier this week, who was unaware of the situation.
