
Our Rainbow Lorikeets are colourful boisterous birds full of personality, however recently have you noticed some listless birds that donʻt want to fly?
4ZZZ's Eliot Rifkin chatted with Claude Lacasse a veterinarian at Qld RSPCA about Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome affecting Southeast Queensland
For a deep dive...
Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome (LPS) is a disease occurring in wild rainbow lorikeets that causes the birds to become paralysed and unable to fly. This disease is seasonal, occurring between October and June, with the highest number of cases happening between December and February. Here's an article of Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome by University of Sydney that partners with RSPCA Qld.
If you find an affected Lorikeet, place it in a box and cover it with a tea towel/cover and keep it in a calm dark place - then either call 1300 ANIMAL for pickup or drop the lorikeet at your local vet. How to care for an injured bird while waiting to drop it off to local vet/RSPCA
To volunteer at the RSPCA in their animal hospital during the lorikeet influx (October thru June), why not go even further and become an accredited wildlife carer, volunteer at Wildlife Rescue Queensland for training.
AND finally... be hands on and contribute on the Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome 'Citizen Project' by sending in smartphone observations of lorikeet feeding sources to help identify the disease's cause. Download the iNaturalist phone app at either the Google or Apple stores.

Your 11AM Zedlines with Ava, Charlie and Yuchen! (Image via Wikimedia Commons)

Your 10AM Zedlines with Asha, Dan and Ethan! (Image via Wikimedia Commons)

Your 9AM Zedlines with Ava, Charlie and Yuchen! (Image via Wikimedia Commons)

Your 8AM Zedlines with Asha, Dan and Ethan! (Image via Wikimedia Commons)

Your 11AM Zedlines with Eden and Alec
IMG: From r/Brisbane from u/Dense_Passenger4174

Your 10AM Zedlines with Vivek and Eden
IMG: From wikimedia under CC4.0

Your 9AM Zedlines with Alec and Eden
IMG: From Pauline Hanson on X

Your 8AM Zedlines with Alec and Vivek
IMG: From wikimedia commons under CC3.0

Your 11AM Zedlines with Georgie, Lachlan, and Hailey

Your 10AM Zedlines with Georgie and Hailey

Your 9AM Zedlines with Lachlan and Hailey.

Your 8AM Zedlines with Lachlan and Georgie
Image Credit: Neil Sequira

Your 10AM Zedlines with Mack, Clementine and Livinia

Your 9AM Zedlines with Livinia, Mack and Clementine

Your 8AM Zedlines with Clementine and Livinia

Your 11am Zedlines with Sarah and Alannah

Your 10am Zedlines with Niamh and Miko

Your 9am Zedlines with Sarah and Alannah
image: Wikkimedia commons
Your 8am Zedlines with Niamh and Miko
image: Wikkimedia commons

Your 11AM Zedlines with Yuchen, Dan and Ethan
IMG: From wikimedia commons under CC3.0

Your 10AM Zedlines with Asha, Ava and Charlie

Your 9AM Zedlines with Dan, Yuchen and Ethan
IMG: From wikimedia commons under CC3.0

Your 8AM Zedlines with Asha, Ava and Charlie (Image via Wikimedia Commons)

Your 11AM Zedlines with HG, Sarah, and Eden

Your 9AM Zedlines with HG, Alec, Eden, Sarah, and Vivek

Your 8AM Zedlines with Alec, Vivek, and Sarah

Your 11AM Zedlines with Cass, Hailey and Georgie.

Your 10AM Zedlines with Georgie and Hailey.