Fiji Mynah bird deaths explained

The cause of death of the Mynah birds which were recently caught on social media has been determined following a post-mortem.

The post-mortem concluded that the deaths of the Mynah birds were due to blunt trauma.

Minister for Agriculture Dr Mahendra Reddy noted that the post-mortem report concludes that in the absence of microscopic examination of tissue to study the manifestations of disease otherwise termed as histopathology, the gross finding suggested the cause of death in the Mynah birds presented was blunt trauma either from the collision into a static object, the ground or other bird.

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The Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with Animals Fiji investigated the reports of the mysterious deaths of the Mynah Birds, which were widely shared on social media and caused rumours on the bird's cause of death stemming from COVID-19 and the 5G Network.

Six Mynah birds were reported to have fallen to the ground in Peceli Settlement, Savusavu and five of the birds appeared disorientated before the fatal collapse, however, the sixth Mynah bird appeared disorientated but then recovered and flew away.

There were no reports of other bird or mammal deaths in the area, no history of pesticide/herbicide use, no nearby power lines or reports of lightning, however, there were trees nearby.

Out of the presented birds, bird 1 and 2 had evidence of blunt trauma to the cranium, bird 3 had evidence of blunt trauma to the cranium and right atrium rupture. Causes of death appearing to be blunt trauma.

Reddy reassures the general public that the cause of death found in these birds is conclusive of blunt trauma and no other causes.

The post-mortem and forensic reports were conducted by Animals Fiji at their Savusavu Office.

-Release