Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome Project

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 results in thousands of rainbow lorikeets being admitted into care each year across south-eastern Queensland (QLD) and north-eastern New South Wales (NSW).

The cause of LPS is unknown, however, researchers are now exploring the possibility that LPS may be caused by ingestion of a toxic plant that occurs in southern Queensland and northern NSW. This is where our CSI Citizen Scientists like you can step in! The LPS study group is undertaking a project to investigate and discover the potential plant species causing this disease.

We require citizen scientists within the designated study site to report observations on iNaturalist of what plant species/food sources the rainbow lorikeets were observed feeding on. This will assist as in identifying what plants or other food sources researchers should sample and test in further studies.

The study area for this project will cover from Bundaberg QLD to Grafton NSW, and include the following local government areas:

QLD:
• Bundaberg regional council
• North burnett regional council
• Fraser coast regional council
• Cherbourg Aboriginal shire council
• South burnett regional council
• Gympie regional council
• Noosa shire council
• Sunshine coast regional council
• Somerset regional council
• Toowoomba regional council
• Lockyer Valley regional council
• Moreton Bay regional council
• Ipswich city council
• Brisbane city council
• Gold Coast city council
• Redland city council
• Logan City Council
• Scenic Rim Regional council
• Southern Downs regional council

NSW
• Tweed Shire Council
• Kyogle Council
• Tenterfield Shire Council
• Glen Innes Severn Council
• Clarence Valley Council
• Richmond Valley Council
• Lismore City Council
• Ballina Shire Council
• Byron Shire Council

If you live within the study area, we ask that that you add your observations of plants/other food sources on which you see Rainbow lorikeets feeding on for plant identification. We will need three photos of: the whole plant (1), its leaves (2) and its fruit and or flowers (3). We will also need the date, time and location that the Rainbow Lorikeets were feeding. It is with your help that we can come to understand what is causing this puzzling disease!

You can learn more and keep up to date on the Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome Project here: https://www.sydney.edu.au/science/our-research/research-areas/veterinary-science/lorikeet-paralysis-syndrome-project.html

This important project examining Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome would not be possible without the generous support of the New South Wales Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service (WIRES). less ↑