South Australia’s Environment Protection Authority did not open a formal investigation into what may have killed dozens of birds in Port Pirie, despite tests showing some of the animals had been exposed to 3,000 times the acceptable level of lead.
In July 2024, residents of the industrial town raised the alarm when they found dead and dying native birds and flying foxes in local parks and green spaces.
Pictures of dead and sick animals were posted on social media, and testing by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australia (Pirsa) later confirmed they had died from acute lead toxicosis.
Autopsy reports on two bats, a lorikeet and a honey eater obtained via freedom of information (FoI) requests show the animals died with massive amounts of lead in their systems.
Notes from one of the bats’ autopsies recorded “the nasal passages are distended by fine pale white gritty material admixed with red exudate”. Testing on one bat’s kidney showed about 3,000 times the acceptable level of lead, while another showed about 1,500 times acceptable levels.
Wayne Boardman, an associate professor of wildlife, biodiversity and ecosystem health at the University of Adelaide, said that in his opinion the testing showed that “the scale of the exposure was highly significant” and that it was probable the animals died within 24 to 48 hours of exposure.
“It’s not surprising these animals died acutely and were easily found by members of the public,” Boardman said. “It also indicates that, at the time, humans, other wildlife species, dogs and cats, livestock and marine wildlife would likely have been exposed to significant levels of lead in the air.”
“This is a public health issue and potentially an animal welfare issue. This lead exposure should not be taken lightly.”
Boardman, who has experience in forensic investigations and working with bat populations, said the evidence suggested that at some time towards the end of July or early August, lead dust had probably settled on flowering plants that attract flying foxes. When these plants blossomed, the animals ingested the dust as they fed.
He said it was probable that a lack of rain meant the lead remained in the environment and that “given a timely” investigation comparing Bureau of Meteorology weather data and known bat feeding locations, “the site of the source of the lead on flowering contaminated plants and trees could have been determined”.
Other documents reveal that Pirsa first contacted the EPA on 10 October 2024 to alert it to the test results and ask whether it would undertake an investigation. Pirsa’s authority to investigate extends to disease control within animal populations, not heavy metal pollution or regulatory issues, which fall under the EPA’s remit.
The EPA declined. In a response marked “sensitive” sent a day later at 4.19pm, the EPA said that “to contemplate any involvement” it would require the full disclosure of all available evidence.
“Any specific lead point source that may have caused this ‘event’ would likely be extremely difficult to locate/identify, and the EPA would not be in a position to offer assistance to Pirsa in this regard,” it said.
Port Pirie is home to one of the world’s largest lead refineries operated by the Belgium-based Nyrstar that serves as the major employer in the town. It has been in continuous operation since 1889.
In response to questions from Guardian Australia, an EPA spokesperson said the agency was “made aware of this incident by Pirsa as part of their investigations”.
Documents obtained under freedom of information laws from the EPA show that 13 days later the agency began to consider the issue more closely after it was raised by the South Australian Chief Veterinary Officer. Management within the EPA then assigned an officer to make additional inquiries.
“This is pretty random – but I am wondering if you can help me with it?” the request said.
These inquiries appear to have involved following up with six contacts suggested by the chief veterinary officer over three weeks, with the final contact made on the day the officer reported back to management. The officer was told the EPA’s leadership did not want them to “raise [it] with anyone from Nyrstar at this point in time”.
An EPA spokesperson later told Guardian Australia: “The EPA followed up on this matter by interviewing stakeholders, including Pirsa, the local council, vets and relevant animal welfare NGOs but was unable to establish any leads as to the specific source of the acute lead toxicity,”
FOI documents show these inquiries concluded with a report to EPA management that recommended “no further investigation should be undertaken by EPA staff in relation to this matter, other than discussions as needed between Nyrstar staff and the Principal Adviser – Port Pirie and Nyrstar and the Senior Environmental Advisor – Port Pirie and Nyrstar”.
“In relation to the Nyrstar lead and multi-metal smelter, the EPA’s primary role is to ensure compliance with the licence issued under the Environment Protection Act. The EPA continues to monitor Nyrstar’s compliance with its licence,” an EPA spokesperson said.
Nyrstar was contacted for comment. The company reissued a statement it provided to Guardian Australia last December saying: “We understand that the source of lead has not been able to be determined.”
South Australia’s chief veterinary officer and chief health officer were contacted for comment.
