Mystery Illness Leaves Thousands of Lorikeets, Flying Foxes Unable to Fly or Blink

A Rainbow Lorikeet sitting on the flower of a Banksia Ashbyi shrub. Greg Wood/Getty Images

WARNING: Distressing images below.

A mysterious illness has hospitalised record numbers of Australian rainbow lorikeets and flying foxes in south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales.

The syndrome, which affects the birds’ ability to fly and eat, has been termed Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome (LPS). The cause of the condition remains unknown.

Symptoms include the inability to fly, varying loss of motion in wings and legs, hopping or wobbling, and voice changes.

In serious cases, the birds are unable to blink and swallow, causing them to die from dehydration and starvation.

The syndrome is seasonal, with cases rising during spring and summer.

Professor David Phalen, a researcher from the University of Sydney, said the highest number of cases occurs between December and February.

The RSPCA has identified the syndrome in nearly 6,000 lorikeets since the start of 2024, with 349 lorikeets treated since the first week of December 2024 alone.

The condition primarily affects wildlife in south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales (NSW).

“Every summer we treat hundreds of lorikeets with LPS. The syndrome is mainly present in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, and some in Gympie,” RSPCA Queensland Wildlife Veterinary Director Tim Portas said.

A paralysed rainbow lorikeet capable of minimal movement but largely unable to move, or even open its eyes, in Brisbane, Australia on Dec. 24, 2024. Daniel Y. Teng/The Epoch Times

A paralysed rainbow lorikeet capable of minimal movement but largely unable to move, or even open its eyes, in Brisbane, Australia on Dec. 24, 2024. Daniel Y. Teng/The Epoch Times

What’s Causing the Paralysis?

The cause of LPS is currently unknown, but ongoing research is being done to identify the cause.

“We are currently collecting intestinal contents and faeces from severely affected lorikeets and working with Universities to perform plant DNA studies in the hope of finding what lorikeets are eating that could be causing the disease,” Portas said.

Phalen said that current research is unable to identify whether the cause is natural or man-made. However, he said it is probable that LPS is caused by a toxin in the lorikeets’ diet.

“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.”

He added that the seasonality of the disease suggests a “blooming/fruiting period” of the toxic plant that occurs from October to June.

“The distribution of the locations where lorikeets are found is not random, suggesting that if a toxic plant is the cause of LPS, the plant occurs in some areas but not others.”

Flying Foxes Also Succumbing

Lorikeets are not the only animals being paralysed. The RSPCA admitted around 108 paralysed flying foxes to its wildlife hospital in the first week of December 2024.

Like LPS, the condition has been termed Flying Fox Paralysis Syndrome (FFPS).

According to Wildlife Health Australia, FFPS and LPS happen during the same time of year in similar locations. It is unclear if these conditions have similar causes, but the similarities are of interest to researchers as flying foxes and lorikeets share food sources.

‘I’ve Found a Paralysed Animal, What Do I Do?’

If you find a lorikeet with LPS symptoms, Wildlife Health Australia recommends avoiding contact with the bird.

Instead, if it is safe to do so, record what you see, including its location, pictures, and videos.

Afterwards, it is advisable to call the RSPCA Animal Emergency Hotline on 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) or the nearest wildlife carer.

For sick flying foxes, it is advisable not to touch them due to the risk of exposure to diseases, such as Australian bat lyssavirus.