❗ Biosecurity alert - avian botulism
Signs of avian botulism, a disease that causes paralysis and death in birds, have been identified in multiple dead and dying ducks found at Waikanae Beach’s Pharazyn Reserve.
We’ve collected carcasses from the oxidation ponds, which are already predominantly closed to the public, and erected signage to ensure people are aware of the issue.
Wild and captive bird populations, most notably waterfowl, can contract the disease through the carcasses of those killed by avian botulism but thankfully it does not cross over to humans. It can however make cats and dogs sick if they eat a dead bird infected with the disease.
Please keep away from any dead birds you find in or near our waterways and let us know on 0800 486 486 so we can remove and dispose of the carcasses safely.
We’ll continue to monitor the site on a regular basis, removing any newly deceased birds. It may take some time, but we will let you know as soon as possible when we find out the cause of the current mortalities.
Poll: Would you rather: Christmas in summer forever or winter forever?
Just a bit of a fun poll to get you thinking.
If you had to live out your Christmas days, would you prefer it was a summer Christmas or a winter Christmas?
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62.3% Summer
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36.3% Winter
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1.4% Other - I'll share below
⚠️ DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. If you love them, don't leave them. ⚠️
It's a message we share time and time again, and this year, we're calling on you to help us spread that message further.
Did you know that calls to SPCA about dogs left inside hot cars made up a whopping 11% of all welfare calls last summer? This is a completely preventable issue, and one which is causing hundreds of dogs (often loved pets) to suffer.
Here are some quick facts to share with the dog owners in your life:
👉 The temperature inside a car can heat to over 50°C in less than 15 minutes.
👉 Parking in the shade and cracking windows does little to help on a warm day. Dogs rely on panting to keep cool, which they can't do in a hot car.
👉 This puts dogs at a high risk of heatstroke - a serious condition for dogs, with a mortality rate between 39%-50%.
👉 It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress. You can be fined, and prosecuted.
SPCA has created downloadable resources to help you spread the message even further. Posters, a flyer, and a social media tile can be downloaded from our website here: www.spca.nz...
We encourage you to use these - and ask your local businesses to display the posters if they can. Flyers can be kept in your car and handed out as needed.
This is a community problem, and one we cannot solve alone. Help us to prevent more tragedies this summer by sharing this post.
On behalf of the animals - thank you ❤️
Best way to use leftovers?
I'm sure you've got some excess ham at home or cold roast potatoes.
What are some of your favourite ways to use leftover food from Christmas day? Share below.
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