In March, scores of black backed gulls lay dead or dying near the estuary at Kuku Beach. Autopsy results for seagulls struck with a mystery illness in Horowhenua have proven inconclusive. READ MORE:* Seagulls dying at Horowhenua beaches - again* Poisoning of seagulls on Horowhenua beaches could be deliberate* Birds on Horowhenua beaches still stricken by mystery illnessMurray Wilson/Stuff In March, gulls were found dead on Horowhenua beaches. A ministry spokesman said its role was to make sure the birds weren't afflicted by an exotic disease. Testing had ruled out potential exotic diseases, introduced or new to New Zealand, including avian influenza and Newcastle disease.

Source: Stuff September 16, 2020 03:00 UTC