The RSPCB released a press announcement today warning the public of the threat of drug addicted birds. “Reports have confirmed that the flock of dead starling gizzards in Romania were alcoholics,” said Jennifer Streller-Anson, the charity’s CEO. “This has raised concerns that birds across the world may move onto harder substances, such as crack cocaine or ecstasy. Birds face similar day to day pressures as humans, and with these pressures comes the temptation of narcotics. This is particularly serious during the winter, when the dark and the stress of migration can push some birds into depression. For many of these creatures illegal narcotics are the only way out of the endless cycle.”
Questions have also been raised over the flocks of dead birds in Sweden and the USA during New Years. Researchers have suggested that they could have gone on a ‘drugs binge’ to celebrate and died from an overdose. “The problem is that many of the street drugs that birds ingest are not regulated. This means they could be cut with anything from aspirin to rat poison,” said Professor David Nutt. “This is an unfortunate state of affairs and has led to many birds suffering from overdoses.”
The charity warned the public to be on the lookout for birds behaving strangely. The public should not approach birds that are grinding their beaks, flying erratically in circles or with large dilated pupils, as they may be dangerous. Instead immediately call the RSPCB, give your location and a special Avian Narcotics Unit will arrive to handle the situation.
