Lorikeet Paralysis Syndrome (LPS) is a disease occurring in wild rainbow lorikeets (Trichoglossus haematodus) that causes the birds to become paralysed and unable to fly.
Our citizen scientist research project explores why lorikeet paralysis syndrome occurs in the southern Queensland and northern New South Wales regions of Australia.
This project is generously supported by the New South Wales Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES).
The disease is seasonal, occurring between October and June, with the highest number of cases happening between December and February. This results in thousands of rainbow lorikeets being admitted into care each year across south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales (NSW).
Rainbow lorikeets with LPS initially require intensive care followed by long-term rehabilitation, wearing on the resources of both veterinarians and wildlife carers.
The cause of LPS is unknown with research unable to identify an infectious agent or man-made toxin as the causative agent. However, 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.
The seasonality of the disease suggests a blooming/fruiting period of the toxic plant that occurs during 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.
6 Species of different rainbow lorikeet identified in the wild
155km sq Approximation of 155,400km squared area to be observed as part of project
For information about the project, please contact david.phalen@sydney.edu.au
