We STILL call on the Environment Minister, Steve Dimopoulos, to lead an urgent, well-resourced effort to halt Albert Park’s avian botulism outbreak, which has already returned for the summer ahead. 

 

 

L29 died on January 12, just one of ~400 birds lost so far

UPDATED OCTOBER 16, 2025 - INCLUDING LATEST DEATH FIGURES

The silent and deadly problem... 

Albert Park Lake is the postcard perfect backdrop for the Australian F1 Grand Prix and for other world spotlight moments. 

But the lake has also been silently hosting a deadly disease, avian botulism, claiming the lives of at least 380 birds and countless fish. 

Mr Dimopoulos is the:

• Minister for Environment,
• Minister for Outdoor Recreation, and
• Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events. 

He ticks all the boxes to lead this response, as his portfolios are directly impacted.  (His Victorian Fisheries Authority has been continually stocking the lake with introduced species of fish, and encouraging family fishing activities, while the lake is a toxic mess of uncontrolled avian botulism.) 

What is happening…

Since mid-December, 2024, dead ducks and other waterbirds - including at least 2 black swans -  have been appearing daily on the lake surface, along with fish of all sizes.  

Parks Victoria was slow to act initially, but has improved dramatically now that the deaths have returned in Spring - well before the summer heat when botulism is usually at its worst.

In the three weeks since mid September, 130 bird carcasses were collected. This included 100+ ibises found dead on Gunn Island.

*NOTE: Parks Vic rangers don't have a boat of their own. They have to get other departments involved just to arrange a visit to the island to check what might be happening in their own lake.  

New signs have gone up, albeit hand-made and stuck all around the park with cable ties. Park users are urged to report ANY body finds to the Albert Park rangers. 

 

 

 

Park users have the traumatic task of seeking help when they find dying birds, usually limp and paralysed, close to an edge of the lake. Especially those who visit at dawn or evenings, when help is hard to find. 

Thankfully, there have been a couple of successful saves due to park users calling help. 

What needs to happen… 

The Victorian government needs to treat this outbreak as a serious threat to a Melbourne landmark.  

It’s bad enough for park regulars to deal with sick and dead wildlife, but certainly not a good look for summer tourists and Grand Prix crowds.  

We will all be locked out for 3 weeks during the 2026 GP, so we have to trust the AGPC with the care of our birds. 

When botulism finds a good host location, it tends to return every year as the weather warms up and water levels get low. Our current levels are lower now, AFTER WINTER, than they were in January and February when the botulism took off. 

WE CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE 400+ BIRDS EVERY YEAR.

The lake needs:

•        24/7 monitoring and response for the immediate treatment and testing of sick animals 
•        Faster spotting and removal of any bird or fish bodies, without waiting for members of the public to call them in. 
•        Cleaner, less polluted, deeper, aerated water to reduce the prospects for the botulism to thrive
•        More staff, equipment and other resources for all the requirements above. (The rangers need a boat to clear carcasses and check the island regularly!)
•        Better communication to park users and the people of Victoria about what has been unfolding    
• Stop stocking our very sick lake with fish and adding to the problems. 

In short, there needs to be a sense of urgency and commitment, led by the government with community support. 

Please sign this petition and add a reason for signing it. Please share with concerned friends. It IS being seen by the right people and they ARE slowly starting to respond.