A Silent Threat in Sydney's Skies
Sydney's Powerful Owls are being threatened by a silent and hidden danger: secondary poisoning from common rat poisons (SGARs). When predators eat poisoned rodents, they too die a slow, painful death.
Their Eyes Are On Us
Sydney's threatened Powerful Owls are being silently poisoned. A simple email to the City of Sydney councillors can give them a voice.
92%
of sampled Powerful Owls test positive for these deadly poisons.
What's at stake
In response to this crisis, City of Sydney's Greens Councillor Matthew Thompson has put forward a motion to protect the city's Powerful Owl population by eliminating deadly poisons. We now have a critical window to contact Council decision-makers, urging them to support this life-saving motion.
Toxic Web Across Sydney
~950
bait stations deployed across Sydney's public lands using five different SGAR products
Critical Population
20-30
breeding pairs of threatened Powerful Owls remain in the entire Sydney region
Perfect Timing
July 2025
Sydney's SGAR contract expired, creating the perfect opportunity for wildlife-safe reform
Sydney's Beloved Wildlife Under Threat
Meet just some of the iconic species who call Sydney home – each facing a cruel death from rat poisoning:
Powerful Owls
Sydney's largest owl and a true urban icon. These magnificent hunters can live for over 20 years, but only 20-30 breeding pairs remain in the entire Sydney region.
92% test positive for SGARs – every recorded death is linked to rat poisoning
Brushtail Possums
Sydney's most recognisable marsupial neighbours. These intelligent creatures are often found sharing urban spaces with residents, from backyards to roof cavities.
Eating poisoned rats leads to internal bleeding and prolonged, painful deaths
Kookaburras
Australia's laughing icons and beloved backyard visitors. These fierce hunters help control rodent populations naturally – when they're not being poisoned by their prey.
Secondary poisoning through eating contaminated prey destroys their ability to hunt and care for young
Rainbow Lorikeets
Colourful, charismatic parrots who bring joy to Sydney's parks and gardens. Despite their nectar-focused diet, they're still vulnerable to SGAR contamination through environmental exposure.
Exposure to SGARs causes internal bleeding, leaving them too weak to fly, feed, or care for their young
Carpet Pythons
Sydney's natural rodent controllers, these impressive snakes can live for over 30 years. They're perfectly designed to control rodent populations without any human intervention.
Eating poisoned prey causes severe internal bleeding – turning their vital role as natural rodent controllers into a death sentence
Magpies
Highly intelligent birds known for their complex social structures and songs. These adaptable animals thrive in Sydney's urban environment and form strong bonds with local communities.
Opportunistic feeding makes them highly vulnerable to consuming poisoned rodents
And at least 24+ more protected native species
The lethal SGARs threat extends to every corner of our ecosystem. From amphibians and reptiles to other birds and mammals, countless species suffer from the same deadly poisons.
Your email can help save Sydney's Powerful Owls.
Councillor Matthew Thompson's motion "Protecting the City's Powerful Owl Population" calls for the City to investigate eliminating SGARs and explore wildlife-safe alternatives. This is our chance to align Sydney's practices with its environmental leadership.
When councillors see emails flooding their inboxes from concerned Sydney residents, they'll know the community demands an end to the poisoning of our threatened wildlife.
How it works - in 30 seconds
Step 1: Add Your Details
Just add your name and postcode. This confirms you're a local resident.
Step 2: Review the Email
We've pre-written an email for you. You can edit this email or send it as is.
Step 3: Click Send
Your message is sent directly to all Sydney Councillors and key executive staff.
Why Sydney must act now
Sydney has a unique opportunity to demonstrate environmental leadership and protect its urban biodiversity. Here's why action is urgent:
- Contract renewal opportunity: Councils contract expired in July 2025
- Proven alternatives exist: Biological controls and wildlife-safe methods work
- Environmental leadership: Sydney can set the standard for wildlife protection
- Global impact: Sydney's decision influences other cities worldwide
Australia's leading bird conservation charity, BirdLife Australia, is also calling for an Australia-wide ban on SGARs.
This motion aligns perfectly with Sydney's Urban Ecology Strategic Action Plan while addressing a critical gap between environmental policy and practice.
What the evidence shows
Scientific research and Sydney's own data confirm the urgent need for SGAR elimination:
SGARs are killing Sydney's threatened species
92% of Powerful Owls in Sydney have SGARs in their systems, with every recorded death linked to these poisons. Sydney's use of five SGAR products across 950 bait stations is systematically poisoning our urban ecosystem.
Sydney Council acknowledges the risks
In recent responses to Questions on Notice, the City acknowledged "the risks associated with second-generation poisons and the potential for secondary poisoning of some animal species."
Wildlife-safe alternatives are already working
The City already uses first-generation baits in parks and electronic smart boxes that capture rodents without toxic baits. Dr Viyanna Leo's biological control program at North Head Sanctuary proves native species can provide effective, sustainable rodent management.
Public transparency is compromised
The draft Pesticide Use Notification Plan proposes exempting "baits" from public notification, leaving residents unaware of nearly 1,000 bait stations across public lands and unable to protect their companion animals.
