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Man charged after alleged act of cruelty on an Ibis bird in Sydney

Hugo TimmsNCA NewsWire
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Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: NCA NewsWire

A man has landed himself in custody after a brazen alleged attempt to steal an Ibis and perform cruel acts against it outside a Sydney train station.

Police launched an investigation after numerous reports a man allegedly captured an ibis bird outside Eastwood Railway station in the city’s northwestern suburbs on Tuesday.

It is alleged a 60-year-old man tied a rope around the bird’s feet and neck before trying to place it into a wheeled trolley bag.

Members of the public intervened and managed to save the bird, which was reported to have a damaged beak and was bleeding.

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The man allegedly tied up an ibis. Picture: NSW Police
Camera IconA man has been charged after attempting to steal an Ibis in Sydney. Picture NSW Police. Credit: NCA NewsWire
The man allegedly tied up an ibis. Picture NSW Police
Camera IconThe man allegedly tied up an ibis. Picture NSW Police Credit: NCA NewsWire

It’s understood the bird flew away prior to the arrival of police and WIRES officers.

The man was arrested from a home in Beauchamp Rd, Maroubra about 9.30pm Friday.

He was taken to Maroubra Police Station where he was charged with two counts of harm or attempted harm and committing an act of cruelty on an animal.

He was denied bail and will appear in the Parramatta Local Court on Saturday.

SYDNEY AUSTRALIA - NCA NewsWire Photos MARCH 29, 2023: An Ibis bird, fondly known in Australian slang as a "bin chicken". Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar
Camera IconThe iconic Sydney ibis. NCA NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar Credit: NCA NewsWire

What is a bin chicken?

The white Australian Ibis, sometimes referred to as a bin chicken, is a protected species under the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act.

They have become better known by their affectionate nickname the “bin chicken” due to the fact they are often found picking through rubbish bins.

The iconic native bird as been proposed as a strong contender for the Australian mascot for the 2032 Olympic Games due to be hosted in Brisbane.

Queensland Sports Minister Stirling Hinchliffe threw his support behind the idea in early 2022.

Are ibis’ a protected species?

Under the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, ibis burds cannot be harmed or interfered with.

It is an offence to do so.

Originally published as Man charged after alleged act of cruelty on an Ibis bird in Sydney

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