The cause of a deadly illness in magpie populations in Western Australia may remain a mystery.

A surge in cases over the summer in Perth and across the state’s southwest has prompted an investigation.

Image: Photo by Carolyn Shearer: https://www.pexels.com/photo/australian-magpie-walking-on-dry-grass-31724459/

Produced By: Shannon Kirkwood

Featured In Story: Dr Bethany Jackson – Lecturer, Centre for Biosecurity and One Health, Harry Butler Institute at Murdoch University

First aired on The Wire, Friday 20 June 2025