Woman charged as NT police allege research station cattle died of dehydration, not cyanide poisoning

A woman has been charged after a police investigation found dead cattle at a research station in the Northern Territory were allegedly dehydrated, not poisoned by cyanide.

The 71 cattle were found dead or dying at the Old Man Plains research facility, managed by the NT Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, near Alice Springs in March 2023.

Initial reports last year indicated the cattle may have been poisoned, with a department spokesperson saying the cattle deaths “resulted from cyanide in the foliage of spotted emu bush, a native plant species which can cause toxicity in cattle”.

The department’s report also noted that “clinical signs included severe dehydration, difficulty breathing, lying down and difficulty rising.”

However, following a 12-month internal investigation by the department, it confirmed the cause of death was dehydration due to prolonged water deprivation.

Northern Territory Police took over the investigation in March this year, launching Operation Bedstraw to investigate potential offences.

Police allege investigators found the cattle did not have access to drinking water between March 3 and 13, 2023, and were not checked on during the 10-day period.

Police have charged a 55-year-old woman, who was an employee at the research facility, with failing to provide a minimum level of care, under the Animal Protection Act.

She was issued a Notice to Appear in Alice Springs Local Court on December 3.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries says it has fully cooperated with the police investigation, but said it could not comment further as the matter is before the courts.