Concerns are being raised about the welfare of dozens of bison that have been moved from a disused tourist attraction in northern New South Wales.
Warning: This story contains images that readers may find distressing.
Three sources told the ABC they contacted the RSPCA earlier this year to report on the condition of animals at the Aranyani Bison Adventure Tourist Park at Myrtle Creek, south of Casino.
The tourist attraction has been closed since the region was hit by the 2019 bushfires and the COVID pandemic, and is now in receivership.
The ABC understands the RSPCA took over care of bison at the farm in February.
A worker at the farm who requested anonymity said nine bison out of a herd of 37 had died or been euthanased since February.
Former farm manager Jimmy Malecki, who lives near the farm, says he contacted the RSPCA several months ago and volunteered to help care for the bison to ensure the animals were properly cared for, but the offer was not taken up.
He worked with the bison at the farm for 10 years and ensured they were drenched, got a diet of high-protein grains and lucerne and received other specialised care.
"They are classified as wild animals in Australia — they are quite different, in their management, to cattle," Mr Malecki said.
"The RSPCA had an opportunity to have someone that the bison know and trust, but they failed to contact me.
"It's heartbreaking — I feel guilty that I wasn't more direct, but what can you do?"
'Something drastically wrong'
Lisa Oliver worked at the farm for four years until 2018, at which time she said it was running smoothly and was a "thriving" tourist attraction.
She said she was devastated to see the condition of the bison when she passed the farm on April 4.
Ms Oliver said she phoned the RSPCA and told them the animals were in "extremely poor condition".
She said she provided the RSPCA with contact details for people she knew could care for the herd, including the American Bison Association of Australia.
Ms Oliver said lactating females had their bones showing and the humps on the shoulders of the entire herd were drooping.
She said at least three carcasses had been left rotting on the ground amongst the herd.
"I could see there was something drastically wrong with what was happening," she said.
The farm worker who wished not to be identified said the bison had now been moved from the property.
The Department of Primary Industries, which issues licenses to keep wild animals, has confirmed the RSPCA was "working with the owners to address concerns".
An RSPCA spokesperson said they had been working with a Local Land Services district veterinarian and a livestock nutritional expert for several weeks, in response to welfare concerns for bison located at the park.
"During this time, our inspectorate and Local Land Services visited the property on several occasions, collecting faecal samples to test for internal parasites, as well as providing written directions, including a feeding and care plan to the receivership company of the tourist park, who confirmed acceptance of the directions," the RSPCA spokesperson said.
"We can also confirm the remaining bisons were reassessed by the Local Land Service district veterinarian and advised they were in a condition where they were fit to be transported to another property for ongoing care.
"A further written direction has been issued to the person in charge and will be subject to ongoing inspections by RSPCA NSW.
"As this matter is still part of an active investigation, we are unable to disclose any other information at this time."
The ABC has also tried to contact the receivers and the owners of Aranyani Bison.
