Dozens of budgies dropped dead from their perches during a country show.

The birds were among hundreds lined up in their cages ready to be judged Gwynedd Budgerigar Society Open Show in North Wales when disaster struck.

One toppled off his perch then others began "dropping like dominoes", according to the organisers.

Owners fearing a gas leak – canaries have highly sensitive respiratory systems and were once used down mines to detect leaks – grabbed their cages and ran for the door.

Some of the birds, which are worth around £1,000 each – were revived outside but in total 38 died.

"After five or ten minutes as many as 12 had died. I lost one bird myself," organiser Rob Hughes said.

"We saved the majority but what happened was utterly horrible. It was a freak event. We may never know the exact cause."

Originally posted by DaMod
That is very strange. Wouldn't you be able to smell a gas leak? I mean that smell is unique!