The Australian Conservation Foundation has joined calls for the Albanese government to urgently set up a $200m emergency fund to protect Australian wildlife from the bird flu outbreak, which has reached the Australian mainland.
Over the weekend the federal government confirmed a brown skua seabird found near Esperance in Western Australia had died from the highly contagious deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu, which has devastated wild bird populations on every other continent.
The ABC is reporting at least 16 more dead birds have washed up on beaches in southern WA and been reported to authorities.
“This is terrible news for Australia’s birds and other wildlife,” said ACF’s nature campaigner Darcie Carruthers.
“This strain of bird flu has devastated wildlife on Heard Island in Australia’s Antarctic territory, killing seabirds, hundreds of king penguins and more than 13,000 southern elephant seal pups.
“Now it is on the Australian mainland we have grave concerns for Australian birds and other wildlife.
“Waterbirds that share wetland and lake habitats with other birds are believed to have a greater chance of picking up and spreading the virus.
“A study by scientists at the University of Western Australia found black swans to be particularly susceptible to H5N1 bird flu.
“Birds of prey and other carnivores, like Tasmanian Devils, are also at risk.
“Species that are already listed as threatened are particularly vulnerable.
“Like the Australian Marine Conservation Society, the Invasive Species Council and Birdlife Australia, ACF calls for a rapid and significant increase in funding from the Albanese government to deliver conservation programs and on-ground resilience plans.
“A $200m emergency fund would enable wildlife carers, conservation groups, scientists and state and local governments to get ready to protect our precious wildlife.”
ACF urges anyone who finds a sick or injured seabird or marine mammal not to touch it and report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Header pic: black swans at Jerrabomberra wetlands, Canberra, by Josh Meadows