- SA Government confirms it is highly likely H5N1 bird flu is spreading locally, sparking fears for the endangered Australian sea lion population which stands at just 12,000, found nowhere else on Earth
- H5N1 virus has been deadly for seals and sea lions, killing 30,000 sea lion pups in South America in six months
- Last summer bird flu killed around 13,000 elephant seal pups on Australia's Heard Island
- The confirmed case turns a warning into an emergency, and requires at least $200 million in urgent funding
Four greater crested terns have today tested positive to H5N1 bird flu on Kangaroo Island. Of significant concern is a positive case at the iconic Seal Bay, a critical colony for the endangered Australian sea lion as one of the largest breeding colonies accounting for 5% of the global population.
These new detections means local transmission in native wildlife is now highly likely, and puts the endangered Australian sea lion at real risk of extinction. Internationally bird flu has been devastating not only for birds, but also marine mammals.
AMCS Campaigns Director Alexia Wellbelove said: "This is the news we feared but predicted given the experience of bird flu internationally. Endangered Australian sea lions are now on the frontline of the potential wildlife crisis, and a positive detection in a greater crested tern at one of the largest breeding colonies means we must be on high alert. With only 12,000 individuals left, the Australian sea lion simply cannot absorb the kind of losses we have seen bird flu inflict on marine mammals overseas.
"In South America, this virus killed 30,000 sea lion pups in just six months following transmission from birds to marine mammals. On our own Heard Island, it killed more than 13,000 elephant seal pups in a single season. With a positive bird flu detection at this important colony, we now have to face the very real possibility of similar devastation here at home, in a species already teetering on the edge.
"This is no longer a question of prevention. The Federal Government must act immediately to establish the $200 million national wildlife resilience fund we have been calling for since June, focused on emergency protection and recovery for our most at-risk species.
"Every colony, every pup, every individual matters when a population is this small. We cannot afford to wait."
AMCS is working with an alliance of environmental organisations to press for immediate, coordinated national action to protect remaining populations.
If you find a sick or dead bird or other wildlife that you suspect could have bird flu (H5N1), remember to:
- AVOID contact with sick or dead wildlife and their environment. Do not touch, move or approach the animal, and do not allow pets to touch or eat sick or dead wildlife.
- RECORD what you see, the location the animal was found, and take photos or video (if possible) without approaching the animal.
- REPORT any unusual illness or death in wild birds and other wildlife immediately via the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
