- H5N1 bird flu virus confirmed in seabird found in southern Western Australia
- Virus real risk for endangered Australian sea lion, with only 12,000 individuals remaining along WA and South Australian coasts
- Virus has caused carnage on wildlife around the world, including killing 30,000 sea lion pups in just six months in South America
- AMCS call for at least $200 million funding to protect Australian wildlife from devastating species-jumping virus
The H5N1 bird flu could have a devastating impact on our unique wildlife, including a real extinction risk for the already endangered Australian sea lion, the Australian Marine Conservation Society said today after the species-jumping virus has been confirmed on the Australian mainland.
AMCS is calling for additional new funding to minimise the impacts of the devastating H5N1 bird flu, which has wreaked havoc on wildlife populations around the world, including killing 30,000 sea lion pups in just six months in South America. The virus had already appeared in Australia’s offshore territories, killing more than 13,000 elephant seal pup deaths on Heard Island in late 2025/early 2026. The virus has devastated wild bird populations killing millions worldwide and posed a significant threat to the poultry industry.
The first case of H5N1 bird flu was confirmed this morning, found in a Brown Skua seabird washed ashore at Cape Le Grand National Park on the southern coast of Western Australia. A second seabird, a Giant Petrel, found nearby is also undergoing testing.
AMCS Campaigns Director Alexia Wellbelove said: “This news is an alarming confirmation that Australia is not immune to the threats of bird flu, which has swept across continents and devastated wildlife populations worldwide. It is news we have been expecting but hoping not to receive.
“This virus has caused carnage to marine species worldwide. Marine mammal populations have been decimated by H5 bird flu, and with the virus now having arrived on Australia’s mainland, it is time to take greater action to protect our wildlife populations.
“Until now, mainland Australia and New Zealand were the only places on Earth free from the virus. With the virus now confirmed in southern Western Australia, it is a reminder that important populations such as Australian sea lions are now at real threat from this disease.
“Delays in the virus reaching Australia have provided us with valuable time to prepare and protect our wildlife, but we will need to do more to confront this existential threat to our unique wildlife. Funding for preparedness efforts to date have been vital and these plans now need to be put into place urgently.
“With the threat now realised, AMCS is calling for the establishment of an additional fund for national wildlife resilience of at least $200 million over the next two years, to ensure that the impacts of bird flu on our unique wildlife is minimised and protect wildlife populations.
“The Australian sea lion is already endangered, with only 12,000 individuals remaining along the coasts of South and Western Australia. Bird flu poses a real risk to the future of the Australian sea lion, found nowhere else in the world, potentially pushing it to extinction. It is essential that preparedness plans are put into place urgently to protect this and other threatened marine species.
“The experience worldwide demonstrates the potential for this virus to be catastrophic for Australia’s unique wildlife and threatened species. Investing in boosting the resilience of our threatened species by protecting and restoring their habitat, and reducing pressures on their populations is now essential to ensure their future.”
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 bird, 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 bird / animal.
- REPORT any unusual illness or death in wild birds and other wildlife immediately via the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.