Tasmania is intensifying its preparedness against the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu, with the state government confirming a strategy centred on surveillance and existing protection plans for its vulnerable wildlife, including the beloved little penguins. This approach contrasts with Victoria’s decision to embark on a large-scale vaccination program for its wild penguin colonies.
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) recently confirmed the detection of H5 bird flu in a Brown Skua carcass found on the state’s north-west coast, marking the first positive case in Tasmania. This discovery underscores the growing threat of the virus, which has already been identified in wild birds across five other Australian states.
Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Gavin Pearce, reassured Tasmanians that the state has been preparing for the arrival of H5 bird flu for some time, with no evidence of an outbreak in commercial poultry at this stage. Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Guy Barnett, acknowledged that an H5 bird flu outbreak would be distressing for the community, stating that Tasmania has been working closely with the Federal Government to develop protection plans for at-risk species. These species include little penguins, Orange-bellied parrots, Tasmanian devils, and various seal and tern populations.
NRE Tas is actively undertaking proactive surveillance of seal and seabird colonies across the state, utilising drone and foot patrols to monitor for any signs of the virus. The Tasmanian government has also established a Penguin Advisory Group to offer expert guidance on matters concerning little penguins, alongside ongoing efforts in monitoring, habitat enhancement, and public education campaigns.
In a different approach, the Victorian government is moving forward with vaccinating more than 5,000 little penguins at Phillip Island and St Kilda against H5 bird flu. Doses have arrived and are awaiting final regulatory approvals for administration, with the program anticipated to be one of the largest wild bird vaccination efforts globally. Victorian Environment Minister Jaclyn Symes stated that vaccination is a practical measure to protect vulnerable species like little penguins, complementing existing biosecurity and surveillance efforts. Little penguins are considered suitable for vaccination due to their tendency to return to the same colonies and burrows, facilitating the two-dose course and subsequent monitoring. While H5 bird flu has been detected in other wild birds in Victoria, it has not yet been found in little penguins there.
The Federal Government has committed over $113 million towards national bird flu preparedness, including funding for vaccines and trials. However, vaccinating wild bird populations presents significant challenges, primarily the difficulty of catching individual birds twice for the required two doses.
Tasmanians are urged to remain vigilant and report any sightings of sick or dead birds or other wildlife immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.