Bird flu vaccine program for vulnerable species rolls out in NSW
The NSW Government has launched a vaccination program to protect vulnerable native bird species, including Little Penguins, from H5 Avian Influenza. The initiative involves a two-dose regimen administered at wildlife facilities, with ongoing monitoring to ensure safety and efficacy.
Why it matters
This program represents a proactive conservation effort to mitigate the ecological impact of bird flu on Australia's biodiversity.
Manly’s Little Penguin population will receive vaccinations and be monitored under the program to combat bird flu. Photo: NSW Government.
Vulnerable bird species will soon benefit from a NSW Government plan to roll out targeted vaccinations to help protect them from H5 Avian Influenza.
Both wild populations and “insurance” populations in captivity will be vaccinated. These include the Manly and Barunguba populations of Little Penguins.
Taronga Conservation Society Australia has already vaccinated its first birds, with trial cohorts of Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos, Little Penguins and Red-tailed Black Cockatoos among the species to receive initial doses of the two-dose course.
“The unfortunate reality is that H5 bird flu is a significant threat to our native bird populations,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said.
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