Experts to catch 5,000 penguins, vaccinate them against bird flu
Victorian wildlife officials are launching a large-scale vaccination program for little penguins to combat the H5N1 bird flu. The initiative targets over 5,000 birds at Phillip Island and St Kilda, where high population density makes the virus a significant threat.
Why it matters
This represents the world's largest wildlife vaccination program, serving as a critical test case for protecting vulnerable species from avian influenza.
A major push is underway to catch and vaccinate more than 5,000 little penguins in Victoria to protect them against the virulent H5N1 bird flu.
Victorian wildlife officers will carry out vaccinations at little penguin colonies at Phillip Island and St Kilda, in what the state government says is the world’s largest program to target wild birds. One little penguin at Phillip Island has already died of bird flu.
Capturing wildlife for vaccination is difficult, particularly because they may need two or more doses of the vaccine. So, how will this unprecedented program help little penguins?
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