Fears for sea lions after mass bird mortality events at breeding grounds
Mass bird deaths linked to H5N1 bird flu have been discovered on islands housing endangered Australian sea lion colonies. While the virus has not yet been detected in sea lions, authorities are concerned about the potential impact on the vulnerable population.
Why it matters
The spread of H5N1 to marine mammals poses a significant threat to biodiversity and endangered species conservation efforts.
Pages Islands have one of the largest and most stable sea lion colonies. ( ABC South East SA: Caroline Horn )
Mass bird deaths believed to be linked to H5N1 bird flu have been detected on islands that host a large sea lion breeding colony.
While the bird flu strain has not been detected in sea lions in Australia, it has been confirmed in a long-nosed fur seal in South Australia's south-east.
The government is considering a vaccination program that was rolled out in seals in Hawaii.
Link copied Share Share article There are concerns the endangered Australian sea lion could be devastated by bird flu, with mass bird deaths found at key seal breeding locations.
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