Penguins and dolphins among nearly 400 Australian species under threat from bird flu as ‘true extent of disaster’ revealed
A new federal assessment warns that nearly 400 native Australian species, including penguins and dolphins, are at high risk from the H5N1 bird flu virus. The report highlights that nearly one in five species could face severe population declines or extinction if the virus spreads across the continent.
Why it matters
The potential arrival of H5N1 in Australia poses an existential threat to unique biodiversity and could lead to irreversible ecological damage.
Little penguins are among numerous species at very high risk from deadly H5N1, a federal government assessment has revealed./iStockphoto Little penguins are among numerous species at very high risk from deadly H5N1, a federal government assessment has revealed./iStockphoto Bird flu Penguins and dolphins among nearly 400 Australian species under threat from bird flu as ‘true extent of disaster’ revealed Assessment of more than 2,000 native species warns nearly one in five at high risk of deadly H5N1, including parrots, fur seals and quolls
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Prefer the Guardian on Google Almost 400 native Australian bird and mammal species have been assessed as being at a high risk – or worse – from the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus, a federal government assessment has revealed.
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