Wildlife sanctuaries well prepared for bird flu
New Zealand wildlife sanctuaries are taking proactive measures to protect endangered bird species from the H5 strain of bird flu. Actions include vaccinating core populations and suspending supplementary feeding to prevent the spread of the virus.
Why it matters
Preventative measures are critical to protecting endangered native species from a global avian influenza outbreak that could threaten biodiversity.
Plans to manage bird flu are well underway at native wildlife sanctuaries.
This week the H5 strain, which has been circulating globally, was detected in New Zealand for the first time in a single migratory brown skua found in the Wellington region.
Prior to the detection, the Department of Conservation had already started vaccinating core breeding populations of kākāpō, takahē, tchūriwat'/tūturuatu/shore plover, kakī/black stilt, and kākāriki karaka/orange-fronted parakeet, in an effort to protect some of the most endangered species from bird flu.
Jo Ledington, the general manager of conservation and restoration at Wellington wildlife sanctuary Zealandia, said they had been keeping an eye on the bird flu situation internationally and had plans in place for some time.
She said one of the first steps they have now taken was to stop feeding their kākā population.
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