By Amelia Bernasconi

ABC Rural

Topic: Avian Influenza

Wednesday, August 5, 2026, 1:40 pm

The Herald petrel is one of five bird species that may not survive the H5 bird flu.

In short:

Australia is preparing for big reductions in some bird and mammal populations due to the bird flu.

The federal government has ranked over 2,000 native birds and animals by their threat level.

What's next?

Vaccines are being tested, but they may not work for wild birds.

Some seabird species might disappear if the bird flu keeps spreading.

Over 2,000 native birds and mammals have been scored on their chances of surviving the H5 bird flu.

Five species are unlikely to survive, and many others will have big population reductions.

The government released a list ranking species from low to extreme risk.

The list considers habitat, ecology, behavior, and information from overseas outbreaks.

The Herald petrel and other species are under extreme threat from the bird flu.

The Invasive Species Council CEO finds the list devastating.

The results are shocking, said Jack Gough.

Jack Gough wants immediate investment in wildlife resilience.

Over 80 endangered species have a high or worse threat ranking.

The Tasmanian devil and eastern quolls are among the mammals at risk.

They might survive the virus, but their populations will be severely reduced.

Some dolphin, whale, sea lion, and seal species will also be impacted.

Tasmanian devils could be affected if the bird flu spreads.

There are calls for funding now.

The first big death of Australian wildlife from the H5 bird flu was confirmed.

Epidemiologist Raina MacIntyre says the bird flu strain has mutated and is highly concerning.

This virus has caused an unprecedented pattern, said Professor MacIntyre.

It has swept through and decimated species in other countries.

Mr. Gough says the biosecurity response was excellent, but funding for wildlife has decreased.

We can't stop the bird flu, so we need to deal with other threats, he said.

An emergency $200 million investment is needed for wildlife resilience.

The work on projects has been done, but funding is missing.

This should have been funded three years ago, but now is the next best time.

Professor MacIntyre says there's little information on how susceptible Australian marsupials and monotremes are to bird flu.

We have unique species that don't exist anywhere else, and it's unknown, she said.

Murray Watt says vaccine trials are underway.

Vaccine trials are happening.

Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt says bird flu will likely spread inland.

This will be a very serious event, he said.

We're the last continent to have bird flu, and we've had time to prepare.

We've invested $47 million in building up threatened species populations.

Some of this is by removing feral cats and pigs that reduce those populations.

Mr. Watt says vaccinating wild bird populations is too hard, but trials are underway for captive birds.

It requires two doses of vaccines, and it's hard to catch these birds twice.

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