Australian wildlife authorities vaccinate little penguins against H5 bird flu

Wildlife authorities in Australia are implementing vaccination programs to protect little penguin colonies from the deadly H5 avian flu. In New South Wales, vaccination efforts have already begun on the South Coast, with nearly 60 penguins at Barunguba Montague Island receiving their first dose. Programs are also expanding to Big Island, Bowen Island, and other locations near Batemans Bay. The process involves a two-dose regimen administered several weeks apart, utilizing microchipping and GPS mapping to monitor health and activity.

In South Australia, the state government has approved similar targeted vaccination plans for colonies on Granite and Kangaroo Islands. The proposal is currently awaiting Commonwealth approval. Little penguins in South Australia have been assessed as highly susceptible to the virus, which has already caused 328 confirmed H5 events in the state. Conservationists are particularly concerned for colonies like Granite Island, which has seen a significant population decline from approximately 1,500 adults in 2001 to 36 adults in recent figures.