South Australia has confirmed its first case of the deadly H5 bird flu strain near Robe on the Limestone Coast, approximately 200 kilometers from Kangaroo Island. The discovery has prompted the state government, in partnership with conservation organizations and bird watching groups, to establish the Bird Observers Network, which recruits volunteers to identify and report sick birds that may show signs of H5 infection.
More than 120 volunteers have signed up for the initiative, including Jean Turner, a bird enthusiast who lives on Kangaroo Island. Turner had previously hoped the virus would not reach Australia, despite seeing concerning images of dead wildlife from Argentina and Antarctica. Shortly after joining the network, she reported observing a greater crested tern that appeared unwell, standing on a jetty and trembling. Multiple greater crested terns subsequently tested positive for the virus on Kangaroo Island.
According to Steven Langley, president of Birds SA, birders offer distinct advantages in surveillance efforts compared to the general public. Their expertise allows them to identify species more accurately, spot abnormalities within flocks using binoculars, and notice when familiar birds disappear from their usual locations. The volunteer network represents a collaborative approach to monitoring the disease’s spread among wildlife populations.
The detection of a mass mortality event at Baudin Rocks near Robe, where more than 80 dead and sick greater crested terns were found, underscores the severity of the outbreak. Langley has emphasized the importance of complementary conservation measures, including predator management, habitat protection, and minimizing human disturbance to bird populations. He noted that surviving birds become increasingly valuable when large breeding populations are affected by disease.
Residents and birders are advised to report dead or sick animals without handling them directly, instead contacting the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline. Environment Minister Emily Bourke has indicated that other Australian states and territories have expressed interest in establishing similar volunteer surveillance models.
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