Tasmania Launches Pilot Vaccination of Shy Albatrosses Against H5N1 Avian Flu
In Australia, wildlife authorities have initiated a pilot program lasting several weeks to capture and immunize shy albatrosses on Albatross Island, Tasmania, against the H5N1 avian influenza. Up to 100 of these birds will receive two doses of the vaccine. Although the albatrosses are currently in good health, the recent outbreak of avian flu in Tasmania has necessitated this intervention. Sheryl Hamilton from Tasmania’s Department of Natural Resources and Environment expresses hope that this pilot will contribute to larger efforts in combating the virus. The shy albatross, classified as near threatened, has an estimated 15,000 breeding pairs. Additionally, over 1,500 little penguins have been vaccinated in Victoria. Tasmania reported its first case of bird flu in August, with 50 subsequent incidents impacting various species.
Key facts
- Wildlife officials in Australia have begun a multi-week pilot project to vaccinate shy albatrosses against H5N1 avian flu on Albatross Island, Tasmania.
- Up to 100 shy albatrosses will receive two doses of the vaccine, with monitoring via remote cameras and follow-up visits.
- The shy albatross is listed as near threatened by the IUCN and vulnerable in Tasmania, with an estimated 15,000 breeding pairs.
- Tasmania recorded its first official bird flu case in August, and events have since risen to 50, affecting species like the brown skua, Pacific gull, great crested tern, little penguin, and black currawong.
- Australia was the only continent without avian influenza until June, when the virus was detected in wild seabirds in Western Australia.
- Veterinarians have vaccinated more than 1,500 little penguins on Phillip Island and St Kilda beach in Victoria.
- Across Australia, officials have recorded 706 total bird flu events at last count.
- Rachael Gray, a veterinary pathologist at the University of Sydney, called the situation 'quite frightening' and 'pretty overwhelming.'
Entities
Artists
- Sheryl Hamilton
- Guy Barnett
- Rachael Gray
- Kelsey Reid
- Jacinta Bowler
- Peter de Kruijff
- Olivia Hicks
- Sarah Kuta
Institutions
- Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
- International Union for Conservation of Nature
- University of Sydney
- 7BU
- Smithsonian Magazine
Locations
- Tasmania
- Australia
- Albatross Island
- Bass Strait
- Mewstone
- Pedra Branca
- Phillip Island
- St Kilda
- Victoria
- Western Australia
- New Zealand
- Longmont
- Colorado