Australia’s wildlife faces a growing threat, and the Albanese government has responded with a $95 million pledge aimed at preparing for what many fear could become one of the country’s worst environmental crises—an outbreak of H5N1 bird flu. With experts warning of the devastating potential impact on bird species and other vulnerable wildlife, this funding comes as a much-needed step to mitigate the looming disaster.
The Invasive Species Council, a leading voice in advocating for better wildlife protection, praised the government’s announcement. Advocacy Director Jack Gough expressed a cautious optimism. “This is incredible news. The Albanese government is finally investing a serious amount into preparation for what could be the worst environmental disaster in Australia’s history,” Gough said. His words resonate with many who have long called for more substantial biosecurity measures.
The commitment includes $35.9 million specifically dedicated to protecting wildlife and biodiversity. The funding will focus on improving biosecurity measures, including vaccinations, enhanced surveillance, and carcass removal. Wildlife advocates have been sounding the alarm for some time about the vulnerability of native species like black swans, sea lions, and even Tassie devils, all of which could be severely affected should bird flu reach Australian shores.
“Environment groups have been calling for this, and it’s excellent to see the government listening and engaging behind the scenes,” Gough added, though he noted that the $95 million is only a down payment on what might be required should the disease hit.
Bird flu has already left a deadly trail worldwide. Recent figures from South America show over 30,000 sea lions and hundreds of thousands of birds succumbing to the virus since its arrival there in late 2022. In Peru alone, 40% of the pelican population was wiped out. Such figures offer a grim preview of what could happen in Australia if the virus spreads unchecked.
Dr Carol Booth, Principal Policy Analyst at the Invasive Species Council, has been at the forefront of pushing for better preparedness. “We’ve been campaigning for over a year, urging the government to take this threat seriously. It’s a relief that there is now the funding needed for Australia to prepare properly,” Dr Booth said.
A risk assessment commissioned by the Australian Government and released in July 2023 highlighted the urgency. The report found that the likelihood of bird flu reaching Australian wild birds was moderate to high, with catastrophic consequences. Black swans have been singled out as particularly susceptible to the virus, raising the alarm among conservationists who fear mass mortality in key populations.
Australia is one of the few continents where high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) has yet to arrive, but experts are not waiting for it to knock on the door. The funding includes $7 million earmarked for wild bird surveillance and a further $10 million for coordinated communication efforts to keep the public informed and alert.
The Invasive Species Council’s detailed plan, submitted to the government in early 2023, laid out several measures to prepare for the virus. Among these were the formation of a national taskforce, enhanced surveillance in collaboration with Indigenous rangers and local birdwatchers, and the development of specific response plans for high-risk sites where large populations of shorebirds, seabirds, or waterbirds gather.
While the funding is a welcome step, Gough is clear that much more will be needed. “This should be the first step in a monumental change in how we manage environmental biosecurity threats in Australia. We can’t stop the disease from arriving, but we can do a lot to reduce the death toll.”
Experts and government officials alike will meet later this week at an emergency environment ministers’ meeting to discuss bird flu preparedness, with hopes of setting clear milestones for action. This meeting will be key in developing robust plans to identify and protect species most at risk.
The government’s decision to act now sets an important precedent. Too often, environmental concerns have been sidelined in biosecurity discussions. With bird flu posing a potential catastrophe, this funding represents a crucial moment of recognition for the role wildlife and biodiversity play in Australia’s broader environmental health.
There is a long road ahead to protect Australia’s unique fauna from the threat of H5N1, but with renewed focus and funding, wildlife advocates are hopeful the nation is better prepared for what’s to come.
The message to the public is clear: report any unusual bird deaths immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline and stay informed. Australia’s wildlife depends on it.
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🦢 The Albanese government pledges $95M to protect Australia’s #wildlife from the looming threat of #H5N1 bird flu. 🌏 A vital step towards #biosecurity & species protection. 🦘 How can we better safeguard our wildlife? 💡🦅 #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/aPoBl8TBxN
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) October 16, 2024
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