Australia vaccinates thousands of little penguins against bird flu

Australian wildlife authorities are vaccinating thousands of little penguins against H5 bird flu in a major effort to protect the species.

The campaign, which began Monday, targets up to 5,000 little penguins on Victoria’s Phillip Island and at St Kilda in Melbourne. The birds will receive two doses of the vaccine, while teams will also conduct health checks, weigh and microchip them, the Victorian government said.

“This is a really important step in protecting our little penguins from the devastating impacts of avian influenza,” Environment Minister Jaclyn Symes said when the program was announced Aug. 12.

On Aug. 15, authorities reported that a little penguin found dead on Phillip Island had tested positive for the virus, marking the first confirmed case in the species there.

Phillip Island is home to about 40,000 little penguins, the world’s smallest penguin species. Authorities say the size of the colony and the birds’ tendency to gather in large groups make them particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases.

Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Graeme Cooke said vaccination was an important tool but would not provide complete protection against infection.

The Victorian government has described the campaign as what is believed to be the world’s largest vaccination program involving wild birds.

Phillip Island Nature Parks is carrying out the operation with veterinary and wildlife specialists.