The first confirmed death of an Australian sea lion from H5 bird flu has raised fears about what could happen if the virus takes hold in the threatened species, as the Invasive Species Council warns Australia needs a much greater investment in helping wildlife survive and recover.
An Australian sea lion at Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island has died after contracting H5 bird flu – the first confirmed case in the species in Australia.
The Australian sea lion, found only in Australia, has been assessed as being at ‘very high’ risk from H5 bird flu, and is among more than 300 native bird and mammal species identified as being at high to extreme risk from the virus.
The Invasive Species Council said the detection underscored the potential devastation facing susceptible Australian wildlife and why the federal government’s recently announced $20 million for wildlife resilience falls far short of the investment needed.
‘South Australia is the heartland of the Australian sea lion, with most of the world’s population found here. Seal Bay is home to around 500 endangered Australian sea lions. The arrival of bird flu in this species is deeply concerning,’ Invasive Species Council Senior Advocate James Johnston said.
Overseas we have seen just how devastating this virus can be for marine mammals.
‘More than 30,000 sea lions died as H5 bird flu spread through South America. We cannot ignore what this virus has done to sea lion populations overseas.
‘We cannot stop this disease from spreading through wild populations. What we can do is make sure our most vulnerable species are as strong and healthy as possible before they are hit, and give them the best possible chance to recover afterwards.
‘The federal government itself has recognised this. Environment Minister Murray Watt has said the “best way” to protect species vulnerable to bird flu is to have strong and healthy populations, including by repairing habitat and tackling threats like feral cats, foxes, pigs and weeds.
‘But $20 million in new wildlife resilience funding does not match the scale of that task when more than 300 native bird and mammal species are at high to extreme risk.
‘If we begin seeing the heartbreaking scenes experienced overseas, Australians will demand more from their governments than simply monitoring and counting the losses.
‘This virus could cause enormous grief for Australians who care about our wildlife. Governments need to be able to offer hope that the species hit hardest will have a future.
‘The best way to provide that hope is to make a serious commitment now to the survival and recovery of species – by reducing the other threats they face, and protecting critical habitat and breeding sites.
‘The Invasive Species Council has called for at least $200 million over two years for wildlife resilience. That should be the floor for Australia’s response, not the ceiling.
‘That investment amounts to just $13 per Australian taxpayer over two years, about $6.50 a year, to give some of our most vulnerable wildlife a fighting chance against this virus.
‘We should not wait for mass wildlife deaths before making that investment.’
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Image credit: Joshua S. Martin via iNaturalist
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