The short version
- A new federal assessment identifies nearly 400 native Australian bird and mammal species as facing high or extreme risk from the H5N1 virus.
- Five island-breeding bird species are classified at extreme risk, with experts warning of potential severe population declines or extinction events.
- Conservation groups criticize delayed action and demand a $200 million funding package, while the government cites existing commitments totaling $113 million.
A comprehensive federal assessment released Tuesday reveals that nearly 400 native Australian bird and mammal species are at significant risk from the H5N1 avian influenza virus. The analysis, conducted in collaboration with Charles Darwin University and BirdLife Australia, evaluated more than 2,000 species and found that approximately one in five faces high, very high, or extreme threat levels. This finding underscores a deepening crisis for local biodiversity as the virus establishes a foothold on the continent.
The assessment categorizes risk based on potential population impacts. Species rated at high risk could suffer severe reductions in population size or viability if infected. Five species have been designated at extreme risk, meaning they are unlikely to survive where the virus is present. These include birds that breed exclusively on single islands or small island groups, such as the endangered Christmas Island frigatebird and the critically endangered herald petrel, which nests only on Raine Island in the northern Great Barrier Reef.
Among mammals, the three resident seal species—the Australian fur seal, New Zealand fur seal, and Australian sea lion—are all considered at very high risk. On land, the Tasmanian devil and eastern quoll face the greatest threat, both assessed as high risk. The report highlights that more than 80 endangered or critically endangered species are also vulnerable, suggesting the virus could accelerate their decline toward extinction.
The H5N1 strain has caused millions of deaths among birds and mammals globally since spreading from Europe in 2021. Australia was the last continent to be affected, with infected migratory seabirds found dead or sick in Western and South Australia six weeks ago. The virus has now been confirmed in over 100 individual birds, and air surveillance has recorded the first mass mortality event in South Australia. Detections have also emerged in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.
Leading conservation scientists express concern over the scale of the threat. Professor John Woinarski of Charles Darwin University, who helped devise the analysis, stated that the findings present a bleaker picture than previously anticipated. He warned that bird and mammal diversity is likely to suffer substantial impacts from the disease. The extent of the species identified as vulnerable reinforces expert fears regarding the potential devastation to local wildlife populations.
Criticism has emerged regarding the timing of the assessment. Professor Hugh Possingham, a lead councillor at the Biodiversity Council, described the analysis as a useful initial step but argued it should have been released two years ago. He emphasized that a priority action list was needed a year prior, noting that the impending threat was already known to experts. This delay has sparked debate about the adequacy of current preparedness measures.
Conservation organizations are calling for immediate and substantial government intervention. Jack Gough, chief executive of the Invasive Species Council, labeled the report a list of doom that reveals the true extent of the disaster facing Australian wildlife. He criticized recent cuts to on-ground environment programs and demanded a serious response. Several groups, including the Invasive Species Council, are urging the government to fund a $200 million package to scale up protective efforts, such as feral animal controls.
The federal government states it has committed $113 million to prepare for bird flu, including $47 million specifically aimed at accelerating protective actions for threatened species and biodiversity. Kate Millar, chief executive of BirdLife Australia, acknowledged the confronting nature of the risk list but noted it allows for prioritization of protection efforts. Jess Abrahams of the Australian Conservation Foundation emphasized the need for emotional preparation among the public, urging Australians to know how to respond if they encounter sick or dead animals.
As the virus continues to spread across multiple states, the focus shifts from assessment to implementation. The identification of specific high-risk species provides a roadmap for targeted conservation strategies. However, the gap between identified risks and funded actions remains a point of contention. Experts warn that without scaled-up on-ground efforts, the predicted population declines may become irreversible for some of Australia’s most iconic and vulnerable wildlife.
The situation highlights the intersection of global pandemics and local biodiversity crises. With the virus now confirmed in several states and mass mortality events recorded, the window for effective intervention is narrowing. The federal assessment serves as a critical baseline for understanding vulnerability, but its utility depends on the speed and scale of subsequent protective measures. Stakeholders remain divided on whether current funding levels are sufficient to mitigate the projected impacts.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Penguins and dolphins among nearly 400 Australian species under threat from bird flu as ‘true extent of disaster’ revealed
