Why experts warn of a catastrophic threat to native animals and the poultry industry

Updated July 10, 2026 — 18:29,

A dead fur seal has tested negative for potential infection with H5N1 bird flu, as the first case of the deadly virus from a native species has been confirmed in South Australia.

The detection of bird flu in a native bird signals a dramatic increase in risk to Australian wildlife, while experts warn it highlights the potential for the virus to spread across the continent and the serious threat it poses to native animal populations and the poultry industry.

A fur seal. Sharon Holt

The young fur seal, found on the Central Coast in NSW, was examined for potential infection on Friday but later tested negative.

Sick or dead seal pups are a relatively common sight along the coast.

The South Australian government has also confirmed that the greater crested tern at Robe on South Australia’s Limestone Coast has been infected with the H5N1 variant. Scientists suspected it might have been infected by a species migrating to Antarctica.

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins, who is responsible for biosecurity, said on Friday that tests had confirmed four more cases of H5 bird flu in Australia, bringing the total to 12.

BirdLife Australia general manager Kate Miller said the case of the infected tern was particularly worrying.

“The arrival of H5 bird flu in Australia is a truly worrying development. Up to this point, detections had been in subantarctic seabirds. However, the greater crested tern testing positive means this has now shifted from individual seabirds to a local bird,” Miller said.

The government said there was no evidence that H5N1 bird flu was spreading in local wildlife.

However, experts say it is highly unlikely that the 12 birds found on Australian beaches are the only birds to land on the country’s 34,000 kilometers of coastline, warning that an outbreak in local wildlife is almost inevitable in the coming years.

After the virus spread rapidly from South America to the lower part of the world, flying thousands of kilometers across the lower part of the world to touch down on islands below Antarctica, the virus was brought to Australia by far-flying seabirds that contracted the virus in the Southern Ocean.

The virus poses a devastating threat to Australia’s native wildlife.

It reached South America in 2022, killing more than 30,000 South American sea lions, 17,000 southern elephant seal pups, and an unknown number of porpoises, dolphins, and otters, as well as at least 650,000 native birds.

More than 13,000 seal pups were killed by the virus in Australia’s sub-Antarctic Heard Island region; this accounted for more than three-quarters of new births on the island.

The Albanian government has compiled a list of more than 150 animals most at risk of epidemics; these include bird-eating raptors such as white-bellied sea eagles, strong owls, and wedge-tailed eagles; black swans who were found to have no genetic defense against the virus; Australian sea lions; rare parrots, including small populations of orange-bellied and swift parrots; and scavenger-eating Tasmanian devils.

It also pledged $113 million to prepare for the H5N1 pandemic; He emphasized that teams quickly dispose of carcasses of infected animals to prevent further spread and prevent farm poultry from mixing with wild birds.

Greater crested terns have been confirmed to be infected with H5 bird flu.Neil Bowman

But environmental advocates are calling for a $200 million fund dedicated to nature to cull wild predators such as cats and foxes, restore critical habitat and fund breeding programs.

Jack Gough, chief executive of the Invasive Species Council, said: “This is a practical and never-to-be-regretted investment. It will make Australia’s wildlife better equipped to recover from bird flu and also make it more resilient to other environmental threats.”

An outbreak in wildlife is likely to spread to farm-raised birds, resulting in mass culls and an increase in the price of chicken meat and eggs. More than 170 million birds have been culled in the US since 2022 due to the pandemic, and egg prices have tripled by 2025.

The virus also poses a risk to pet birds and cats, which often become extremely ill and die if infected. They should be kept indoors to avoid contact with infected animals.

Signs of infection in cats include dizziness, tremors, seizures, blindness, severe depression, heavy discharge from the nose and eyes, and difficulty breathing.

The government says people who see sick or dead birds and other animals should not touch them, but instead record their location, take photos and videos and call 1800 675 888.