Funding helps prepare for H5 bird flu threat

The Australian Government is investing $4.5 million to help Parks Australia prepare for a potential H5 avian influenza (bird flu) outbreak.  

The funding is helping to improve the condition of critical habitat for species that are most at-risk from the disease, including magpie geese and the Abbotts booby which breeds only on Christmas Island. 

Australia and surrounding islands remain free of H5 bird flu. However, activities like mapping Abbotts booby nests will inform conservation actions to help protect this unique species.  

Activities in Ashmore Reef Marine Park and Coral Sea Marine Park include: 

• removing invasive plants, such as buffel grass which smothers sea bird nests 
• controlling invasive animals like the south-east Asian house mouse, which compete for resources and eat seabird eggs. 

This work is building the resilience of bird populations to help them better withstand an outbreak.  

On Phillip Island in Norfolk Island National Park, the focus is on controlling the common starling and purple swamphen - key predators of the islands’ native seabirds.  

The funding is also building resilience of native bird populations in Kakadu National Park by reducing threats, like feral pigs, to help protect at-risk species.  Feral pigs cause extensive habitat destruction by trampling vegetation and accelerating erosion. They also compete with native species for resources and prey on birds, their chicks and eggs.  Increasing species’ resilience is an important part of preparing for H5 bird flu.  

The investment includes $2.7 million which is supporting remote surveillance using artificial intelligence, actions to keep on-ground staff safe, and other preparedness efforts. 

This funding forms part of the Australian Government’s broader $113 million commitment to prepare for H5 bird flu, including more than $47 million for environmental measures.