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🇦🇺 Australia /Health & Science

H5 Bird Flu Threatens Wildlife Haven in South Australia's Coorong Wetlands

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The H5 strain of avian influenza has been detected in South Australia's Coorong wetlands, a vital habitat for migratory birds.
  • This poses a significant risk to the local wildlife, including bird populations that migrate from Siberia and Alaska.
  • The detection marks the fifth confirmed H5 case in the state, with the virus now found in a seabird for the first time.

South Australia's Coorong wetlands, a crucial haven for migratory birds and the setting for the classic Australian tale 'Storm Boy,' now faces a significant threat from the H5 strain of avian influenza. This delicate ecosystem, known for its diverse birdlife, estuaries, and coastal scrub, is a vital stopover for birds traveling from as far as Siberia and Alaska.

It's just a magical wetland … once you're here you feel like you're a million miles from anywhere.

— Joel HirschDescribing the Coorong wetlands.

Joel Hirsch, skipper of the Spirit of the Coorong, described the wetlands as a "magical place" where visitors feel "a million miles from anywhere." However, the arrival of bird flu has cast a shadow over this natural beauty. "It's going to potentially be devastating to wild birds right around Australia, including places like the Coorong here," Hirsch stated, expressing concern over the virus's impact.

Australia was one of the last continents to record the deadly H5 strain. Its initial detection in a migratory bird on the Fleurieu Peninsula in June placed it at the gateway to the Coorong National Park. The state has since recorded its fifth confirmed H5 case, with the latest detection in Robe marking the first instance of an Australian seabird contracting the virus. Hirsch noted that the bird flu is the latest in a series of crises impacting the region, following droughts, floods, and algal blooms.

It's going to potentially be devastating to wild birds right around Australia, including places like the Coorong here.

— Joel HirschExpressing concern about the impact of bird flu.

The Coorong National Park, stretching over 140 kilometers south-east of Adelaide, is recognized as a Ramsar wetland of international importance. Ecologist David Paton, who has studied the area since the 1980s, has been closely monitoring waterbird populations. While winter typically sees fewer birds as northern migratory species return home, the upcoming summer migration peak could exacerbate the impact of the avian influenza outbreak on the already stressed ecosystem.

When it finally arrived, it's disappointing that it's in our neck of the woods … but we're prepared for this eventuality.

— Joel HirschReacting to the detection of bird flu near the Coorong.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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