Image: Clare Scriven/Facebook
Disclaimer: This article was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by our editors before publication
South Australian birdwatchers will receive specialised training to help identify and report signs of bird flu in the wild as part of a new collaboration between the State Government and the conservation community.
The Government has partnered with Conservation Council SA, Birds SA and BirdLife Australia to establish the Bird Observers Network, which will strengthen surveillance for the H5 strain of bird flu across the state.
Volunteers joining the network will be trained to recognise birds that may be sick, record their observations and report possible cases to authorities.
The nation-leading program has been co-designed with the three organisations, combining the knowledge of people who regularly observe wildlife in South Australia’s coastal and wetland environments with the State Government’s existing bird flu response plans.
Participants will also receive the latest updates, safety advice and reporting guidelines from government agencies.
Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven said the network would bring together government resources and the extensive knowledge held within South Australia’s birding community.
“This will strengthen the on-ground surveillance by combining the expertise of government agencies with the knowledge and experience of South Australia’s birdwatching and conservation community.”
South Australia has recorded five confirmed cases of H5 bird flu in seabirds. One case was detected in a greater crested tern, which is native to Australia, while four cases involved migratory giant petrels.
Bird flu has not been detected in commercial poultry and has not become established in Australia.
The new network will complement existing surveillance efforts, including South Australia’s largest aerial wildlife survey in more than four decades.
The survey covered almost 5000 kilometres of coastline, islands and reefs and found no evidence that H5 bird flu was having widespread impacts on wildlife.
BirdLife Australia CEO Kate Millar said involving experienced birdwatchers and conservation scientists would help authorities monitor further detections.
“Bringing conservation scientists, birdwatchers and government together in this way is a productive initiative and we call on other states to follow this lead set by South Australia.”
Conservation Council SA CEO Kirsty Bevan said members of the birding community had been seeking a greater role in the response.
“For the many dedicated birders who have been surveying wildlife for years, this is a significant step forward and reflects what the community has been asking for.”
Possible signs of bird flu include several sick or dead birds in one location, an inability to stand or fly, abnormal behaviour, swelling or discolouration around the head and respiratory distress.
Anyone who finds sick or dead wildlife should avoid contact, record what they see and report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
For more go to, https://pir.sa.gov.au/animal-management/animal-health/species/poultry/avian-influenza
