The Minns Labor Government is expanding its wild bird vaccination program to protect vulnerable Little Penguin colonies along the South Coast from the threat of H5 avian influenza (bird flu), with new operations underway.
Teams have begun vaccinating Little Penguins on Big Island and Bowen Island with additional vaccination programs to follow at Tollgate Islands and Snapper Island.
Penguins are weighed and microchipped during operations, allowing us to monitor their health and identify birds for follow-up vaccinations. GPS mapping and motion-sensor cameras are also used at some sites to monitor nests and penguin activity following vaccination.
The expansion comes after the successful start of vaccinations at Barunguba Montague Island, where almost 60 Little Penguins have already received their first dose.
The vaccination program is part of NSW’s broader efforts to safeguard priority wildlife populations from the global spread of H5 bird flu, one of the most significant disease threats facing wild birds worldwide.
Administering vaccines to wild birds presents unique challenges, with specialist teams required to carefully locate, capture and vaccinate penguins across remote and often rugged island environments. The vaccine requires two doses to be administered three to four weeks apart.
The team has worked with veterinarians and wildlife specialists to determine how best to locate, capture and vaccinate the penguins while minimising disturbance and respecting the cultural significance and sensitivities of each site.
Each island presents different logistical challenges, from difficult access to steep and rocky terrain. Extensive surveillance and preparation work is undertaken before vaccinations begin, to identify suitable operating areas and support safe field operations.
Vaccination is not a standalone solution or a silver bullet for H5 bird flu. It is one tool within a broader response that includes surveillance, preparedness planning, biosecurity and conservation measures.
NSW is taking a careful, evidence-based approach to vaccination, with animal welfare, safety and the latest scientific and veterinary advice guiding decisions about when we use vaccines.
Vaccination efforts are also advancing at captive wildlife facilities, with a number of facilities progressing through the necessary approval process.
