Arabic version: تأكيد إصابة أربعة أسود بحر بفيروس H5 في جزر بيجز
According to ABC News, four South Australian sea lions, including one pup, have tested positive for H5 bird flu on the Pages Islands, a key breeding area between the mainland and Kangaroo Island. The animals were among 12 sea lions found dead on North Page and South Page islands. Of 10 deceased sea lions available for testing, three adults and one pup returned positive results.
The findings bring the number of confirmed H5 cases in South Australian sea lions to five, following a positive case at Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island the previous week. About 900 greater crested terns were also found dead on the Pages in what SA Environment Minister Emily Bourke described as a mass mortality event involving the birds.
The Pages Islands contain one of Australia’s largest sea lion colonies, Macquarie University marine science professor Robert Harcourt said. He warned of “real concerns” about a potentially large mortality event, noting that sea lions remain in the same region throughout their lives, making them particularly vulnerable. South Australian sea lions are listed as endangered on international threatened-species lists.
Ms Bourke said the latest cases were concerning in light of an H5 outbreak on Heard Island, where more than 13,000 baby seals have died since last year. The South Australian government is discussing federal approval for a vaccine trial targeting mammals. A separate bird-focused vaccine trial at Cleland Wildlife Park has administered more than 150 vaccines since last month. Two dead sea lions tested on Liguanea Island returned negative results, while magpies at Hindmarsh Island have also tested positive, indicating the virus could travel further inland.
