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Authorities in Bendigo are investigating the deaths of 59 birds as potential H5N1 bird flu cases, prompting wildlife rescuers to call for more government support while samples are sent for testing.
The discovery has sparked fears of an H5N1 outbreak, which has not spread to the Bendigo region so far. The state government has sent samples of the deceased birds to a laboratory for testing, which typically takes 24 hours.
Authorities are working to determine whether the death of almost 60 birds at a popular lake in Bendigo is the result of H5N1 bird flu. Wildlife rescuers responded to reports of a sick bird near an island on Lake Weeroona on Wednesday and have since found 59 dead birds, including some water hen. Bendigo Wildlife Rescue's Avery Barnett-Dacey said volunteers located more birds exhibiting strange behaviour.
"A lot of them are just sitting down. They've got a head wobble and almost like a skyward gaze.
") The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action said samples from deceased birds supplied by a local veterinary clinic would be assessed at a testing laboratory. "Recognising that H5 bird flu cannot be controlled in wild populations, Victoria's response is focused on reducing impacts where practical," a DEECA spokesperson said. The Victorian government is considering "emergency extractions" of threatened bird species as the influenza spreads.
Volunteers 'bearing witness' Ms Barnett-Dacey said she was disappointed at the lack of support from government authorities in managing the situation.
"A lot of us care really deeply about our wildlife and birdlife, and finding it very difficult just to sit and bear witness," she said. "We're all just volunteers doing this off our own backs. Not having that extra assistance from a government body when we've got an outbreak of this potential scale is really disheartening.
"I've been having dog-walkers come past and … I've been having to turn dogs away, just to be mindful that we've got a potential bird flu outbreak here and it's probably not safe. "DEECA said officers based in Bendigo had attended the site. A City of Greater Bendigo spokesperson said council was following Agriculture Victoria's direction to leave the birds in place.
"Reports that we have not attended Lake Weeroona are inaccurate, and we are following Agriculture Victoria's direction to leave the birds as they are on the island, which is inaccessible to the public and not deemed a public space. "The city continues to monitor birds and wildlife in our parks and reserves, and works with these authorities to prepare and respond to potential cases," the council spokesperson said.
Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell said it was unacceptable that volunteers had been left to "pick up the pieces" more than 24 hours after the first report.
"We need to know immediately whether it is bird flu killing these ibises or whether something else is to blame," she said. Anyone who sees sick or dead birds or wildlife, is urged to report it to the Agriculture Victoria website or call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
H5N1 Bird Flu Bendigo Wildlife Rescue Victoria
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