QUESTIONS OVER SURVEILLANCE FAILURES AND HUNTING POLICY AS H5N1 RISK ESCALATES
- Regional Victorians Opposed to Duck Shooting Inc.
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Left: On 7's Sunrise June 29, the CEO of the Invasive Species Council said the highly contagious and devastating H5N1 will spread around Australia, and that cats and dogs should be kept indoors/away from wildlife.
Scientists warn of devastation
It's like watching a horror movie unfold and not being able to turn it off.
There is a reason so many scientists are sounding the alarm about the deadly H5N1 virus now confirmed in three Australian states so far - WA, SA and NSW.
GLOBALLY: 400 billion chickens culled, 100 million mammals infected, entire wildlife populations shattered.
SOUTH AMERICA: 30,000 sea lions, 17,000 elephant seal pups, 650,000 native birds, countless dolphins and otters - DEAD.
AUSTRALIAN TERRITORIES (Heard and McDonald Islands) : over two-thirds of our elephant seal pups DEAD.WORLDWIDE: 1,000 human cases to date; mortality rate around 50%. Scientists warn the virus is only one mutation away from pandemic potential.
The warnings have become increasingly urgent in recent weeks.
20 June, 2026: First H5N1 case confirmed in WA. Federal Government predicts "potentially catastrophic impacts on native birds, mammals and other wildlife." People advised to keep dogs on leads and away from wildlife.
23 June: experts warn a wild outbreak is likely, and preventing spread is "extremely difficult."
26 June: BirdLife Australia President and ecologist Prof Hugh Possingham warned it's highly unlikely the infected birds found so far are the only ones to have reached Australia's 34,000 km coastline. Both the NSW Government and the US Center for Disease Control say hunting dogs may spread the virus. Federal advice recommends dogs be controlled around wetlands and wild birds.
Also on 26 June, experts say H5N1 is "probably one of the biggest threats to wildlife Australia has ever seen." And wildlife ecologist Prof Euan Ritchie said allowing duck hunting under these circumstances was "a very bad idea."
29 June: Federal Government warns 150 Australian native bird species and more than 10 mammal species are at very high risk of extinction or major decline from H5N1. Veterinary experts warn the virus is highly pathogenic and often fatal to cats and dogs, with no vaccine widely available. "The best way to prevent infection is to minimise or eliminate exposure to wildlife."
Around half of Australia's bird species and 87% of our land mammals occur nowhere else on Earth. Once they're gone, they're gone.
Left: On 29 June, Yahoo News reported a “shambolic response” after a sick giant petrel showing signs consistent with H5N1 was left on a Victorian beach for 22 hours before authorities responded.
Government response under scrutiny
Despite repeated warnings, concerns are growing about the response from governments such as in South Australia and Victoria, where decisions appear to prioritise the interests of a small number of recreational hunters over precautionary measures.
The South Australian Premier said "more H5N1 cases are expected", and confirmed preparations for the mass destruction of poultry. Yet recreational duck shooting was allowed to continue in South Australia until 28 June—eight days after H5N1 was confirmed in Australia, and the high-risk activity of quail hunting remains open until 2 August.
The SA Government maintains there is “only one confirmed case,” but authorities acknowledge not every sick bird can be collected, with even a sick pelican deemed “not a priority.” At the time of writing, over 500 reports of sick or dead birds have been received in South Australia alone, but only around 50 have reportedly been tested for H5N1, with results from most still unknown.
Similarly, quail shooting was permitted to continue across Victoria for ten days after H5N1 was confirmed on Australian shores.
Right: At a recent Victorian government webinar on the subject, DEECA presenters blatantly failed to address a question endorsed by the second highest number of participants:
Transparency lacking
The below questions have been put to the Victorian and South Australian governments with as yet no response.
Is the government aware that quail are highly susceptible to H5N1 and can suffer mortality rates of up to 100% within 24–48 hours without showing symptoms?
Why wasn't recreational native quail hunting suspended immediately once H5N1 was confirmed in Australia?
How is allowing hunting to continue, consistent with the precautionary principle?
How many staff are available to respond to reports of sick or dead birds?
Comments