Watch our webinar: H5N1 Bird Flu and Australian Wildlife

With reported bird flu cases rising nationwide, government agencies and conservation groups are increasingly focused on what we can do to further prepare and plug potential gaps in the national response.

During Thursday's webinar, we spoke about the impact bird flu has had globally, the risks to Australia's unique native wildlife, how the federal government can increase resilience of the most at-risk natives species and what we can all do to mobilise action and mitigate harm.

Leading conservation groups are calling on the federal government to invest $200 million to deliver a five-point plan over two years.

To help give Australia’s wildlife a fighting chance against bird flu, please follow the Invasive Species Council’s lead and write to Environment Minister Murray Watt supporting our call for increased investment.

This webinar is a collaboration between Australian Marine Conservation Society, Biodiversity Council, BirdLife Australia, Doherty Institute, Invasive Species Council and Wildlife Health Australia.

Webinar speakers and topics

• MC Kate Millar, CEO of BirdLife Australia.
• Dr Michelle Wille, ARC Future Fellow at the Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne. Topic: Impacts of H5N1 bird flu globally and the risk to Australia’s wildlife.
• Dr Tiggy Grillo, National Coordinator and COO of Wildlife Health Australia. Topic: Lessons from the global response and what’s being done in Australia.
• Shandell Cummings, a Menang woman from the south coast of Western Australia and University of Western Australia academic and artist. Topic: Cultural, Spiritual and Physical risks of bird flu on First Peoples.
• Dr Dale Wright, Director Science and Priority Landscapes at BirdLife Australia and Acting Executive Director Conservation & Science. Topic: Risk to native birds and what’s needed to mobilise support.
• Alexia Wellbelove, Campaigns Director at the Australian Marine Conservation Society. Topic: Risk to native mammals and other wildlife and what’s needed to mobilise support.
• Jack Gough, CEO of Invasive Species Council. Topic: Building resilience – Expanding threat mitigation actions for priority sites and species.

What else can you do to help?

If you notice any unusual illness or death in wild birds and other wildlife, remember to AVOID, RECORD, REPORT:

• AVOID contact, including leashing pets where infected animals may be present
• RECORD what you see, the location and take photos from a distance
• REPORT via the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888

For more information, see:

• The official government site
• BirdLife Australia’s dedicated page for the latest news