Australia is launching a necessary effort to protect one of its most recognisable coastal birds from H5N1 bird flu. Wildlife teams are hand-vaccinating thousands of wild little penguins. On Phillip Island, Victoria, authorities hope to protect a colony of about 5,000 birds by catching them as they return to their burrows after feeding at sea. The operation comes as concern grows over the virus spreading beyond birds. SBS News reported that a second seal in South Australia was suspected of having bird flu, just a day after the country confirmed its first mammal case. The vaccination campaign is being carried out at night and is designed around the penguins’ remarkably predictable routine. For the tiny birds, that familiar evening journey could now offer the best chance of avoiding a potentially devastating outbreak during the dangerous season ahead.
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