Four South Australian sea lions, including a pup, test positive for H5 bird flu

Dead sea lions recovered from North Page and South Page islands were tested for H5 bird flu, with three adults and a pup returning positive results, bringing the state’s tally to five infected animals after a prior case at Seal Bay. The findings come alongside a mass die-off of roughly 900 crested terns on the same islands. Environment Minister Emily Bourke said discussions with the federal government are under way to approve a vaccine trial for mammals, complementing an ongoing bird-vaccine program at Cleland Wildlife Park that has administered over 150 doses.

Additional testing on two sea lions from Liguanea Island was negative, but the virus has also been detected in magpies on Hindmarsh Island and in inland locations such as Monarto, indicating a spread beyond coastal areas. Officials emphasized the urgency of protecting the endangered sea-lion population, which is listed as threatened internationally.