Veterinarians warn bird-flu funding gap could force mass euthanasia of healthy wild birds
Veterinarians say that without federal funding they may have to kill hundreds of otherwise healthy wild birds, worsening an existing mental-health crisis in the profession.
The H5 bird-flu outbreak now reaches every Australian state except the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory, prompting many veterinary practices to ban treatment of wild birds. Mish Simpson’s wildlife clinic in Adelaide’s Onkaparinga Hills reports a sharp rise in cases and expects “hundreds” of birds during the breeding season, many injured by cars or fires. Without dedicated funding, clinics are creating temporary isolation spaces at their own expense, but risk having to euthanise recoverable birds.
The Australian Veterinary Association seeks $7.5 million in federal support, a request the Department of Agriculture has not addressed. Veterinarians also call for H5 testing kits to distinguish infected from healthy birds, a request the South Australian Department of Primary Industries says has no current plans. Advocacy group Sophie's Legacy highlights the mental-health toll on vets, warning that increased pressure could exacerbate the profession’s crisis.
Why it matters
Lack of funding may lead to large-scale killing of healthy wildlife and worsen veterinarians’ mental-health strain.
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