Vaccination efforts for Tasmania’s critically endangered orange-bellied parrots have commenced, with approximately 350 captive birds set to receive protection against the H5 bird flu virus. The program began on Tuesday, September 1, at the Five Mile Beach Wildlife Management Facility, according to ABC News.

The initiative comes as the H5 bird flu has now been detected across Tasmania, posing a significant threat to the state’s wildlife. Tasmania recorded its first case of the deadly H5N1 strain on August 13, when a brown skua found at Burgess Cove, near Rocky Cape on the North-West coast, tested positive. The virus has also impacted wildlife in five other Australian states.

Deputy Premier Guy Barnett stated that the state and federal governments collaborated to implement the vaccination program. Federal Minister Julie Collins highlighted the importance of early investment in scientific preparation for the bird flu response, as reported by the ABC.

The vaccination process involves two doses administered two weeks apart, followed by a monitoring period by veterinarians. Wildlife biologist Clare Lawrence noted that eight birds from Healesville Sanctuary were among the first to be vaccinated, as they are scheduled for release in October. Once vaccinated, the parrots will be released at Melaleuca in southwest Tasmania, where they will join the wild population ahead of their annual migration to the mainland next autumn.

The orange-bellied parrot is one of Australia’s rarest birds, with only 88 individuals detected in the wild last year, making the vaccination program crucial for the species’ survival. While vaccination is a vital step for captive populations, it is not a practical option for most wild bird species.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) has been working with federal government veterinarians on the vaccine, noting that strict federal permit conditions limit the species currently suitable for vaccination. These conditions include specific requirements for bird weight, age, and post-vaccination monitoring.

While the focus is currently on the orange-bellied parrot, plans are being developed for other threatened species. However, there is currently no approved H5 avian influenza vaccine for mammals, raising concerns for species like the Tasmanian devil, which could come into contact with sick or dead birds.

For more details, readers are encouraged to refer to the original reporting by ABC News (Tasmania).