Australia races to shield little penguins from H5N1 bird flu

Nature Parks rangers processing a little penguin, including weighing, microchipping, scanning and vaccinating it, as part of the H5N1 bird flu vaccination program at Phillip Island Nature Parks in Victoria, on Aug 19, 2026. (Photo: AFP/Phillip Island Nature Parks) 20 Aug 2026 01:46PM SYDNEY: Australian wildlife workers

According to ABC News Australia wildlife conservation agencies in the state of Victoria have launched a program to vaccinate little penguins against the H5 strain of avian influenza. Over the next few weeks, experts plan to capture and vaccinate more than 5,000 birds in colonies on Philip Island and St. Kilda.

4FR/Getty A major push is underway to catch and vaccinate more than 5,000 little penguins in Victoria to protect them against the virulent H5N1 bird flu. Victorian wildlife officers will carry out vaccinations at little penguin colonies at Phillip Island and St Kilda, in what the state government says is the world’s l