Experts warn that Western Australia’s iconic black swans and pelicans are particularly susceptible if H5N1 bird flu continues to spread throughout the state.

Press PLAY to hear Mandy Bamford discuss the threat of H5N1 bird flu

Mandy Bamford, director of Birdlife Australia, told 6PR Mornings host Simon Beaumont that the virus has already wiped out 13,000 of the 17,000 southern elephant seal pups on Heard Island.

Now that the threat has reached Western Australian shores, public reporting is vital to help monitor the virus.

“If people see unwell birds or dead birds they should report them, they shouldn’t touch them”, she said.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has recorded 42 calls in 24 hours to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline from locations across the state.

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