Sub-Antarctic beaches littered with thousands of dead seals. Photo: Jarrod Hodgson,
Australian Antarctic Program
Australian Antarctic Program
By Catherine Watson
Australian scientists have documented devastating losses among penguins and seals on remote Antarctic islands as authorities prepare for the likely arrival of H5 bird flu in Victoria.
The findings have heightened concern for Phillip Island's internationally significant little penguin colony and Australian fur seal population.
Last week scientists from the Australian Antarctic Program released their findings on mortality rates in penguin and seal colonies on remote sub-Antarctic Heard Island and McDonald Islands.
Australian scientists have documented devastating losses among penguins and seals on remote Antarctic islands as authorities prepare for the likely arrival of H5 bird flu in Victoria.
The findings have heightened concern for Phillip Island's internationally significant little penguin colony and Australian fur seal population.
Last week scientists from the Australian Antarctic Program released their findings on mortality rates in penguin and seal colonies on remote sub-Antarctic Heard Island and McDonald Islands.
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Six species out of nine testing positive for the H5N1 avian flu. These included southern elephant seal, king penguin, gentoo penguin, Antarctic fur seal and South Georgia diving petrel.
Analysis of drone surveys taken on two voyages in October 2025 and January 2026 reveal very high mortality in southern elephant seal pups and elevated mortality in king and gentoo penguins. Photos show the beaches littered with dead seals. Analysis of data collected in October estimated average pup mortality was 76 per cent in the final surveys and as high as 97 per cent in one area. |
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By January 2026, widespread elephant seal pup mortality was detected in all surveyed breeding areas, including evidence of mortality at McDonald Island (by drone survey).
Dr Lauren Roman, a seabird researcher in the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies at the University of Tasmania, said winter brings many seabirds from the sub-Antarctic to the seas off southern Australia.
She said there were high concerns for threatened species such as the Australian sea lion, fairy tern and little terns, as well as the short-tailed shearwater.
Associate Professor Vinod Balasubramaniam, a molecular virologist at Monash University, said Australia has dealt with highly pathogenic avian influenza before but H5N1 was different.
“Since 2021, H5N1 has moved through wild birds at scale, repeatedly spilled into mammals, devastated seabird colonies, infected marine mammals, and entered dairy cattle overseas.”
The overseas experience raises uncomfortable questions about how much protection can realistically be provided to free-ranging wildlife if the virus reaches Phillip Island's penguin and seal colonies.
A Phillip Island Nature Parks spokesperson said Nature Parks has been planning for the arrival of this bird flu strain since 2023.
“This is the first time this strain of bird flu has been detected in Australia, and while the disease has not been detected in Victoria yet, we have increased monitoring of penguin and seal colonies, and migratory shorebird areas, and have an active Avian Influenza Response Plan in place.
“Over the past three years the Nature Parks has invested significant resources into building the health and resilience of habitat for little penguins, eastern barred bandicoots, short-tailed shearwaters and shorebirds.
“This resilience work supports a species’ ability to respond to environmental threats including disease.”
Asked what protections would be used if the virus reached Phillip Island, Nature Parks declined to provide details, saying management arrangements could change as the situation evolved.
Dr Lauren Roman, a seabird researcher in the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies at the University of Tasmania, said winter brings many seabirds from the sub-Antarctic to the seas off southern Australia.
She said there were high concerns for threatened species such as the Australian sea lion, fairy tern and little terns, as well as the short-tailed shearwater.
Associate Professor Vinod Balasubramaniam, a molecular virologist at Monash University, said Australia has dealt with highly pathogenic avian influenza before but H5N1 was different.
“Since 2021, H5N1 has moved through wild birds at scale, repeatedly spilled into mammals, devastated seabird colonies, infected marine mammals, and entered dairy cattle overseas.”
The overseas experience raises uncomfortable questions about how much protection can realistically be provided to free-ranging wildlife if the virus reaches Phillip Island's penguin and seal colonies.
A Phillip Island Nature Parks spokesperson said Nature Parks has been planning for the arrival of this bird flu strain since 2023.
“This is the first time this strain of bird flu has been detected in Australia, and while the disease has not been detected in Victoria yet, we have increased monitoring of penguin and seal colonies, and migratory shorebird areas, and have an active Avian Influenza Response Plan in place.
“Over the past three years the Nature Parks has invested significant resources into building the health and resilience of habitat for little penguins, eastern barred bandicoots, short-tailed shearwaters and shorebirds.
“This resilience work supports a species’ ability to respond to environmental threats including disease.”
Asked what protections would be used if the virus reached Phillip Island, Nature Parks declined to provide details, saying management arrangements could change as the situation evolved.