Australian Fur Seal
Credit: Wildlife Victoria
Wildlife Victoria is supporting the state government’s H5 bird flu response with its Travelling Veterinary Service today deployed to south-west Victoria and trained volunteers responding across the state.
Wildlife Victoria’s veterinary team will be stationed near Portland and respond in field across the region to wildlife impacted by H5 bird flu. The team brings extensive wildlife expertise and experience and will provide support to the region’s community, local veterinary clinics, and hardworking volunteers.
The deployment marks the latest in a series of in-field responses, with Wildlife Victoria previously deploying its expert wildlife veterinary team, operational personnel and volunteers during catastrophic heat events impacting wildlife earlier this year.
“Having a veterinary team that operates out of fully equipped rapid response all terrain mobile vehicles means we can deploy them to where they are needed most. We’re currently seeing a significant proportion of H5 bird flu cases in south-west Victoria and along the South Australian border.
Our veterinary team will assess live wildlife suspected of having H5 bird flu, provide treatment when possible, and undertake humane euthanasia when this is the most appropriate action to end suffering.” Lisa Palma, Wildlife Victoria CEO
The Wildlife Victoria team will be embedded into the government-led incident response and work closely with Agriculture Victoria and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) to assist on-the-ground efforts to reduce the impact of the outbreak.
“By safely removing affected birds from the environment, we can reduce potential transmission opportunities and hopefully slow the spread of this devastating virus.” Lisa Palma, Wildlife Victoria CEO
Wildlife Victoria volunteers across the state are now being deployed to respond to suspected H5 impacted wildlife cases referred to Wildlife Victoria from Agriculture Victoria’s Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.
The response has been made possible through government funding recently announced by Victoria’s Environment Minister, Jaclyn Symes.
Funding will also bolster Wildlife Victoria’s 24/7 Emergency Response Service, helping ensure the phone line is adequately staffed to receive calls from members of the public and referrals from the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.
“Wildlife Victoria has been a lifeline for the state’s wildlife and the community who care for them since 1989. I commend the government for recognising the important role Wildlife Victoria, its volunteers and veterinary staff play in responding to this emerging threat to our native wildlife.” Lisa Palma, Wildlife Victoria CEO
About Wildlife Victoria
Wildlife Victoria is a non-profit organisation that has operated the state’s leading wildlife Emergency Response Service since 1989. In 2025, Wildlife Victoria’s Emergency Response Service received over 189,000 calls for help from members of the public, assisting 114,636 native animals across 450 different species. Wildlife Victoria advocates for wildlife whenever their welfare is under threat. Wildlife Victoria relies on the generosity of the community to deliver this vital service.
INDEPENDENT NEWS IS IMPORTANT.
Enjoy reading Eco Voice? Please help us by purchasing a GIFT Voucher or send one to a friend and encourage people to purchase trees or seeds via The Native Shop – www.nativeshop.com.au
Plants, seeds & more delivered to your door!