- Vaccination trial underway for three threatened endemic species of black cockatoo
- Further strengthens action to manage bird flu among priority species
- Zoo trial is first of its kind in Western Australia
- Continues Cook Labor Government’s strengthening of safeguards around WA wildlife
Perth Zoo is piloting a vaccination trial for three threatened black cockatoo species as part of the Cook Labor Government’s proactive efforts to manage bird flu among Western Australia’s iconic native wildlife.
The vaccination trial is being undertaken with birds in the zoo’s permanent population. It is focusing on three key black cockatoo species: endangered Carnaby’s, endangered Baudin’s, and vulnerable forest red-tailed black cockatoos.
Earlier this week, the Commonwealth Government announced that vaccinations for bird flu would soon be rolled out across the country, prioritising native species in captivity.
The zoo’s study will closely monitor the birds for any adverse reactions and measure the effectiveness of their immune response. Antibody levels will be tracked over time to determine how effectively the vaccine may protect black cockatoos from bird flu.
Findings from the trial, which commenced in May, will inform future safeguarding efforts for threatened cockatoos in the event of a bird flu outbreak.
To protect its native animal populations, the zoo has also installed physical roofing barriers and other deterrents to reduce interactions between wild birds and threatened species, including black cockatoos, numbats, and western ground parrots.
The zoo plays a leading role in Western Australia’s black cockatoo conservation, with more than 350 wild birds triaged and treated in its hospital each year. It is continuing to triage and treat injured and unwell black cockatoos in collaboration with local wildlife rehabilitators.
Despite WA remaining free of local transmission of bird flu, the State is not immune to the broader risks posed by the disease’s spread through wild birds.
That is why the Cook Labor Government continues to invest in preparedness and strengthen response plans to manage bird flu in WA’s environment and wildlife.
This work includes:
- regular engagement with the poultry industry, local governments, veterinarians, and wildlife rehabilitators, including webinars held since bird flu was first detected in Western Australia;
- enhanced surveillance and testing across the State, supported by trained field teams, expanded laboratory capacity and increased supplies of sampling equipment and personal protective equipment;
- additional training for response personnel in safe sampling techniques, biosecurity procedures, and the correct use of personal protective equipment;
- divisional commands established in Perth, Esperance, Albany, Bunbury, and Geraldton to co-ordinate regional operations, with additional capability in northern Western Australia ready to be activated if required;
- increased surveillance capacity across the metropolitan area, South West, Great Southern, Wheatbelt, and Mid West, including joint Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions monitoring at priority coastal and island locations;
- vessels and field teams deployed to locations including Lancelin and Edwards Island to monitor wildlife populations and identify signs of illness or unusual mortality;
- a central bird flu website and weekly public updates providing clear information and helping Western Australians contribute to early detection;
- a new interactive dashboard showing bird flu detections and testing activity across the State;
- the establishment of a new bird flu advisory group to strengthen collaboration with the wildlife sector;
- Bird Flu Wildlife Resilience Grants for wildlife groups to prepare for the impacts of bird flu;
- a stakeholder communications toolkit providing consistent, practical information for industry, community organisations, and other partners to share through their networks; and
- regular engagement with the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases and the National Management Group.
The risk to human health is low, but people are reminded not to handle sick or dead wildlife.
Anyone who sees sick or dead birds or other wildlife should avoid contact, record the location, and what they see, and report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
As stated by the Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn:
“Western Australia’s black cockatoos are among our most iconic and threatened species, and we are taking decisive action to build their resilience against the growing threat of bird flu.
“Perth Zoo is uniquely positioned to lead this critical research, drawing on world-class veterinary expertise and decades of experience in black cockatoo conservation.
“While vaccine trials have been undertaken overseas, this is among the first of its kind in Australia.
“The findings will help determine whether vaccination can become a powerful new tool to protect black cockatoos and other vulnerable wildlife at Perth Zoo from bird flu.”
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:
“We’re continuing to strengthen Western Australia’s preparedness for bird flu.
“Vaccination is one part of the broader response, alongside enhanced surveillance, strong biosecurity, and regular engagement with the wildlife sector and poultry industry.
“We know bird flu has had devastating impacts overseas, and we will continue to strengthen our response to help our native wildlife and reduce the risk to poultry as this threat evolves.”
As stated by Federal Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Julie Collins:
“The Albanese Labor Government is working closely with states and territories to protect our nation’s unique and iconic birdlife from the threat of bird flu.
“More than $113 million has been invested by our government to strengthen our nation’s preparedness for bird flu including almost $2 million into vaccines and trials.”
