<
https://theconversation.com/australia-has-long-relied-on-volunteers-and-wildlife-carers-as-bird-flu-spreads-they-will-need-support-288389>
"Australia had years to prepare for the arrival of bird flu. The deadly, highly
transmissible H5N1 strain emerged in late 2020 in Asia, before spreading to
every other continent bar Australia.
After the first case was confirmed in Western Australia on June 19, federal
Environment Minister Murray Watt claimed the nation was well prepared.
Preparations include A$47 million of on-ground action such as improving habitat
and controlling introduced species, as well as boosting surveillance. The virus
is now spreading domestically, with mass mortality events being detected.
What the arrival of bird flu shows is how reliant conservation in Australia is
on volunteers. Early on, the first people responding to sick birds were often
volunteers and wildlife carers – even though authorities have consistently
asked the public to “avoid, record and report” any sick or dead animals.
Wildlife carers in Western Australia called for help and protective gear after
finding themselves on the frontline. The WA government is now distributing PPE.
As the virus spreads, nursing sick birds and animals is no longer possible for
volunteers. We will need these volunteers to report sightings and support
injured wildlife. They will need support."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
