Breaking: H5 bird flu found in four sea lions, including a pup, on SA islands

Four sea lions test positive for H5 bird flu at key breeding ground off Kangaroo IslandPosted Mon 21 Sep 2026 at 11:53amMon 21 Sep 2026 at 11:53am, updated Mon 21 Sep 2026 at 12:16pmMon 21 Sep 2026 at 12:16pmThere have been multiple H5 bird flu cases found in South Australian sea lions. File image. (ABC South East SA: Caroline Horn)South Australia’s sea lion population is increasingly being impacted by the H5 bird flu, with four of the mammals – including one pup – testing positive for the virus.The sea lions were among several found dead on the North Page and South Page islands, a key breeding location for the animals between the South Australian mainland and Kangaroo Island.There has also been a mass mortality event involving crested terns on the Pages, with about 900 of the birds found dead.SA Environment Minister Emily Bourke said out of 10 deceased sea lions available for testing, three adults and one pup returned positive results.The results bring the total number of South Australian sea lions with bird flu up to five, following a positive case at Kangaroo Island's Seal Bay last week.There have been significant fears from environmentalists that the virus could devastate the sea lion population, which is recorded as endangered on international threatened species lists.Ms Bourke said discussions are underway with the federal government to gain approval for a vaccine trial targeting mammals.She said a separate trial aimed specifically at birds has been underway at Cleland Wildlife Park, with more than 150 vaccines administered since last month."We are pulling every lever possible to show we are willing, able and capable of participating in a national vaccine program," she said.Separately, magpies have also tested positive at Hindmarsh Island, which Ms Bourke said was indication the virus would eventually travel further inland."We've seen it in Monarto, we've seen it in metropolitan areas, within inland areas in South Australia," she said."This isn't a coastal issue ... it is a national issue, and it is being addressed that way."The government said two dead sea lions on Liguanea Island, off the southern point of Eyre Peninsula, were also tested but returned negative results for bird flu.