Australia launches program to vaccinate colonies of little penguins against avian influenza

Victoria's wildlife conservation agencies have initiated a program to vaccinate little penguins against the H5 strain of avian influenza. Over the coming weeks, over 5,000 birds from colonies on Philip Island and St. Kilda will be vaccinated. The virus, detected two and a half weeks ago in southwestern Victoria, has spread to Philip Island.

A confirmed death of a little penguin from the virus on the island has raised concerns. The Phillip Island colony, numbering up to 40,000 birds, is one of the world's largest. A May 2025 state government study predicted that, in a worst-case scenario, between 8,000 and 16,000 penguins could die from the virus. Little penguins are particularly vulnerable due to their habit of nesting and gathering in large groups.

Victoria's Chief Biodiversity Officer, James Todd, stated that the vaccinations will be conducted at night, when penguins return from the sea, to direct them to a special area for vaccination and microchipping. The process is complicated as it requires two doses of the vaccine, which is usually impractical for wild animals. Priority will be given to penguins involved in the tourist "penguin parade" for their familiarity with people and predictable movement patterns.

The nightly public shows will continue for now. While Philip Island is considered well-prepared for the vaccination program, experts advise starting the campaign earlier. Officials are also considering expanding the program to include vulnerable captive animal species.