00:02For top-end locals, the impending threat of bird flu is a dark cloud hanging over a colourful
00:08spread of native species.
00:10We're getting a bit worried about this bird flu thing when it comes up, because it's going
00:14to take away a lot of privileges of me taking where the other birds are, and we're going
00:19to lose a lot of good birds over it.
00:21While H5N1 bird flu is yet to reach the Northern Territory, veterinary experts say it's only
00:27a matter of time.
00:28It's definitely going to happen, so it could be weeks as early as that, could be months,
00:35but it's a national event.
00:37Authorities are sampling water and faeces in areas where large populations of birds are
00:42known to gather, with the top-end coastline and Barkley Lakes regions of particular concern.
00:48But with a small commercial poultry industry and a large number of backyard chooks, they're
00:53calling on bird owners to be vigilant.
00:55The number one priority is to protect their birds from wild birds, and that includes enclosing
01:01their runs, putting cover over the runs, food and water supplies, ensuring that they're
01:08out of the way of the wild birds.
01:10Key to the Government's response, harnessing the power of the Territory's many bird enthusiasts
01:15to look out for native species.
01:17Yeah, look, I think that's enormously important, and the networks are in place, and you've got
01:21people right across the Northern Territory, which is always the authorities' big problem.
01:26They haven't got any staff in most places.
01:28So with the bird-watching fraternities and with the indigenous communities and ranger programs
01:32and the like, you've got people spread right across the country, and a lot of those people
01:36know a heck of a lot about their birds and what normal bird behaviour is.
01:39A united front, flocking together to face an inevitable hardship.
01:43F
01:43You
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