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  • 14 hours ago
Endangered birds at a wildlife sanctuary in the Adelaide Hills will be the first in South Australia to be vaccinated against avian influenza. More than thirty species will be targeted, in hope of saving them from the deadly virus. But those in the wild, along with other animals, remain largely defenceless.

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00:02Some of Australia's most loved and threatened birds kept in captivity.
00:08Protected from predators and soon a little safer from a new enemy.
00:13It's definitely not a silver bullet, this is the last line of defence for our birds.
00:17100 birds at Cleland Wildlife Park will be vaccinated against H5 avian flu,
00:22including critically endangered orange-bellied parrots and regent honey eaters.
00:27We've seen around the world that there's nothing we can do to stop the flu, the H5 bird flu,
00:32but what we can do is be as prepared as possible and be able to provide this sort of extra
00:37tool.
00:38Federal authorities approving the additional safeguard beyond biosecurity controls,
00:43including closing aviaries to the public.
00:46We know alone they are one tool, but when they are together they are a package
00:50in how we support not only our wildlife but also our industry when it comes to bird flu.
00:55As with penguins on Phillip Island, each bird needs to be vaccinated twice, two weeks apart.
01:02First jabs at the moment we're just really understanding that we've got access to that vaccination,
01:06so at the moment it's really about planning as soon as we possibly and practically and safely can do so.
01:12Given the difficulties with vaccinating wild birds, including the need for two doses,
01:17the program here will be a crucial measure in at least attempting to safeguard endangered species.
01:24Authorities concede the treatment is not yet proven and there is still no vaccine for mammals,
01:30as testing confirms a second seal has contracted bird flu in South Australia.
01:35On Kangaroo Island, visitors to Seal Bay are now being forced to clean footwear,
01:40as endangered sea lions come close to the boardwalk.
01:44A second penguin is now a suspected case, but there remains no spread to poultry.
01:49A second penguin is now a suspected woman.
01:53You may hear what that means, without these things that might be bad,
01:55They're still feeling the better to the boat.
01:55You
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