H5 bird flu has been detected in wild birds in Victoria. Pelicans, swans, shorebirds, birds of prey and seals are among the animals to watch for, and all of them live along the Mornington Peninsula coast. You can help by knowing what to do if you come across a sick or dead bird.
Three steps
- Avoid contact. Keep people and pets away from the bird and the area around it. Do not touch or collect wildlife.
- Record. Note what you saw, where it was, when you saw it and how many birds were affected.
- Report. Call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888, or use the online form on the Victorian Government wildlife site.
What to report
The Victorian Government's guidance asks you to report:
- clusters of 5 or more sick or dead wild birds of any species, anywhere in Victoria
- even one sick or dead seabird, waterbird, shorebird or bird of prey
- even one sick or dead marine mammal, such as a seal, sea lion or dolphin
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action assesses each report and decides whether testing is needed.
Pets and wildlife
Keep dogs and cats away from sick or dead wild birds and the area around them. If you have questions about your own pet, call the clinic on (03) 5955 2440 or use our contact page.
For other injured wildlife, our injured wildlife page lists the local rescue services and explains what we can do.