Avian Influenza - HPAI H5N1
We want to prepare our community for important changes that are necessary now Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in Tasmania. For up to date information on HPAI in Tasmania go to the NRE Bird Flu website.
Now HPAI is confirmed in Tasmania, Penguin Rehab & Release will need to operate under strict quarantine and biosecurity procedures to protect the penguins in our care, our volunteers, and the wider community.
These procedures are necessary, but they also take significantly more time, equipment and volunteer labour. Penguin Rehab & Release is entirely volunteer-run, and the additional time required for strict quarantine procedures will significantly increase the workload involved in caring for each bird.
As a result, we will not be able to care for as many birds as we normally would.
Under normal circumstances, we care for a range of seabird species that need rehabilitation, but once now HPAI is confirmed in Tasmania, we will only be able to accept penguins into care. We will not be able to take in other species of seabirds.
We will also need to place strict limits on the number of penguins entering rehabilitation.
This will be difficult for everyone.
There may be times when a seabird needs help but we simply do not have the capacity to care for it.
We ask for the community's patience, understanding and cooperation during this time. These decisions will never be made lightly.
Our priority will be to protect the birds already in our care and ensure that we can continue to provide them with the highest standard of care possible.
Now HPAI is confirmed in Tasmania, Penguin Rehab & Release will need to operate under strict quarantine and biosecurity procedures to protect the penguins in our care, our volunteers, and the wider community.
These procedures are necessary, but they also take significantly more time, equipment and volunteer labour. Penguin Rehab & Release is entirely volunteer-run, and the additional time required for strict quarantine procedures will significantly increase the workload involved in caring for each bird.
As a result, we will not be able to care for as many birds as we normally would.
Under normal circumstances, we care for a range of seabird species that need rehabilitation, but once now HPAI is confirmed in Tasmania, we will only be able to accept penguins into care. We will not be able to take in other species of seabirds.
We will also need to place strict limits on the number of penguins entering rehabilitation.
This will be difficult for everyone.
There may be times when a seabird needs help but we simply do not have the capacity to care for it.
We ask for the community's patience, understanding and cooperation during this time. These decisions will never be made lightly.
Our priority will be to protect the birds already in our care and ensure that we can continue to provide them with the highest standard of care possible.
Symptomatic Birds
What to do if you find a penguin showing signs of HPAI:
· A lack of coordination, tremors, swimming in circles
· Twisted neck or other abnormal posture
· Inability to stand
· Difficulty breathing, coughing or sneezing
· Cloudiness or change in colour of the eyes
Unfortunately, we cannot bring penguins showing symptoms consistent with HPAI into our rehabilitation facility. Doing so could put every other penguin in our care at risk.
For a penguin showing signs of HPAI, remaining in the wild may provide its best opportunity for recovery. While this can be extremely distressing to witness, some birds do survive HPAI infection, and allowing them to remain in their natural environment gives them the opportunity to recover.
If you come across a penguin that is showing symptoms consistent with HPAI, please remember: AVOID — RECORD — REPORT
AVOID
Do not approach, touch, catch or move the bird. Keep yourself, children and pets away from the bird and avoid disturbing it.
RECORD
From a safe distance, take photos or video if you can do so without approaching the bird. Note the location, date and time, and anything you observe about the bird's condition or behaviour.
REPORT
Emergency Animal Disease Hotline - 1800 675 888
Report the sighting to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline and follow their advice. Please provide the location, photos or video if requested, and details of what you have observed.
We understand that it can be incredibly difficult to see a sick penguin and not intervene. However, keeping your distance is one of the most important things you can do to protect the bird, other penguins and yourself.
· A lack of coordination, tremors, swimming in circles
· Twisted neck or other abnormal posture
· Inability to stand
· Difficulty breathing, coughing or sneezing
· Cloudiness or change in colour of the eyes
Unfortunately, we cannot bring penguins showing symptoms consistent with HPAI into our rehabilitation facility. Doing so could put every other penguin in our care at risk.
For a penguin showing signs of HPAI, remaining in the wild may provide its best opportunity for recovery. While this can be extremely distressing to witness, some birds do survive HPAI infection, and allowing them to remain in their natural environment gives them the opportunity to recover.
If you come across a penguin that is showing symptoms consistent with HPAI, please remember: AVOID — RECORD — REPORT
AVOID
Do not approach, touch, catch or move the bird. Keep yourself, children and pets away from the bird and avoid disturbing it.
RECORD
From a safe distance, take photos or video if you can do so without approaching the bird. Note the location, date and time, and anything you observe about the bird's condition or behaviour.
REPORT
Emergency Animal Disease Hotline - 1800 675 888
Report the sighting to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline and follow their advice. Please provide the location, photos or video if requested, and details of what you have observed.
We understand that it can be incredibly difficult to see a sick penguin and not intervene. However, keeping your distance is one of the most important things you can do to protect the bird, other penguins and yourself.
Penguins not showing HPAI symptoms
What should you do if you find a penguin requiring help that is not showing symptoms of HPAI?
Phone Penguin Rehab & Release – 0437 565 672
If you contact us about a potential rescue, please be patient with us as we ask you a number of additional questions about the situation and the birds symptoms. Please provide as precise a location as possible, so that our volunteers can reach the bird without delay.
Observe the bird from a distance and please do not move or handle it unless instructed to do so.
Please understand that our response may take longer than usual because every rescue must be carefully managed to prevent contamination and protect the birds already in care.
Our rescue and transport volunteers will need time to gather the required PPE and equipment and travel to the location. We will need members of the public to stay and observe the penguin from a safe distance while our trained volunteers get kitted up and make their way to you. Your help in keeping the penguin in sight can make a huge difference. Our rescue team is entirely volunteer-run, with limited people available to respond, so knowing exactly where the bird is located is essential. We won’t be able to attend rescues if we do not have someone keeping track of the bird. Even very unwell birds will instinctively hide and we will not be able to find them when we arrive if someone is not keeping track of them.
As we are based in Burnie it may take considerable time for our rescue team to reach areas further along the coast.
We know it is incredibly hard to see an animal in distress and be asked to wait. We also know that our community cares deeply about our seabirds and penguins and we are incredibly grateful for that.
Caring for penguins during a HPAI outbreak means doing things differently. Your patience, cooperation and understanding will help our volunteers continue caring for as many birds as we safely can.
Phone Penguin Rehab & Release – 0437 565 672
If you contact us about a potential rescue, please be patient with us as we ask you a number of additional questions about the situation and the birds symptoms. Please provide as precise a location as possible, so that our volunteers can reach the bird without delay.
Observe the bird from a distance and please do not move or handle it unless instructed to do so.
Please understand that our response may take longer than usual because every rescue must be carefully managed to prevent contamination and protect the birds already in care.
Our rescue and transport volunteers will need time to gather the required PPE and equipment and travel to the location. We will need members of the public to stay and observe the penguin from a safe distance while our trained volunteers get kitted up and make their way to you. Your help in keeping the penguin in sight can make a huge difference. Our rescue team is entirely volunteer-run, with limited people available to respond, so knowing exactly where the bird is located is essential. We won’t be able to attend rescues if we do not have someone keeping track of the bird. Even very unwell birds will instinctively hide and we will not be able to find them when we arrive if someone is not keeping track of them.
As we are based in Burnie it may take considerable time for our rescue team to reach areas further along the coast.
We know it is incredibly hard to see an animal in distress and be asked to wait. We also know that our community cares deeply about our seabirds and penguins and we are incredibly grateful for that.
Caring for penguins during a HPAI outbreak means doing things differently. Your patience, cooperation and understanding will help our volunteers continue caring for as many birds as we safely can.