20/06/2026
H5N1 Avian Bird Flu
Perth Wildlife Hospital remains open to accept all wildlife admissions. However, the situation is evolving rapidly and this may change at short notice. Please read the full post below.
Today, the six largest wildlife rehabilitation organisations in Western Australia met following confirmation of H5N1 avian influenza in WA.
We have been consulting with government agencies for the past 12 months to prepare for this event. Based on health advice from State and Federal Government authorities, all six facilities have agreed that once H5N1 is detected in local wild bird populations (rather than an isolated case in a migratory bird), we will cease accepting bird admissions to protect our frontline staff and volunteers.
H5N1 is a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza that can infect humans, particularly in environments where large numbers of birds are handled and treated. Wildlife hospitals and rehabilitation centres are not currently funded or equipped to safely manage an outbreak of this scale.
This decision will affect bird admissions at WA Wildlife Hospital, Kanyana Wildlife, Perth Wildlife Hospital, Darling Range Wildlife Shelter, Mandurah Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre. Without additional funding from state government, these organisations will also be unable to safely rescue and transport sick or injured birds across the Perth metropolitan area.
We remain in active discussions with DPIRD and DBCA and are hopeful that emergency State Government funding for PPE, additional staffing and temporary biosecure facilities will allow some wildlife facilities to safely continue, or resume, bird admissions if community cases are detected.
At this stage, all facilities remain open and continue to accept bird admissions, as well as reptile and mammal admissions. However, the situation is evolving rapidly and this may change at short notice.
We encourage the public to follow official advice from DBCA/DPIRD regarding sick or injured wildlife. Information can be found at: https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/management/threat-management/h5-avian-influenza-bird-flu
We are deeply saddened by this situation. However, the safety of our staff and volunteers must come first. We also have a responsibility to protect the hundreds of animals currently undergoing rehabilitation, along with the resident birds housed at our facilities.
We remain committed to working with government agencies and are hopeful that the funding support requested will enable parts of the wildlife rehabilitation sector to continue operating safely if H5N1 becomes established in Western Australia's wild bird populations.
If you would like to support our work, please donate here: https://www.mycause.com.au/page/396011/hospital-upgrades-fundraiser
