According to local Ballarat legend, when colonisers attempted to introduce white swans at Lake Wendouree, the native black swans attacked and killed the introduced species.
But the iconic swans, beloved by locals and visitors alike, now face an even greater threat to their existence — a deadly strain of avian influenza, which has killed millions of birds overseas.
Visitors to Ballarat’s Lake Wendouree love seeing cygnets each year. (Supplied: Randal Smith Photography)
Both Threatened Species Commissioner Dr Fiona Fraser and bird flu expert Dr Michelle Wille have warned that native birds could face “mass mortality events” if the virus — known as HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) H5N1 strain — reaches the country.
Last year, a study found black swans were particularly susceptible to the virus and could be wiped out if highly pathogenic forms of bird flu took hold in Australia.
Unprepared for ‘mass death’
Experts are fearing the extinction of black swans if a deadly strain of bird flu hits Australia. (Supplied: Breemckphotography iva ABCmyphoto)
“It’s not only the mass death that really scares me,” Golo Maurer, Birdlife Australia’s director of conservation strategy, said.
“It’s also the potential that we might actually lose entire species in the process.
“There is no sugar coating it, it’s horrible.”
Dr Maurer said the virus could arrive soon, as migratory birds — coming from places overseas where the virus was occurring — arrive in Australia during spring.
The forecast of another La Niña, which may lead to significant inland rain events, could mean migratory birds “take a more inland route and get to those places as well [as coastal areas]”, Dr Maurer said.
While the virus’ arrival cannot be prevented, Dr Maurer said its impacts could be reduced through preparation and timely responses.
This includes monitoring for early signs of the virus among bird populations, identifying at-risk species and sites, developing response plans and establishing protocols for safely removing animal carcasses which continue to shed the virus, Dr Mauer said.
“The risks that it [H5N1] poses to biodiversity, especially for some of the most at-risk and threatened species hasn’t yet been adequately prepared for,” Dr Maurer said.
A marine conservation team collects samples from a dead porpoise during an outbreak of bird flu in Brazil in 2023. (Reuters: Diego Vara)
Concern over Australia’s preparedness for an H5N1 outbreak among native wildlife was echoed by Biodiversity Council Director James Trezise.
“It is pleasing that Australian Governments have begun to focus on preparing for wildlife impacts but there is still a lot more work to be done,” Mr Trezise said.
“There needs to be a much greater ramping up of investment, and detailed planning for susceptible threatened species and locations where vulnerable species are concentrated.”
A spokesperson for the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water said a government taskforce had been established.
And work “to compile a susceptibility analysis for native bird and mammal species to guide prioritisations of actions” was ongoing.
Findings from recent scenario-based exercises aimed to improve Australia’s preparedness will be published soon, the spokesperson said.
Ballarat’s council is waiting on advice to protect native birds around its treasured Lake Wendouree from bird flu. (Flickr: Ed Dunens; licence)
‘Treasured wildlife’
Meanwhile, on the shores of Ballarat’s Lake Wendouree, life continues, unimpeded for now.
The black swans on Lake Wendouree are treasured wildlife and it is vital that preventative measures are taken to protect them, City of Ballarat’s Director Infrastructure and Environment, Bridget Wetherall said.
Ms Wetherall said the City of Ballarat would follow the advice of the state’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), which is the responsible authority for wildlife welfare.
“But to date we are yet to receive any advice regarding this particular strain of bird flu,” Ms Wetherall said.
A DEECA spokesperson said it was working with government agencies, land managers and other relevant organisations to prepare for an H5N1 detection in Victoria.
Anyone who notices any unusual signs of disease or mass mortalities among domesticated birds, wild birds or other wildlife is urged to contact the national Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 immediately.
