A wildlife group in Kaikōura is asking for a review of a decision not to vaccinate little penguins against H5 bird flu. The Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust says the local population of about 50 kororā is already under serious pressure and could be badly affected if the virus reaches the area. The Department of Conservation, known as DOC, says its current vaccination programme is focused on threatened bird species at the highest risk from the disease.
DOC says kororā do not currently meet the criteria for vaccination because their overall population is not considered to face the same level of extinction risk as some other threatened species. However, the Trust believes the small Kaikōura population is especially vulnerable. It says the birds already face problems such as a lack of food and could struggle to recover from a serious outbreak.
Bird flu has affected birds in other parts of the world, and Australian authorities are planning to vaccinate thousands of little penguins in Victoria. The Trust says this could provide useful lessons for New Zealand. DOC says it is preparing to expand its vaccination programme to up to 25 more priority species after receiving approval from the Ministry for Primary Industries.
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said vaccination was only one part of the work being done to protect birds from H5 bird flu. Other measures include watching for the disease, improving biosecurity and working with iwi and conservation groups. DOC will continue assessing the risks as the bird flu situation develops in New Zealand.
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