NZ Boosts Bird Flu Surveillance with $150k for Wildlife Facilities

The New Zealand Government has announced $150,000 in one-off funding for six accredited wildlife care facilities that assist with the country's bird flu surveillance and response.

The funding was announced by Conservation Minister Tama Potaka and Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard. The facilities already work under existing surveillance contracts with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). The six recipients are:

• Dunedin Wildlife Hospital
• Wellington Zoo
• Auckland Zoo (New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine - NZCCM)
• BirdCare Aotearoa
• South Island Wildlife Hospital
• Massey Wildbase Hospital

What the Funding Is For

Mr Hoggard said early detection will be critical to limiting the impact on industries, wildlife and communities if bird flu spreads beyond individual wild birds. Facilities can put the money towards what they need most, whether that is stronger biosecurity protocols, new equipment or more capacity to care for sick or injured native birds.

Mr Potaka described wildlife care facilities as important partners in protecting vulnerable native species, and said the funding helps them keep caring for wildlife safely. MPI has also offered the facilities wider support, including equipment and practical information.

What Pet Owners and the Public Should Do

• Protect pet birds: MPI advises making bird enclosures birdproof by repairing or blocking holes, keeping your birds away from ponds, lakes and creeks used by wild birds, and stopping wild birds from getting at your pets' food and water.
• Keep dogs and cats away from dead birds: MPI notes dogs and cats have only rarely been infected overseas, but advises not letting pets eat or touch sick or dead animals. DOC recommends keeping dogs on a leash, especially in areas with native wildlife. If your pet becomes unwell after contact with wild birds, contact your vet.
• Do not handle wildlife: Do not touch sick or dead birds.
• Three or more birds: Report a group of three or more sick or dead wild birds to the MPI Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline on 0800 80 99 66 or online at report.mpi.govt.nz.
• One or two native birds: For one or two sick native birds, call DOC's emergency hotline on 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468). Do not take sick birds to DOC offices or wildlife rehabilitation centres.

For more on keeping birds in New Zealand, see our Pet Birds in New Zealand Legal Guide and Bird Cages & Setup NZ.

Sources

• https://insidegovernment.co.nz/150000-funding-boost-for-bird-flu-surveillance/
• https://www.mpi.govt.nz/biosecurity/pest-and-disease-threats-to-new-zealand/animal-disease-threats-to-new-zealand/h5-bird-flu/protecting-your-birds-and-other-pets
• https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/wildlife-health/avian-influenza/