On Tuesday 25 November, a number of dead birds were observed washed up on Bumboras Beach with a currently unknown cause of death. Due to the threat Avian Flu poses on bird life elsewhere in the world, investigations are currently underway to test the birds. As a precaution, the birds have been collected, tested and destroyed.
On Friday 28 November, the initial investigation at the lower Bumboras Beach area was completed and the area is now safe for public use. Results from offshore Avian Flu testing will not be available until late next week. However, as all affected birds have been removed from the area and no further deaths have been observed, the risk to the public and wider environment is now low.
Council reminds the community to be vigilant and to avoid, record, and report any bird death events of 5 or more birds, or any birds that look distressed or sick. Please keep your cats contained on your property, and your dogs controlled on a leash in bird habitat areas, as contact with infected birds can be dangerous to your pets.
If you observe numbers of dead or sick birds around the island, please call Customer Care on 22001, or if outside hours call Doug on 55158, Tanya on 55513, or if within the National Park the Duty Officers phone on 53218.
Further information, including our Avian Flu factsheets, is available via the following link: