An Australian sea lion died from H5 bird flu on Kangaroo Island despite recovering from a shark attack, marking the first confirmed death in this critically endangered species. The species numbers only 10,000-12,000 globally with 85% in South Australia; bird flu has devastated seal populations elsewhere, causing 75-95% mortality in some colonies.
First H5 bird flu death threatens Australia's rarest seal species
One endangered Australian sea lion died from H5 bird flu; scientists warn of potential catastrophic population losses if the virus spreads through the remaining 10,000-12,000 individuals.
Politics & Governance