CSIRO confirms Australia's first mass bird flu die-off as H5N1 spreads across southern coast

CSIRO confirmed H5N1 in samples from five greater crested terns and a silver gull at Baudin Rocks, South Australia — roughly 50 dead and 30 sick birds. Australia was the last continent free of H5N1 before its first mainland case in June 2026. Environment Minister Murray Watt warned "this is the beginning" of a protracted wildlife crisis, noting wild bird movement cannot be stopped.