Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service

04/09/2026

🦅 H5 bird flu update

H5 bird flu has been detected in two new locations and in two new species.

A silver gull at Strahan has tested positive to H5 bird flu. This is the first detection at Strahan.

A black-faced cormorant has tested positive near Currie on King Island. This is the first detection in this species.

A peregrine falcon has tested positive at Britton’s Swamp in the far northwest. This is the first detection in this species and at Britton’s Swamp.

The number of H5 bird flu events in the state is now 28.

As Tasmania moves into longer-term response and surveillance actions, we will move away from reporting on every individual positive test result, instead future updates will focus on reporting new localities where H5 bird flu has been detected.

There are no mass mortalities and no detection in Tasmanian poultry. Chicken and eggs remain safe to eat.

Pet owners play a role in helping prevent the spread of H5 bird flu by keeping cats indoors or in enclosures, keeping dogs away from sick or dead wildlife, and preventing contact between wild birds and domestic birds or poultry.

Community reporting is helping support Tasmania's response efforts.

If you see sick or dead birds or other wildlife:
✅ Avoid contact
✅ Record what you see and where you saw it
✅ Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888

Check current advice at www.nre.tas.gov.au/birdflu

02/09/2026

🦅H5 bird flu update

A crested tern at Beaumaris has tested positive to H5 bird flu.

This is a second event in Tasmania’s North East and brings the number of H5 bird flu events in the State to 25.

As Tasmania moves into longer-term response and surveillance actions, NRE Tas will move away from reporting on every individual positive test result, instead future updates will focus on reporting new localities where H5 bird flu has been detected.

There are no mass mortalities and no detection in Tasmanian poultry. Chicken and eggs remain safe to eat.

Pet owners play a role in helping prevent the spread of H5 bird flu by keeping cats indoors or in enclosures, keeping dogs away from sick or dead wildlife, and preventing contact between wild birds and domestic birds or poultry.

Community reporting is helping support Tasmania's response efforts.

If you see sick or dead birds or other wildlife:

✅Avoid contact
✅Record what you see and where you saw it
✅Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888

✅Check current advice at www.nre.tas.gov.au/birdflu

02/09/2026

🦅H5 bird flu update

H5 bird flu has been detected in two new locations in Tasmania, in a crested tern at Wesley Vale and a sooty oystercatcher at Kelso.

This is the first positive detection in a sooty oystercatcher in Tasmania.

As Tasmania moves into longer-term response and surveillance actions, NRE Tas will move away from reporting on every individual positive test result, instead future updates will focus on reporting new localities where H5 bird flu has been detected.

There are no mass mortalities and no detection in Tasmanian poultry. Chicken and eggs remain safe to eat.

Pet owners play a role in helping prevent the spread of H5 bird flu by keeping cats indoors or in enclosures, keeping dogs away from sick or dead wildlife, and preventing contact between wild birds and domestic birds or poultry.

Community reporting is helping support Tasmania's response efforts.

If you see sick or dead birds or other wildlife:

✅ Avoid contact
✅Record what you see and where you saw it
✅Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888

✅Check current advice at www.nre.tas.gov.au/birdflu

01/09/2026

🦅H5 bird flu update

H5 bird flu has been detected in three new locations in Tasmania, in a tern at Marrawah, a forest raven at Triabunna and a tern at Acton Park.

Tasmania has now recorded 54 positive detections of H5 bird flu since the first detection in mid-August.

As Tasmania moves into longer-term response and surveillance actions, NRE Tas will move away from reporting on every individual positive test result, instead future updates will focus on reporting new localities where H5 bird flu has been detected.

There are no mass mortalities and no detection in Tasmanian poultry. Chicken and eggs remain safe to eat.

Dog owners are reminded to keep your dogs on a lead and away from dead birds, sick wildlife and animal carcasses.

Community reporting is helping support Tasmania's response efforts.

If you see sick or dead birds or other wildlife:

✅Avoid contact
✅ Record what you see and where you saw it
✅Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888

✅Check current advice at www.nre.tas.gov.au/birdflu

30/08/2026

Planning a trip to a national park? We all play a role in protecting Tasmania’s beautiful and unique natural environments.

Every healthy landscape begins with preparedness, prevention and protection.

By working together to detect and respond early to tree pests, diseases, invasive species and other biosecurity threats, we help protect our native plants, animals and green spaces.

🥾 Clean your clothing, shoes and gear before entering and leaving national parks.

🌳 Stay on the path and keep to designated roads and tracks.

📸 Report signs of weeds, pests and diseases to Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777 or [email protected]

To learn more visit: https://nre.tas.gov.au/biosecuritybasics

28/08/2026

Planned Burn 🔥
Basin Hills, Meehan Range
Meehan Range Nature Recreation Area
Monday 31 August 2026
Approximately 85 hectares
2-3 days to complete

Weather permitting, we will be conducting a planned burn at Basin Hills, Meehan Range, in the Meehan Range Nature Recreation Area on Monday 31 August. During burning operations public access to the area will be restricted.

Please follow directions from staff and signage in the area.
This burn is part of the state-wide Fuel Reduction Program.

More information on planned burns: https://parks.tas.gov.au/about-us/fire-management/planned-burns

Know before you go and keep up to date with current alerts and closures: www.parks.tas.gov.au/alerts

28/08/2026

Planned Burn 🔥
King William and Irenabyss Track
Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park
Monday 31 August 2026
Approximately 502 hectares
1-3 days to complete

Weather permitting, we will be conducting a planned burn at King William and Irenabyss Track in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park on Monday 31 August.

During burning operations public access to these areas will be restricted.

Please comply with directions from staff and signage in the area.

This burn is part of the state-wide Fuel Reduction Program.

More information on planned burns: https://parks.tas.gov.au/about-us/fire-management/planned-burns

Know before you go and keep up to date with current alerts and closures: www.parks.tas.gov.au/alerts

28/08/2026

Tasmania’s weather can switch quickly, especially in winter ❄️

If conditions change, be ready to change your plans too.

Before you head out:
✅ Plan your walk and choose one that suits your experience
✅ Pack for winter conditions, not just the distance, including warm, waterproof clothing, enough food and water, a torch, and reliable navigation.
✅ Check the weather and track conditions
✅ Be ready to change your plans or turn back if needed

A safe trip begins with great preparation.

Watch our safety video to help you get ready for your next winter walk:

Hypothermia - Walker safety Weather conditions in Tasmania can ch...

28/08/2026

🦅H5 bird flu update

There have been an additional eight detections of H5 bird flu in Tasmania, including in a forest raven, bringing the total positive detections to 33.

The new detections include a crested tern at Naracoopa on King Island, a forest raven at Loorana on King Island, a silver gull at Currie on King Island, two silver gulls at Stanley, two crested terns at Stanley, and crested tern at Wynyard.

There have been no detections in Tasmanian poultry, and chicken meat and eggs remain safe to eat.

Remember to keep pets such as dogs and cats away from sick or dead wildlife.

Keep cats contained. When walking dogs, keep dogs on a lead and observe no dog zones.

Reporting by members of the community helps inform our surveillance and response.

If you see sick or dead birds or other wildlife:

✅Avoid contact
✅Record what you see and where you saw it
✅Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888

Check current advice at www.nre.tas.gov.au/birdflu

26/08/2026

🦅H5 bird flu update

Six positive detections of H5 bird flu, including two positive detections in the north and north east, have been confirmed overnight, bringing the total number recorded in Tasmania to 25.

The new detections include a crested tern at Lulworth, a crested tern at Scottsdale, two crested terns in Burnie, one crested tern at Sea Elephant River on King Island, and a little penguin at Grassy on King Island.

There have been no detections in Tasmanian poultry, and chicken meat and eggs remain safe to eat. NRE Tas continues surveillance and response activities across the state.

Reporting by members of the community helps inform our surveillance and response.

Reporting and testing helps show where the virus is and whether cases are linked within Tasmania or are from interstate sources.

Keep pets such as dogs and cats away from sick or dead wildlife. Keep cats contained. When walking dogs, keep dogs on a lead and observe no dog zones.

If you see sick or dead birds or other wildlife:

✅AVOID contact.
✅RECORD the location and, if safe, take photos.
✅REPORT it immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

✅Check current advice on these webpages or view our previous updates.