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‘Devastating’: Western Australia fears a black swan moment as bird flu threatens flagship species

The Guardian Environment Saturday 22 August 2026, 20:00 UTC By Narelle Towie 1 min read
Key Points

The state’s bird emblem is an indicator species for H5N1, with high visibility populations and low survival rates. Experts are warning of ‘significant mortality’Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastWhen the black swans start dying, Western Australians will know that bird flu has truly arrived. The birds are an “indicator species” because once they are infected with the H5N1 virus they are more likely to die than survive, according to the University of Queensland...

The state’s bird emblem is an indicator species for H5N1, with high visibility populations and low survival rates. Experts are warning of ‘significant mortality’

When the black swans start dying, Western Australians will know that bird flu has truly arrived.

The birds are an “indicator species” because once they are infected with the H5N1 virus they are more likely to die than survive, according to the University of Queensland virologist Kirsty Short.

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Western Australia (LOCATION) Western Australians (ORG) the University of Queensland (ORG) Kirsty Short (PERSON)
Originally published by The Guardian Environment Read original →

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