Fears for injured wildlife as bird flu spreads

National figures show there have now been 236 confirmed H5 bird flu events in wild birds, with most in South Australia.

Authorities have received more than 21,000 calls to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline since the outbreak began.

Tasmania's tally has jumped to 10 after four more wild birds on King Island tested positive, with two crested terns and two silver gulls found dead on beaches and bays around Currie.

Authorities say the focus remains on early detection and surveillance, with crews inspecting about 760 kilometres of the state's north-west coastline and no mass die-offs reported.

In Western Australia, wildlife experts warn the virus is already creating an animal-welfare crunch as some private veterinary clinics stop accepting birds and, in some cases, other wildlife altogether.

WA Wildlife chief veterinary officer Meg Rodgers said the shift was already having real‑world consequences for injured animals.

"It's already becoming an animal welfare issue in some areas," Dr Rodgers said.

She said the change risked leaving animals hurt in car strikes, dog attacks and fishing line entanglements without critical treatment or humane euthanasia.

"Wildlife rehabilitators will no doubt continue to do the heavy lifting, particularly because many veterinary clinics have stopped accepting wildlife," she said.

"Bird flu has the potential to become a significant animal welfare issue.

"We need to make sure the systems are in place so wildlife can continue to receive appropriate veterinary treatment, rehabilitation and, where necessary, humane euthanasia."

Dr Rodgers noted private vets should be recognised for historically providing critical services for injured wildlife, often at their own cost.

"As bird flu changes the way wildlife can be safely admitted and managed, we need to make sure there are appropriate alternatives available when clinics are no longer able to provide that care," she said.

Continued government support of the wildlife rehabilitation sector would be needed as the long-term impacts of bird flu became clear, Dr Rodgers added.

Meanwhile, hundreds of young pelicans have been found dead at Lake Cawndilla in outback NSW.

However, samples have ruled out bird flu as the cause of death.

Further testing is under way but authorities say it may take weeks to determine what happened to the 400 pelicans.