• By Jarrod Whittaker
• ABC Gippsland
• Topic:Avian Influenza
• Authorities confirm fox death from bird flu in Victoria, suspected case in dolphin – ABC News

Posted Thu at 10:56pmThursday at 10:56pm

In short:

Victorian authorities have confirmed the death of a fox from H5 bird flu at Torquay, south-west of Melbourne.

The virus is also suspected to have killed a dolphin at Lorne.

What’s next?

Victorian authorities plan to prioritise threatened species in captivity for vaccination.

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H5 bird flu has been detected in a fox in Victoria’s south-west, in the state’s first recorded case in mammals, authorities say.

Authorities also suspect a dolphin found dead at Lorne died of the virus.

Acting chief veterinary officer Cameron Gunn said the infected fox was found dead on Victoria’s Surf Coast.

“We have now confirmed H5 bird flu in a red fox recently found at Torquay collected through our ongoing surveillance and monitoring effort,” Dr Gunn said.

But authorities are not concerned about foxes spreading the disease.

“Wild foxes and other scavenging pests have not generally been shown to spread the actual virus when they become infected,” Dr Gunn said.

The greater risk was of foxes moving infected carcasses around, he said.

Victoria has recorded 212 positive cases in birds from a total of 892 investigations conducted since June 20.

Victorian authorities have detected H5 bird flu in numerous species, including greater crested terns, magpies and little penguins.

A little penguin on Phillip Island died from the virus last month and the state is in the process of vaccinating the colony.

Breeding season risk

The discovery of the dead dolphin at Lorne comes a week after the death of a dolphin on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula from H5 bird flu.

Victorian chief biodiversity officer James Todd said detections in seals and dolphins were not unexpected, and the virus was expected to spread to new species and other parts of Victoria.

“Particularly as we head into the spring breeding season, where large numbers of birds typically flock and aggregate around, for example, coastal estuaries and inland waterways and wetlands,” Dr Todd said.

As a result, the government was focusing its surveillance on areas deemed high-risk, including the Mornington Peninsula, Port Phillip Bay, Western Port Bay and the Gippsland Lakes.

Vaccinations results

A dead bird found on Sydney’s northern beaches last week has been confirmed as the city’s first case of H5 bird flu, bringing NSW’s total to 20.

Wildlife advocacy group Birdlife Australia said it was concerned about the virus’s effect on endangered species.

Birdlife Australia senior public relations adviser Sean Dooley said the virus could spread “quite rapidly” and he was most concerned about it spreading to breeding colonies of endangered species.

NSW announced a vaccination program in August, and the Victorian government has vaccinated about 1,000 little penguins.

Dr Todd said the vaccinated penguins on Phillip Island and at St Kilda Pier had shown an immune response and no adverse impacts.

“Of course, we know that vaccination is not a silver bullet,” he said.

“It is a tool that can be used in targeted situations, mostly for captive populations and highly managed and well-studied wild populations like little penguins at Phillip Island and St Kilda.”

Threatened species held by Zoos Victoria and other wildlife centres would be prioritised for vaccination, he said.

But he warned Australia was still at the beginning of the spread of the virus and people should expect that wildlife would continue to suffer and die.

“Overseas experience shows that wildlife or impacted wildlife populations can recover from H5 [bird flu] and they can adapt and in some cases they can also build natural immunity,” Dr Todd said.

“But it’s also observed from overseas that the virus can continue to impact on populations even at a time when they might be starting to recover.”

• Published: Sep. 05, 2026, 10:56 a.m.

By 

• Ann Marie Barron | ABarron@siadvance.com
• Report: Net placed under a Bayonne bridge is trapping birds – silive.com

Officials in a New Jersey city set up a net to keep pigeons away from a bridge in an effort to address a nuisance for residents, but the solution is keeping some trapped inside, NBC News 4 New York is reporting.

The net under the bridge at Broadway and West Eighth Street in Bayonne has only been up for a few days, but it has already started to ruffle some feathers for residents, the report said.

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The net was supposed to help cut down the amount of bird droppings under bridges, which they describe as an ongoing public health concern, they told News 4. Residents agree there is a problem to solve.

Eileen Murphy, who frequently passes through the area, told the outlet that she has to cover her nose and mouth whenever she goes by. She says it’s because she has COPD and worries about what she’s breathing in.

“They just put (the nets) up, so we’ll see. But I’m still concerned about it,” said Murphy.

“It’s definitely a lot better. It’s disgusting, we’d have to walk in the street, it was terrible,” said resident Fred Gattuso.

But some questioned the city’s solution.

“It’s horrible what’s happening to these pigeons that are trapped up in there,” Gattuso said. “They could’ve done this a little better to be honest.”

“I mean, I understand what they’re doing or trying to do, but they should incorporate a way so the pigeons have a place to be,” another resident, David Finney, told News 4.

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“Since learning about the issue, the administration has been working to determine how the matter could be addressed as quickly and safely as possible,” a city official responded to News 4. “The city’s department of public works and the vendor have been actively engaged to remove the birds as expeditiously as possible. 48-hour checks transitioned to daily checks, with multiple releases being made.”

As of Friday, the city estimates there are only about five remaining birds stuck inside the netting and the plan is to trap and release them shortly, the city spokesperson said.

Officials are urging the public not to feed any of the trapped birds.

Provided by PR Newswire  Sep 4, 2026, 12:13:00 PM

HUNTER NATION CELEBRATES HISTORIC TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDER PUTTING IN MOTION THE DELISTING OF THE GRAY WOLF FROM THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT | Morningstar

HUNTER NATION CELEBRATES HISTORIC TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDER PUTTING IN MOTION THE DELISTING OF THE GRAY WOLF FROM THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

HUNTER NATION CELEBRATES HISTORIC TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDER PUTTING IN MOTION THE DELISTING OF THE GRAY WOLF FROM THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT

PR Newswire

MISSION, Kan., Sept. 4, 2026

• Monumental Victory for Hunters, Ranchers, Farmers and Rural America 
• Restores Science-Based Wildlife Management to States, Protects Livestock, Big Game Herds, and Rural Communities Nationwide

MISSION, Kan., Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Hunter Nation, Inc., the nation’s leading grassroots advocacy organization dedicated to preserving America’s hunting heritage, celebrated President Donald J. Trump’s landmark Executive Order taking the first step towards delisting the Gray and Mexican wolf from the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

The Executive Order recognizes the biological reality that gray wolf populations have far exceeded all federal recovery thresholds. It directs the Department of the Interior to determine whether gray wolves or Mexican wolves meet the criteria for delisting or downlisting under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and begin the process of delisting or downlisting. 

The order also directs the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture to update their standards for compensating ranchers for losses due to predators and ease authorization for lethal removal when necessary.

In regions across the Great Lakes and the American West, gray wolf populations have surged well past initial targets—exceeding historical recovery goals by more than tenfold in key areas—while devastating elk and deer herds, slaughtering livestock, and threatening family pets and rural livelihoods. Today’s action puts in motion an end to decades of federal overreach and aligns federal policy with sound biological data.

Keith Mark, Founder and CEO of Hunter Nation, issued the following statement:
“President Donald J. Trump has, once again, proven that he stands shoulder-to-shoulder with America’s hunters, ranchers, farmers, and rural communities. The recovery of the Gray and Mexican wolf is one of the greatest conservation success stories in American history, and today’s Executive Order is the first step to restore common sense, respect for real science, and return wildlife management back where it belongs—to each state and the people who live closest to the land. This is the biggest policy win for hunters in decades. President Trump had the courage to cut through the red tape, uphold the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, and deliver a historic victory for sportsmen and rural America. On behalf of Hunter Nation and hunters all across America, thank you, President Trump, for your bold, unwavering leadership.”

Ted Nugent, Hunter Nation Board Member, National Spokesperson, and Lifelong Conservationist, added:
“As the modern world returns to their honest relationship with nature, President Donald Trump has heard the conservation battle cry thanks to Keith Mark and our Hunter Nation families and took the first step to put the magnificent Gray Wolf back in the asset column where it belongs. All rejoice and celebrate that the recovery of the Gray Wolf is on the path to be managed respectfully based on the true nature lovers that actually live with and respect the mighty beast! Thank you President Trump!”

This has been the number one policy priority for Hunter Nation since its founding.

What the Executive Order Does:

Combat Predation – Wolf Predation
American farmers and ranchers deserve the protection this Executive Order will provide: 

• The Executive Order directs the Department of the Interior to determine whether gray wolves or Mexican wolves meet the criteria for delisting or downlisting under the Endangered Species Act (ESA),and begin the process of delisting or downlisting. 
• The Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture are also directed to update their standards for compensating ranchers for losses due to predators, and to ease authorization for lethal removal when necessary. 

Hunter Nation encourages all sportsmen, ranchers, and rural Americans to join Hunter Nation to protect this victory as legal and regulatory battles move forward.

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SOURCE Hunter Nation