The Mandurah Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre has temporarily stopped accepting seabirds as Western Australia braces for the potential spread of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu. The volunteer-run facility announced the decision on 1 July 2026, citing concerns about the highly contagious nature of the virus and the need to protect wildlife already in its care.
Centre Prioritises Safety of Animals and Volunteers
The rehabilitation centre, which operates without government funding and relies entirely on volunteers, provides care for approximately 1,000 native animals each year. While it will continue to accept other bird species, mammals, and reptiles (excluding snakes), seabird admissions have been suspended until the current threat subsides.
Board member Jane Danzi explained that the decision was not made lightly but was necessary for risk mitigation. “We figured that this was a risk mitigation that we could take,” Ms Danzi said. “We’re not closing our doors to all birds at the moment because it’s not in the Mandurah region yet, but we have stopped seabirds because we tend to bring them in and pass them on to other organisations for specialist care, like WA Seabird Rescue.”
Updated Protocols and Biosecurity Measures
In response to the bird flu threat, the centre has implemented updated hygiene and personal protective equipment protocols. “This will ensure that if an animal, by some chance, has come into contact with bird flu, we’ve done everything we possibly can to isolate them,” Ms Danzi said.
The centre is also planning biosecurity upgrades to prepare for the possibility of the virus reaching the Peel region. “We’re hoping to put some infrastructure in place; we have some animals on site that are going to need protection once it reaches the Peel region,” Ms Danzi added.
Appeal for Community Assistance
The centre is seeking help from local roof contractors to construct covers over three aviaries to safeguard wildlife from potential exposure. Additionally, financial donations are being requested to cover the cost of materials, signage, and other essential items needed for preparedness.
“It’s a bit of an evolving situation, so we’re putting these procedures in place for now and just taking it day by day to see what the government tells us to do,” Ms Danzi said. “At the moment, we’re just listening to their updates, urging the public to follow their procedures as well, and just managing the best we can with what we’ve got.”
Ms Danzi emphasised that the additional expenses fall outside the organisation’s regular operating budget but are vital for ensuring the safety of volunteers and animals. All donations are tax deductible and can be made via giving.mandurahwildlife.com.au.
Public Guidance on Reporting Sick Birds
Members of the public who encounter sick or injured birds are advised to take a photo, note the location, and contact the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline at 1800 675 888 to report it.
