20 Feb 2024

Deadly bird flu threatens NZ wildlife

From Morning Report, 8:49 am on 20 February 2024

A deadly bird flu is winging its way closer to Aotearoa and it could be disastrous for native wildlife.

The H5N1 strain has been spreading rapidly around the world since late 2021.

Recent confirmed cases in birds and seals show it has spread to sub-Antarctic islands on the other side of the world, still far away but approaching New Zealand's neighbourhood in wildlife terms.

And as Ashleigh McCaull reports, one expert believes it's not a matter of 'if' it gets to New Zealand, but 'when'.