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title: "Vaccinating Shy Albatrosses against Highly Pathogenetic Avian Influenza"
---

# Vaccinating Shy Albatrosses against Highly Pathogenetic Avian Influenza

*![Shy albatross H5 bird flu vaccine pilot Albatross Island 4](https://www.acap.aq/images/Shy_albatross_H5_bird_flu_vaccine_pilot_Albatross_Island_October_2026_image_three._Picture_courtesy_NRE_Tas.jpg)Hazmatted up!  A Shy Albatross receives the H5 bird flu vaccine on Albatross Island, October 2026, photograph from the Tasmanian Department of Natural Resources and Environment*

 The Tasmanian Department of Natural Resources and Environment ([NRE Tas](https://nre.tas.gov.au/)) has begun a vaccination programme against Highly Pathogenetic Avian Influenza (HPAI bird flu) for the [globally Near Threatened](https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/shy-albatross-thalassarche-cauta) Shy Albatross *Thalassarche cauta*.  The ACAP-listed albatross is an Australian endemic, only breeding on three small offshore islands around Tasmania.  The first doses of the vaccine were administered in the last few days on 18-ha [Albatross Island](https://acap.aq/news/news-archive/2013-news-archive/acap-breeding-sites-no-18-albatross-island-bass-strait-home-of-australia-s-endemic-shy-albatross), a Tasmanian State Nature Reserve in the Bass Strait.

 *![Albatross Island Rachael Alderman 5](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Albatrosses/S/Shy/Albatross_Island_Rachael_Alderman_5.jpg)Shy Albatrosses converse on Albatross Island, photograph by Rachael Alderman*

 The NRE Tas [writes](https://nre.tas.gov.au/about-the-department/news/building-wildlife-resilience-against-bird-flu?):

 “The species is considered highly vulnerable to H5 bird flu under state and national risk assessments.  While there have been no signs of the disease in breeding colonies to date, the vaccination program will assess how the birds respond to the vaccine and whether it could play a role in protecting the species from the impacts of bird flu.

 “The shy albatross provides a unique opportunity to assess the benefits and potential impacts of vaccination in a wild bird species.  The birds can be safely approached while nesting, which means seabird biologists can deliver the two vaccine doses needed and monitor individual birds, something that is not possible for many species.

 “Up to 100 birds on Albatross Island, a small and exposed island in western Bass Strait, will be vaccinated as part of the program.  This is an ambitious target and will depend on weather, access conditions and the ability to safely administer two vaccine doses while minimising disturbance to breeding birds.

 “The proposal underwent a rigorous assessment process, including approval from the state Animal Ethics Committee.  Vaccinations are being carried out by wildlife veterinarians and biologists under strict permit conditions and biosecurity protocols.

 Department seabird biologists will closely monitor vaccinated birds using remote cameras and follow-up visits to better understand how the birds respond to the vaccine.

 “The program is part of Tasmania's broader preparedness efforts for H5 bird flu. Species-specific guidance has also been developed to support planning and response actions. Read about these on our [Bird Flu and Wildlife page](https://nre.tas.gov.au/wildlife-site/Pages/Bird-flu-and-wildlife.aspx).”

 HPAI has already reached the Australian mainland, with giant petrels*Macronectes* sp. being among the birds affected, with the [first records](https://www.acap.aq/latest-news/beached-giant-petrels-confirm-highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-has-reached-the-australian-mainland?highlight=WyJmbHUiLCJhdXN0cmFsaWEiLCJhdXN0cmFsaWEncyIsImF1c3RyYWxpYXMiXQ==) from June this year, with at least [17 reported by August](https://acap.aq/latest-news/an-update-from-offlu-on-high-pathogenicity-avian-influenza-in-australia-and-new-zealand).  By 08 October [49 HPAI cases](https://www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu/latest-data)have been reported from Tasmania.

 Information from Sheryl Hamilton, Wildlife Biologist, Marine Conservation Program (Wildlife Health and Marine), Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Tasmania.

 **Reference:**

 [Marine Conservation Program] August 2026.  *[Shy Albatross, H5 Bird Flu Species Plan – Preparedness, Evidence and Management Options Review](https://nre.tas.gov.au/Documents/Shy%20albatross%20H5%20bird%20flu%20species%20review.pdf)*.  [Hobart]: Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania.  13 pp.

 *John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 09 October 2026*