In a development that's both concerning and darkly amusing, a dolphin has died from H5 bird flu in South Australia, making it the second native mammal species to catch the virus. Because apparently, even dolphins couldn't resist the avian influenza party.

The common dolphin was found dead near Goolwa on the Fleurieu Peninsula, and state tests confirmed it was positive for H5N1, with samples sent to the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness for further analysis. This follows earlier detections in long-nosed fur seals at Beachport and the Pages Islands, and a red fox near Port Adelaide. The federal government's risk assessment rates common dolphins at high risk, meaning they could face severe population declines if the virus takes hold.

Meanwhile, the federal government has decided to pull 24 expeditioners from the sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island research station, citing the 'psychosocial risk' of witnessing potential mass seal deaths from H5N1 during the upcoming breeding season. Because nothing says 'mental health first' like abandoning a research station to avoid seeing dead seals.

While bird flu hasn't hit the island yet, it's home to large elephant seal populations near the station buildings, and experts predict 'a high likelihood of a significant mortality event.' The department's deputy secretary, Sean Sullivan, explained: 'This is an unusual measure, but is the most appropriate course of action... While the risk to humans is low, we can't ignore the psychosocial risks of living near potentially large numbers of affected animals.'

Sullivan cited experience at Heard Island, where drone surveys found over 13,000 dead southern elephant seal pups in 2025 and 2026. He noted Macquarie Island is unique because thousands of seal pups are born near the station every spring, and no other Australian Antarctic station has that 'privilege.' The government is exploring monitoring options and hopes to return expeditioners in coming seasons.

In other bird flu news, South Australia will now confirm H5 cases locally, bypassing the CSIRO's centre in Geelong, and New South Wales plans to vaccinate wild little penguins at Manly and Barunguba Montague Island. Captive bird populations, including little penguins, Carnaby's black cockatoos, and red-tailed black cockatoos, have already received first vaccinations at Taronga zoo. Because if you're going to fight a virus, you might as well do it with a parade of adorable birds.