Bay of Plenty conservation groups and a poultry supplier are tightening biosecurity measures to safeguard animals after New Zealand’s first confirmed detections of a deadly bird flu strain.

A Rotorua-based bird conservation organisation has stopped accepting wild birds and is “ramping up” precautions to reduce the risk of the virus spreading.

Meanwhile, a Bay of Plenty chicken supplier has warned that movement restrictions and flock culls pose a “real threat to viability” for the wider poultry industry.

New Zealand has two confirmed cases of the H5 bird flu strain according to the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI).

Cases were identified in a brown skua found on Wellington’s Petone Beach and a kāhu (swamp harrier) near Carterton.

There was currently no evidence of mass deaths among wildlife and no cases have been detected in poultry.

Native bird protection ‘ramping up’

Wingspan Birds of Prey Centre Rotorua general manager Ineke Milner said this was “uncharted territory” for the organisation, and an “evolving situation”.

The organisation has liaised with overseas raptor centres and local organisations, and is following directives from MPI and the Department of Conservation (DoC) on what steps to take.

Milner said Wingspan naturally had concerns but was comforted by the fact they could learn from the responses overseas.

“At this stage we’ve made the tough decision to stop admitting wild birds for rehabilitation to safeguard our resident birds, and we’re ramping up our biosecurity.”

She said the “biggest risk” for Wingspan was its resident birds, and they were therefore taking “strong” biosecurity measures with upgrades to aviaries to deter wild birds.

“Any birds showing signs or symptoms consistent with bird flu will immediately be isolated and MPI will be notified.”

She said the organisation may also have to restrict visitor access or put its release programme on hold.

Wingspan general manager Ineke Milner (left), trustee Noel Hyde, admin manager Shannon Campion, founder Debbie Stewart, and Timberlands general manager of sustainability, Colin Maunder. Photo / Timberlands

“What we do know is that the welfare of our raptors is our top priority.

“We will do our best to mitigate the impact and advocate for them, raise awareness, and work towards safeguarding their future.”

DoC said the H5N1 strain of bird flu posed a significant risk to native wildlife as it spread more easily among wild birds than previous strains.

It warned that if bird flu became established in New Zealand’s wild bird population, it was unlikely to be eradicated.

Instead, efforts would focus on slowing its spread through biosecurity measures and supporting vulnerable species through conservation programmes.

The National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua has been preparing for the possible arrival of bird flu for more than two years and is continuing to follow strict biosecurity protocols.

Acting manager Carole Dean said the hatchery had been closely monitoring the spread of bird flu internationally.

“Strong biosecurity emergency measures are in place to help protect the birds in our care and support the safety of our team and manuhiri if the infection spreads.”

She said whilst the recent cases were a significant development, the hatchery was continuing to follow MPI guidance.

Carole Dean looking after kiwi eggs at the National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua in 2023. Photo / Alex Cairns

“We will adapt our approach as the situation evolves.

“We have incorporated information about avian influenza into our Behind the Scenes tour, with the aim of helping our manuhiri understand the signs to look out for.”

Poultry sector on alert

The Ministry of Primary Industries has stressed that chicken and eggs remain safe to eat.

Te Puke-based supplier Baywide Chickens provides point-of-lay pullets - young hens ready to begin laying eggs - throughout the Bay of Plenty, Waikato, East Coast and Hawke’s Bay.

Its customers range from urban and lifestyle-block flock owners through to commercial free-range poultry farms.

Owner Alan Clouston said the arrival of bird flu in New Zealand was a “real concern”, particularly for the company’s clients.

“As a supplier to the industry, the direct impact on our own business is limited, but for the farms and flock owners we supply, the stakes are much higher.”

He said Baywide Chickens had “extremely high” biosecurity in its rearing operations so the biggest impact would be movement operations.

“If restricted areas were put in place, moving birds into or through those regions would be the single biggest challenge to our business.”

Baywide Chickens has “extremely high” biosecurity in its rearing operations. Photo / 123rf

Clouston said the bigger the operation, the greater the loss, and for commercial operations those losses could quickly become an economic issue.

“One infected bird in a shed of 5000 means the entire shed must be culled. There’s no choice. Sick birds don’t eat and birds that don’t eat don’t lay.”

He said a farm that lost its stock would also be at risk of losing its established egg customers who would be forced to move to another supplier.

“That’s a real threat to viability, and turning a shed around isn’t cheap, with a stand-down of four to six months before it can be repopulated.”

MPI is working closely with industry groups, veterinarians, wildlife carers and other government agencies as monitoring and testing efforts increase.

It is urging the public to avoid handling sick or dead birds, keep pets away from affected wildlife and report groups of three or more sick or dead wild birds through its exotic pest and disease hotline.

Preventing the spread

Source: MPI

Kaitlyn Morrell is a journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.