While bird flu vaccinations are being rolled out among little penguin populations over east, there are no concrete plans in place to protect Rockingham’s iconic yet declining colony.

But a Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions spokesperson confirmed the State Government was working with the Federal Government and other States on the potential use of vaccines to protect vulnerable bird species.

Vaccinations last week began on a Victorian colony of 1000 little penguins on Phillip Island.

A DBCA spokesperson confirmed the Penguin Island colony off Rockingham was sitting at “about 100 birds”.

The penguin population has declined about 94 per cent since 2007 and at last count there was an estimated 120 birds living on the island.

Penguin Island is currently closed to the public for the annual breeding season.

There are concerns among local advocates that if H5 bird flu arrived by wing to Penguin Island, it could wipe out the remaining population.

These concerns are echoed by the DBCA.

“H5 bird flu presents a significant threat to little penguins, as well as other resident birds and marine mammals that reside on and around the island, including Australian sea lions,” the spokesperson said.

“DBCA has undertaken H5 bird flu detailed planning for Penguin Island, Shoalwater Islands Marine Park and vulnerable species such as little penguins.

“This planning includes detailed risk assessments and operational plans that will inform DBCA’s response should H5 bird flu be detected in the area.”

Despite this, the department was not able to provide firm details on when a vaccine program would begin in WA.

“All options for vaccination trials are being considered, including trials involving little penguins in WA,” the spokesperson said.

“Vaccination is a complementary tool that may help reduce severe disease and mortality in selected captive or managed native bird populations.

“Work is under way to assess the safety, efficacy and feasibility of vaccinating little penguin populations in WA, including the managed population at Penguin Island, as a high priority for WA’s preparedness strategy for H5 bird flu.”

As of publishing, there has been no bird flu detected on the island or in the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park.

“All detections of H5 bird flu in WA to date have been limited to individual migratory seabirds with no evidence H5 bird flu is present in resident wildlife populations, nor any evidence of local transmission,” they said.

“Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions officers are visiting Shoalwater Islands Marine Park multiple times a week to monitor wildlife for any signs of H5 bird flu.

“Staff are following current H5 bird flu procedures including reporting deceased or sick seabirds, shorebirds and marine mammals to the emergency animal disease hotline.”

Researchers and the WA Seabird Conservation Network are monitoring the island.

“Due to the high numbers of a variety of birds residing on these islands, non-bird flu related mortality is a common observation which fluctuates significantly seasonally, and with various weather events,” the DBCA spokesperson said.

Anyone who sees sick or dead birds or marine mammals is asked to avoid and not handle the animals, record and take photos or a video, and report to the emergency animal disease hotline on 1800 675 888.

More information about the State Government’s H5 bird flu response is available at wa.gov.au/birdflu.