Bird flu and what it means for your Zoo

In June 2026, the first case of H5 avian influenza, or H5 bird flu, was detected on the south coast of Western Australia.

Here at Perth Zoo, the health and wellbeing of our animals and people is always our top priority.

Australia is one of the last countries in the world to get avian influenza, so we’ve been actively preparing for it and have strong biosecurity measures in place to help protect the animals in our care.

You may notice some small changes during your Zoo visit as part of these precautions such as additional barriers, extra signage and hand sanitiser points, or adjustments to certain habitats.

These measures are designed to reduce contact between Zoo animals and wild birds, which helps keep vulnerable species safe.

The risk to human health is very minimal, but we may close certain habitats or introduce extra hygiene practices in an abundance of precaution.

Importantly, you can feel confident that visiting Perth Zoo is safe.

Our teams have introduced a range of enhancements across the Zoo, including improvements to animal habitats and behind-the-scenes facilities. These upgrades support the ongoing care of endangered species such as Numbats, Western Ground Parrots and black cockatoos.

We also continue to care for injured and unwell wildlife, including black cockatoos, and are exploring ways to support this important work while further safeguarding our resident animals.