Australia's sea lions threatened by bird flu outbreak

Australia's already vulnerable sea lion population of approximately 12,000 faces a potential crisis as H5 bird flu has been detected in a long-nosed fur seal in South Australia, marking the first confirmed mammal case in the country. Scientists warn the virus could cause "carnage" among local marine mammals, particularly young animals, given the catastrophic losses it has already caused to seal and sea lion populations in South America and sub-Antarctica.