First H5 bird flu death of endangered Australian sea lion recorded amid fears for small population

South Australian authorities say case discovered on Kangaroo Island is first for species of which less than 12,000 animals remain

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South Australia has recorded the first death of an endangered Australian sea lion from H5 bird flu.

Experts say about 12,000 Australian sea lions remain – though a more recent estimate put the figure at less than 10,000. Most of the population are found in South Australia, with the remainder in Western Australia.