HealthFears grow for local celebrity Sammy the elephant seal in Victorian bird flu hotspot

Portland, Victoria, has become a hotspot for H5N1 bird flu, with many birds dead or suffering. Residents fear Sammy, a popular southern elephant seal that frequents the town and has been seen near birds presumed to have died from the virus, could become infected. More than 100 marine mammals have been reported in Victoria, but none has yet tested positive.

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TThe Guardian★★☆☆☆2026-08-26 03:31Original