DON’T TOUCH. DON’T MOVE. REPORT IT

If you see a sick or dead bird, please don’t touch or move it. Report it to Agriculture Victoria. https://mornpen.link/Nj

H5 bird flu (H5N1 avian influenza) has now been confirmed on the Mornington Peninsula, and early reporting of sick or dead wild birds and wildlife is important.

🚫 Do not pick up, handle or move sick or dead birds. Moving potentially infected wildlife could spread disease and put people and other animals at risk.

📍 In Victoria, please report:
• Clusters of five or more sick or dead wild birds of any species
• Even one sick or dead seabird, waterbird, shorebird or bird of prey
• Even one sick or dead marine mammal, such as a seal or dolphin

Look out for signs including birds that are unable to stand, walk or fly properly, appear unusually weak or uncoordinated, have breathing difficulties, or are found dead.

Help protect our wildlife, domestic animals and community by keeping your distance and reporting, rather than handling or moving the animal.

#BirdFlu #H5N1 #Biosecurity #WildlifeProtection

“They just want to say hello” 😍
Do they?

We’re so keen to read that swishing tail as friendliness.
A little bounce towards, but then maybe a back off. Playing?
Quick, fast wee feet. Full of excitement?

We have a habit of focusing on what we really want to see, and then we may use a movement or one part of a dog’s body to confirm we were right.

The reality is, it’s tough to read sometimes.

Truly it is.

Those fast wee feet can happen because your dog is very unsure.
That wee bounce?
Same thing.

If you’re not sure, the majority “rules”.

Take a minute to look at everything.

Not just a moving body part, but the body as a whole.

The environment.
The context.
The interaction in its entirety.

And a dog backing away, scooching backwards?
Going behind your legs?
Hiding under that chair?

They’re not ready for their new “friend”.

If you have to force it?
It’s not what we want it to be, at all.