Authorities suspend seal bay tours as bird flu spreads

The South Australian government announced on Wednesday that public tours of Seal Bay will be temporarily halted to protect sea lions and other seal species from the advancing bird‑flu threat. The decision follows the discovery of H5‑positive birds in the vicinity of the seal colony and the detection of the virus in a nearby seal. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said the suspension is a precautionary measure while experts work to contain the outbreak. She added that, to date, no evidence of the virus has been found in poultry or livestock, and the risk to human health remains low.