New Zealand Vaccinates Endangered Birds to Shield Them From Bird Flu

New Zealand confirmed two live birds infected with the H5N1 bird flu, prompting a rapid vaccination program for about 300 breeding pairs of five critically endangered native species (notably kakāpō and takahē) to reduce extinction risk. Kiwi is excluded from the first phase due to population size. Authorities are also enforcing biosecurity measures at colonies and testing wildlife as the virus spreads, with mass culling as a potential option if an outbreak escalates. The outcome for native species remains uncertain as experts monitor the situation.