Victoria to hold pigeon race despite H5N1 suspicions
A pigeon racing club from Warrnambool in the Australian state of Victoria plans to hold an anniversary competition on Sunday despite the mass deaths of birds in the southwest of the state. The deaths are linked to a suspected deadly H5N1 strain of avian influenza. For the race, 150 pigeons will be released in Lascelles, in the Wimmera region, 320 kilometres from Warrnambool.
As ABC News Australia reports, the competition is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the Warrnambool Racing Pigeon Club. The event is also intended to raise funds for prostate cancer testing equipment at Warrnambool Base Hospital.
Exemption from restrictions
Victoria’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) said pigeon races are exempt from poultry housing restrictions introduced for the poultry industry. In an email seen by ABC, the department’s chief veterinary officer said such competitions are allowed even in coastal areas where strict restrictions are in force.
After H5N1 emerged in Victoria, DEECA required owners of more than 50 birds in the southern half of the state to keep them isolated. The club said participants keep pigeons in lofts when they are not training or racing.
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Concerns of wildlife advocates
The Victorian Wildlife Alliance believes the competition could create a risk of spreading the disease to northern Victoria. Its representative, David Mould, stressed that a lower risk of pigeons becoming infected with avian influenza does not mean there is no risk.
According to Mould, during every race some birds do not return to their owners, which could potentially contribute to the spread of infection. He also noted that pigeons in lofts can come into contact with wild birds, their droppings or rodents.
Club vice-president Kevin Ashworth does not believe the race poses a risk of spreading the disease. He said pigeons are unlikely to come into contact with wild birds during flight, although he acknowledged that not all of them may return home.
