South Australia is investigating three suspected cases of bird flu in giant petrels, with authorities warning a positive result on Kangaroo Island could have serious consequences for the island’s endangered sea lion colony.

Two sick petrels were found at Emu Bay on Kangaroo Island and at Port Vincent on the Yorke Peninsula. Both returned suspected detections at PIRSA’s Glenside facility on Monday, and samples have now been sent to the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Geelong for confirmation.

They follow a now-positive case announced on Tuesday in a petrel found at Hardwicke Bay, making it the eighth confirmed case in Australia.

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Authorities say the Kangaroo Island detection is the most concerning, with experts warning the island’s sea lion colony could be decimated if the virus reaches the species.

Marine mammal populations have already been adversely affected by the disease, which in late 2025 wiped out 80 per cent of the southern elephant seal pup population on Heard Island about 2000km from Australia’s mainland.

Eighth bird flu case detected as national infection count grows. Credit: 7NEWS

SA Chief Veterinarian Dr Skye Fruean said area closures near seal and sea lion populations were “not a consideration at this point in time” and would “only be considered if they were necessary”.

“We’re obviously concerned about potential impacts of bird flu on sea lions in particular as an endangered species but there’s no immediate increase in threat just because we’ve got this suspect case at Emu Bay,” she said.

“That threat is all around our coastline through these migratory birds and something we’ll be continuing to look for.”

Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven said the suspected detections appeared to be “isolated incidents”, with surveillance across almost 5000km of coastline showing no evidence of widespread impacts.

“If you do see any dead or sick birds or wildlife showing signs of bird flu, do not touch them,” she said.

“Please call the EAD hotline and report it to us.”

Fruean said the Hardwicke Bay bird appeared to have contained low levels of bird flu, but it was unclear what strain it was. She said the bird had been euthanised before testing due to the severity of its illness, and surveillance efforts were continuing.

“We know these birds, these migratory sea birds, can be coming in anywhere along our coastline,” she said.

“That’s why we’re doing surveillance along the entire coastline. We’re particularly focused on areas where they might be congregating with other birds that are not migratory species, so wetlands, areas like the Coorong for example.”

The suspected detections come as locals continue to report sick seabirds along SA’s coast.

Anyone who sees sick or dead birds or marine mammals should not handle the animals but make a report to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888