Managing dead birds and wildlife on your land
In the Northern Territory wildlife carcasses can typically be left alone to naturally decompose.
Before burying or disposing of carcasses, you should report multiple numbers of sick or dead birds or other wildlife.
You can report online or call the hotline 1800 675 888 for:
- multiple birds are found dead in one location
- birds showing signs of illness before death
- unusual wildlife mortality.
Where H5 bird flu has already been confirmed in a species and location, collecting additional carcasses may provide little additional benefits for surveillance or disease control benefits. Collection efforts will be prioritised where they support testing.
Landholders may determine the best disposal options for their circumstances:
- Carcasses may be buried or binned.
- When collecting dead birds use safe practices and PPE.
- Some landholders may have the capacity to incinerate carcasses, subject to advice from Bushfires NT regarding seasonal conditions and fire bans.
As a commercial landholder you should prepare or review your existing organisational policies, your Environment Protection Act 2019 obligations and your WH&S guidelines to make sure they are up to date with biosecurity requirements.
You should also familiarise yourself with your Emergency Response Plan or Incident Management Plan that you may already have in place for your organisation.
Responsibilities
Land type | Responsibility |
|---|---|
Residential property | Residential homeowners and private landholders |
Commercial and rural land | Commercial and rural landholders |
Public places | Local Governments |
Pastoral leases | Pastoral leaseholders |
Aboriginal Land Trusts | Land Councils and Land Trusts |
Crown land | Department of Lands, Planning and Environment |
Parks and reserves | Department of Tourism and Hospitality In regional and remote parks carcasses will generally be left in situ. Parks, reserves and specific visitor areas may be temporarily closed. Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (Parks Australia) management of Kakadu and Uluru-Kata Tjuta national parks. |
NTG Sporting facilities | Department of People, Sport and Culture to coordinate with relevant sporting clubs |
Landfill
Landfill operators should use appropriate risk controls. The main risks to consider include pathogen exposure, increased contaminant loading to leachate, increased leachate and landfill gas generation, bioaerosols, odour, vermin and contaminated equipment .
During an H5 bird flu response, there is a heightened need for good disease vector control at landfills.
Ensure all personnel are trained regarding the hazard posed by H5 bird flu and their roles and responsibilities in implementing the controls.