YOU WONT BELIEVE: Macquarie island - What They Never Told You

First bird flu detection on remote sub-Antarctic island

Testing has confirmed the presence of bird flu on Macquarie Island, a wildlife haven in the sub-Antarctic that carries World Heritage status.

AAP · Oct 15

Bird flu could devastate Macquarie Island. Why are we removing the scientists we need to understand it?

Australia’s Macquarie Island lies deep in the Southern Ocean, about 1,500 kilometres southeast of Tasmania. This World Heritage-listed sanctuary is a haven for species such as elephant and fur seals, penguins, albatrosses and petrels, and a key site for wildlife researchers.

The Conversation · Sep 1

Major psychological risk for scientists facing bird flu

Researchers will leave an Australian island in the first major move to safeguard the psychological wellbeing of scientists as bird flu is expected to hit.

AAP · Aug 28

Storms in the Southern Ocean are producing more rain – and the consequences could be global

If you ever find yourself on Macquarie Island – a narrow, wind-lashed ridge halfway between Tasmania and Antarctica – the first thing you’ll notice is the wildlife. Elephant seals sprawl across dark beaches. King penguins march up mossy slopes. Albatrosses circle over vast, treeless uplands.

The Conversation · Dec 4, 2025

Ecologists warn deadly H5N1 bird flu could arrive in Australia via Antarctica as preparations ramp up

Influx of highly pathogenic strain a case of ‘not if, but when’ and could devastate native wildlife, experts say

The Guardian - AU · Aug 14, 2024

Remote island's 'miraculous' pest-free transformation

Macquarie Island is flourishing after a world-leading eradication program resulted in the sub-Antarctic outpost being declared free of pests in 2014.

AAP · May 30, 2024

Macquarie Island Marine Park set to triple in size

The federal government plans to triple the size of Macquarie Island Marine Park, home to vast congregations of wildlife living between Tasmania and Antarctica.

The New Daily · Jun 5, 2023

Full judgment in defamation case handed down – as it happened

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The Guardian - AU · Jun 4, 2023

Macquarie Island marine park set to almost triple in size

Australia's federal environment minister signs off on plans to almost triple the size of the marine park off Macquarie Island — and the seafood industry's peak body have concerns about the process by which the decision was made.

ABC News · Jun 4, 2023

Nine years after official pest-free status, Macquarie Island is recovering but it's a 'long game'

It's nine years since cats, rats, and rabbits were officially declared eradicated from sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island, but scientists fear a new threat is challenging its fragile ecosystem.

ABC News · May 29, 2023