The local session was one of 10 that took place across Victoria on a range of topics including response, risks and protections, personal protective equipment and sampling procedures.
The idea was to increase the knowledge of land managers responding to H5 bird flu.
More than 500 public land management staff and volunteers took part, in a bid to strengthen the response to bird flu across Victoria.
The surveillance and sampling training was delivered to land managers involved in detecting, reporting and collecting samples from deceased wildlife, particularly marine mammals and seabirds.
As a result individuals across more areas of Victoria will be better able to contribute to sampling requirements as part of surveillance efforts.
Agriculture Victoria delivered these sessions in Colac, Anglesea, Tidal River, Orbost, Benalla, Knox and Horsham Parks Victoria, as well as to the Victorian Fisheries Authority, Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority, Traditional Owner groups and other partner agencies.
Coastal land managers and frontline staff and volunteers in areas where migratory and native birds converge have assisted with reporting dozens of suspected bird flu cases already.
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action chief biodiversity officer James Todd said this training would ensure that those working on the ground responding to H5 bird flu had the information they needed to keep themselves and their local community safe.
“Upskilling land managers in locations across the state supports our ability to respond as surveillance requirements increase in the coming months,” Mr Todd said.
“The community can continue to help by avoiding contact with sick or dead wildlife and reporting sightings online.
“Handling, moving or disturbing birds can increase the risk of disease spread, place additional stress on affected wildlife and potentially impact the recovery of surviving bird populations."
If you see sick or dead birds or wildlife, ‘Avoid, Record and Report’ via the Agriculture Victoria website or call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
To keep up to date with Victoria's response to H5 bird flu, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu/
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