India, Oct. 25 -- Australian scientists have found suspected cases of H5 avian influenza, commonly known as 'bird flu', among wildlife during their visit to the sub-Antarctic Heard Island.

The island is part of the Heard Island and McDonald Islands external Australian territory. It is located in the Southern Ocean, over 4,000 km southwest of Perth and 1,700 km north of Antarctica.

The Australian Antarctic Program scientists were on a 10-day environmental management voyage to the region.

They observed unusual levels of mortality in elephant seals on the island, the Australian department of agriculture, fisheries and forestry said in its statement. Other species residing on the island, including penguins and other seabirds, did not exhib...