Bird flu kills more than 75% of baby seals on remote Australian island, study finds
Summary
Bird flu has killed more than 75% of baby southern elephant seals on Heard Island, a remote Australian territory. Scientists found the H5N1 bird flu strain affected seals and some penguin species, marking the first detection of this virus in an Australian external territory.Key Facts
- Heard and McDonald Islands are remote Antarctic islands owned by Australia, located about 4,000 km southwest of the mainland.
- Scientists estimate around 13,000 baby southern elephant seals died from bird flu out of a population of about 17,000 on Heard Island.
- The bird flu strain involved is H5N1, which has spread globally among birds and some mammals.
- Six species tested positive for the virus, including southern elephant seals, king and gentoo penguins, Antarctic fur seals, and South Georgia diving petrels.
- The mortality rate in some areas was as high as 97% for baby seals.
- No unusual deaths were seen in albatrosses or two native species on the islands.
- Researchers think bird flu arrived at these islands in August 2023, likely from migrating birds from nearby French islands.
- Australia's Environment Minister said the deaths show the need to prepare for possible spread to the Australian mainland.
- Monitoring will continue through the Australian Antarctic Program to track bird flu in these territories.
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