Australia has just 12,000 sea lions left – and ‘carnage’ may await them as bird flu takes hold, scientists warn
Summary
Scientists have found the deadly H5 bird flu virus in seals in South Australia for the first time. They warn this virus could spread quickly among Australia’s seals and sea lions, which might cause a severe drop in their numbers.Key Facts
- The H5 bird flu virus was detected in a dead long-nosed fur seal in South Australia.
- A second suspected case was found in another long-nosed fur seal near Kangaroo Island.
- Australia has about 12,000 Australian sea lions left, a small and vulnerable population.
- The virus has already caused large deaths among seals and sea lions in South America and the Southern Ocean.
- Seals and sea lions gather in big groups close to seabirds, which increases their risk of catching the virus.
- The environment, like water and beaches, may also carry the virus and help it spread.
- Experts worry the virus might cause a serious conservation problem or even wipe out some species.
- Testing and monitoring continue to understand how the virus spreads among marine mammals.
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