Thousands of penguins in Antarctica are facing a dire threat as bird flu, specifically the H5N1 strain, spreads rapidly across the continent. Last month, researchers from Federation University Australia discovered at least 532 dead Adelie penguins on Heroina Island, with estimates of several thousand more casualties.
The expedition, led by wildlife biologist Meagan Dewar, found the penguins frozen solid in sub-zero temperatures, suggesting a swift and lethal impact of the virus. While initial field tests were inconclusive, samples have been sent to specialized labs in hopes of confirming H5N1 as the cause.
H5N1 bird flu has been more aggressive in wildlife since its arrival in South America in 2022, and its presence was first confirmed in Antarctica in February this year. Scientists are alarmed by the potential for this virus to decimate already threatened penguin species, adding to the challenges posed by climate change and other environmental stresses.
Heroina Island hosts a colony of approximately 280,000 Adelie penguins each breeding season. This year's expedition arrived after the breeding period, finding the island covered in the remnants of what is believed to be a tragic loss of life over recent weeks or months.
In addition to Adelie penguins, the research team detected H5N1 in skua seabirds, predators that rely on penguin eggs and chicks for sustenance, indicating a broader ecological impact. The British Antarctic Survey reports that about 20 million pairs of penguins breed in the Antarctic annually, including emperor penguins, which are nearing extinction due to diminishing sea ice and severe climate conditions.
With Emperor penguin chicks suffering from extreme climate events, such as the 2022 sea ice melt that led to thousands of drownings, the added pressure from bird flu could jeopardize their survival by the century's end.
Reference(s):
Scientists investigate thousands of dead penguins for bird flu
cgtn.com
