Fears for elephant seals as bird flu kills half of population in South Atlantic

The Guardian
The Guardian
1h ago 1 view
Bird flu has decimated the elephant seal population on South Georgia, killing an estimated 53,000 females. This significant loss raises concerns for the species' future.
Fears for elephant seals as bird flu kills half of population in South Atlantic
A What happened
A study has found that bird flu has killed around 53,000 female elephant seals on South Georgia, leading to a dramatic 47% decline in their population. This island is crucial as it hosts more than half of the global breeding population of these seals. The lead researcher, Connor Bamford, noted that the mortality rate was unexpectedly high. Many dead seals likely returned to the sea when sick, making it difficult to account for all losses. The study highlights the urgent need for ongoing monitoring of the population, as the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of bird flu continues to spread in the region. Experts express concern about the long-term effects on the ecosystem and other species in the Antarctic.
★

Key insights

  • 1

    High mortality rate observed

    The study revealed a 47% decline in the elephant seal population.

  • 2

    Urgent need for monitoring

    Researchers emphasize the importance of continued observation of the affected species.

  • 3

    Impact on ecosystem

    The loss of breeding females could destabilize the elephant seal population.

Takeaways

The significant loss of female elephant seals due to bird flu poses serious threats to their future and highlights the need for urgent conservation efforts.

Topics

Climate Change Wildlife Conservation