A deadly strain of bird flu has devastated the native wildlife population on remote sub-Antarctic islands, killing an estimated 13,000 seal pups, as well as penguins and seabirds, researchers say.

Impact on Wildlife

Drone surveys conducted by the Australian Antarctic Program revealed images of seal pup carcasses littering the shores of Heard and McDonald Islands. The southern elephant seal pup mortality was estimated to be 76% across a population of 17,000 seal pups born on the islands.

Data collected in January also revealed several hundred adult king penguins across Heard Island have died, with scientists noting mortality was above normal levels. The H5 bird flu was likely introduced to the islands through wildlife from the French sub-Antarctic Crozet Islands.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.