A deadly strain of bird flu sweeping through remote islands near Antarctica has devastated the native wildlife population, 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 in October and January revealed images of seal pup carcasses littering the grayish volcanic 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, the program said. One area had a concentrated death rate of 97%.
Data collected in January also revealed several hundred adult king penguins across Heard Island have died, with scientists noting mortality was above normal levels.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
