More 200 elephant seal calves die in Puerto Madryn from H5N1 bird fluOver the year, the disease has also affected marine life and birds around the world. Even adult and sub-adult specimens are victims of this disease.
According to a report prepared by the NGO WCS and veterinary experts from the University of Buenos Aires and the University of California, Elephant seal pup mortality rate unusually high this yearreaching 56% to 74%, compared with less than 1% historical value that has remained unchanged for decades.
Images from October 2022 show elephant seals enjoying themselves off the coast of Chubut, in stark contrast to current images from October 2023, when no specimens were observed.
In this case, Authorities urge people and tourists to keep their distance from the animals and report their presenceto reduce the risk of contagion of this deadly virus.
The authorities are working with the scientific community and society at large to combat this threat and protect the valuable marine life in this part of Argentina.