Affected by bird flu, Mar del Plata sea lion population decreased by 15%

break out Sea lions infected with bird flu This year it affected samples of Elephant and Elephant species and spread rapidly along the coast of Argentina starting in early August 2023, causing the death of more than 600 marine mammals and reducing the population by 15%. The Colonies of Mar del Plata and Quican were the worst affected.

The first case was the death of a monohaired sea lion (Sophora flavescens) in Tierra del Fuego and Punta Bermeja Animal Reserve (Río Negro) in early August. As of August 22, 2023, the number of fur seal deaths began to increase significantly in the ports of Quicon and Mar del Plata.

Within a few days, a working group consisting of more than 70 people from nearly 40 agencies was established along the coast of Buenos Aires, contributing personnel and resources to the final storage of corpses, community monitoring, and internal distribution management. Coordination of sea lion health in ports, etc., is carried out by Senasa, with the participation of the Mar del Plata and Caicon Port Consortium, coastal municipalities, park ranger agencies, NGOs, the National University of Mar del Plata and Conicet.

Infection samples show Nervous and respiratory disorders: disorientation, incoordination, walking in circles, posture and attitude

Head upward, unable to move, runny nose, drooling, difficulty breathing and convulsions.

“Mortality rates are highest during August and September and then decrease steadily from October onwards. During this period, more than 600 sea lion deaths were recorded, over 95% of which were monohaired sea lions, species that form harbor colonies Mar del Plata and Quican”, Support reports to which he has access 0223.

Considering that at the beginning of the outbreak, the number of fur seals in the port habitat was estimated to be close to 4,000, the mortality rate in the province of Buenos Aires was estimated to be close to 15%. population. .

Although the area does not have a history of rapid mass die-offs of sea lions, the situation can be effectively managed with coordinated actions by different agencies over several days. The experience gained will help in the design of future emergency plans for such events, involving all agencies with management responsibility for the coastal areas of the province of Buenos Aires.