this week Antarctic penguins reportedly die from bird flu for first time. The virus is fatal to birds and some mammals, attacking two species: King penguins and gentoo penguins.
According to the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), They found 35 dead specimens on January 19, and the samples were confirmed to be H5N1 virus Avian Influenza.
According to the Guardian, these penguins were South Georgia and Falkland Islands, mainly Papua. Furthermore, among the thirty dead penguins, There are at least 20 chicks.
This is not the first time bird flu has killed penguins. Deaths have previously been reported in Chile, Argentina and South Africa. In fact, experts initially believe that gentoo penguins may spread the virus to the Antarctic region because they usually move between the Malvinas Islands and the coast of Argentina.
Antarctic penguin colony warns of bird flu
Additionally, H5N1 cases have been reported in Antarctica, but not yet in penguins, The virus has wiped out sea lions and elephant seals, and the first cases in polar bears were recently reported..
Experts warn that bird flu is a risk in this part of the world where some threatened species live.
“The H5N1 virus arrived in Antarctica late last year, posing a risk to wildlife in this vulnerable region and sounding alarm bells. Although It is very sad to hear reports of penguin deaths…unfortunately not surprising.Ed Hutchinson, a molecular virologist at the University of Glasgow’s Center for Virology Research, told the Guardian.
Likewise, this virus is a big problem for penguin colonies because they are very social animals. “I’m really sad, like everyone who cares about penguins and Antarctica… Given its colonial social organization, one wonders how quickly it spread throughout the coloniesadded Diana Bell, Emeritus Professor of Conservation Biology at the University of East Anglia.
Currently, penguin deaths have been recorded on islands in the Antarctic region, but Not on the continental shelfThat’s despite experts warning that the cases may have gone undocumented due to fewer surveillance staff.