In August, the government decided to close access to different points on Rio Negro’s Atlantic coast and asked municipalities to ban any activities that would bring people to the seaside. The province has assured that the peak of infections has passed, but preventive measures remain in place. Sea lions that have died from bird flu and are still on the coast are a major problem.
The situation is more complicated in La Lobería, an area located in the Punta Bermeja Nature Reserve, nearly 60 kilometers from Viedma. Not only is there a larger sea lion colony here than in Las Grutas or Playas Doradas, but it is also difficult to remove specimens that have died from the disease.
They explained from Ambiente that in the spa, dead wolves were buried using machines, but that this could not be done in Loberia. Alternatives to intervention are being analyzed, as restrictions will be maintained during the summer, especially in El Candor, if there is a risk of contagion.
In Loberia, “the situation is monitored every day, which new animals with characteristics of illness or recent death continue to appear, and the health status is assessed accordingly. Today’s status indicates that the beach has not yet been opened.” Marco, El Cóndor municipal representative Magnanelli reports. The official also confirmed that “Lobería will remain closed until at least December 20, at which time the situation can be reassessed.”
A crisis committee met to move forward with a resolution to address sea lion deaths at the region’s beaches, while city officials added that other beaches could still be visited despite safety measures. Avoiding access to dead animals or animals with symptoms of illness is the primary measure to avoid new outbreaks of disease. Therefore, experts advise against taking dogs to the beach as they tend to be close to sea lions and risk infection.
“The health standards and methods used in different places to mitigate this crisis were maintained and approved at the meeting. Let us not forget that we are facing a virus that is, for the first time, on our beaches,” Magnanelli said. appeared on such a large scale.”
“That is why we cannot forget that a person who goes to the beach to enjoy it, even if the beach is open and does not have any restrictions, should not be close to a sick animal, nor should he be close to an animal with symptoms, whether it is a bird or a mammal. . Put aside the human tendency to want to help a sick animal on the beach and maintain a distance of at least 15 to 20 meters. Nature and natural cycles do the rest,” explains Magnanelli.