Antarctica

Researchers in Antarctica are investigating whether bird flu has killed hundreds, possibly thousands, of Adelie penguins.

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Last month, as per a statement by Federation University Australia, a scientific expedition discovered at least 532 dead penguins, with thousands more believed to have perished from an unknown ailment. Researchers suspect that the deadly H5N1 virus might be to blame, reports Reuters.

Is H5N1 responsible for the hundreds of dead penguins?

While suspicions point to H5N1, field tests were inconclusive, prompting further analysis. Samples are being sent to labs for deeper analysis as scientists are becoming more and more concerned about the emergence of H5N1 in South America in 2022 and its subsequent arrival in Antarctica.

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As per the report, they fear the virus could decimate threatened penguin species and other wildlife on the remote continent already facing challenges from climate change and environmental stressors.

Also read | Experts flag potential Bird Flu epidemic as '100 times worse than Covid'

Meagan Dewar, a wildlife biologist from Federation University, expressed concern over the potential impact of the virus on Antarctic wildlife.

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"This has the potential to have a massive impact on wildlife that is already being impacted by things like climate change and other environmental stresses," said Dewar.

She told Reuters that the dead Adelie penguins were found frozen in sub-zero temperatures on Heroina Island. While researchers were unable to tally all of them, their numbers were estimated to be in the thousands.

Despite the large colony of Adelies on the island, the live penguins had already migrated by the time of the expedition, said Dewar.

Her expedition confirmed the presence of the H5 strain of bird flu on the Antarctic Peninsula and nearby islands, particularly in skua seabirds known for preying on penguin eggs and chicks. 

Emperor penguins face the threat of bird flu

With approximately 20 million pairs of penguins breeding in Antarctica annually, including endangered emperor penguins, the threat of bird flu exacerbates existing challenges.

"There is now the potential that emperor penguins could be affected come springtime next year," said Dewar.

Also read | Rare human case of bird flu detected in Texas. The patient's symptom was weirdly shocking

Climate change-induced sea ice loss has already led to significant mortality among emperor penguin offspring, and the addition of bird flu could further endanger the survival of the iconic species.

(With inputs from agencies)