Bird flu found in penguins near Antarctica, 200 chicks dead
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Bird flu found in penguins near Antarctica, 200 chicks dead
By Jake Spring and Gloria Dickie
January 30, 20243:18 PM PSTUpdated a day ago
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Jan 30 (Reuters) – A deadly type of bird flu has been found in gentoo penguins for the first time, according to the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), stoking concern that the virus could spread among Antarctica’s huge penguin colonies.
Researchers found, opens new tab about 35 penguins dead in the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic on Jan. 19. Samples taken from two of the dead penguins came back positive for the H5N1 avian influenza virus, said Ralph Vanstreels, a veterinarian who works with SCAR.
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The Falkland Islands government told Reuters that many more gentoos were dying under similar circumstances. As of Jan. 30, “there are over 200 chicks dead alongside a handful of adults”, said government spokesperson Sally Heathman.
The deaths confirm that gentoo penguins are susceptible to the lethal disease that has decimated bird populations across the world in recent months. However, gentoos rarely travel between the Falklands off Argentina’s coast and the Antarctic Peninsula, which lies some 1,300 kilometres (800 miles) to the south.
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That means traveling penguins are unlikely to drive the spread to the southern continent, said Vanstreels, a researcher affiliated with University of California-Davis.
[1/2]A group of gentoo penguins walk along Quentin Point, Anvers Island, Antarctica, February 4, 2020. REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights, opens new tab
“The role that gentoo penguins could have, instead, is to serve as local reservoirs of infection,” he said. “That is, maintain a pool of susceptible hosts that never leaves the islands.”
Heathman said the Falkland Islands government was also awaiting test results from rockhopper penguins and “preparing for a large-scale outbreak.”
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In nearby South Georgia, authorities ruled out a report of bird flu suspected in king penguins after a detailed survey of the site, said Meagan Dewar, who leads SCAR’s Antarctic Wildlife Health Network.
Hundreds of thousands of penguins gather in tightly packed colonies on the Antarctic continent and nearby islands, which could enable the deadly virus to easily jump between individuals.
Conservationists are more concerned about other species, Vanstreels said. Elephant seals and fur seals have died in larger numbers from bird flu in South Georgia, following mass casualties in those species in South America.
“This is especially concerning because South Georgia is home to 95 percent of the world’s population of Antarctic fur seals. If that population collapses, the species will be in a critical situation,” he said.
Reporting by Jake Spring and Gloria Dickie; Editing by Bill Berkrot and Ros Russell
Dog falls 85 feet into Georgia quarry while hog hunting
House bill to limit unfair chase in hunting
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BOISE, Idaho (KIFI) – A law working through the Idaho Legislature is hoping to stop some people from getting an edge over others when it comes to hunting.
Idaho Fish and Game sets the rules for hunting and fishing in the state.
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The agency describes fair chase as pursuing an animal in their natural environment and overcoming its senses.
But a small number of Idaho hunters is looking to exploit animal tracking data.
The group is filing a public records request to get the GPS information.
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State lawmakers are now looking to limit that from happening with House Bill 404.
“Lot of people after the same big l people do whatever they think they can get away with,” Jim Runsvold said.
The tracking collars are used to map migration routes, behavior and monitor the health of a herd, but without safeguards around that data, there is fear it is ripe for misuse and abuse.
The bill was moved on by the House Resources and Conservation Committee.
It was sent to the full House Monday with a do pass recommendation.
