WHY BIRD FLU DEATHS OF ANTARCTIC PENGUINS IS A FLASHING DANGER SIGN
- Recently, a highly lethal form of bird flu, H5N1, was identified in Antarctic penguins for the first time.
- The Falkland Islands Government reports over 200 dead or dying gentoo chicks on Sea Lion Island, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Challenges Facing Penguins
- Antarctic penguins are already under pressure due to climate change, pollution, and commercial fishing.
- Three penguin species in the region viz. emperor penguins, southern rockhopper penguins, and macaroni penguins - are listed as vulnerable or near threatened.
Extent of the Threat
- Prior to the arrival of H5N1 in the Antarctic region last fall, highly pathogenic bird flu viruses had not been documented there.
- Penguins likely have little existing immunity, and the virus could spread rapidly in large, crowded colonies, potentially causing mass mortalities.
- While H5N1 has been confirmed in gentoo penguins, its extent in other local penguin species remains unclear.
Global Impact and Concerns
- Scientists are alarmed by the potential spread of the virus in Antarctica, given its unprecedented toll on wildlife since emerging in 2020.
- The region serves as critical breeding territory for over 100 million birds and marine mammals, with concerns about the virus's potential immense impact on these populations.
Prelims Takeaway
- H5N1
- Falkland Islands