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Gannet Colonies Face 20-Year Bird Flu Recovery
3 Jul
Summary
- Bird flu outbreak in 2022 decimated gannet populations.
- Colonies on Bass Rock and Grassholm may not recover until 2041.
- Researchers recommend revising the gannet's conservation status.
Gannet populations on Bass Rock and Grassholm have been severely impacted by the 2022 bird flu outbreak. A recent study indicates that these two major colonies may require almost two decades to fully recover.
The H5N1 virus caused an unprecedented rise in adult gannet deaths, leading to substantial population decreases. Bass Rock experienced a 26% reduction, while Grassholm saw a 38% fall.
Researchers have warned that the breeding adult birds' mortality spike will have long-lasting effects. Consequently, they advocate for a revision of the Northern gannet's 'least concern' conservation status on the IUCN Red List.
These colonies, crucial for the species' survival, will likely not see a full recovery until 2041. Experts emphasize the need for continued monitoring to understand and address threats to seabirds.
