Home / Environment / H5N1 Bird Flu Ravages Antarctic Seals, Penguins
H5N1 Bird Flu Ravages Antarctic Seals, Penguins
18 Jun
Summary
- Over 13,000 seal pups died on Heard Island due to H5N1.
- Six of nine species on Heard Island tested positive for H5N1.
- Australia allocated $11.2m to prepare for potential H5N1 incursion.
Mass deaths of southern elephant seal pups have been confirmed on Heard Island, an Australian subantarctic territory. Testing revealed the deadly H5N1 bird flu is spreading among penguins, seals, and petrels, with over 13,000 seal pups dying. Drone and ground surveys conducted in October 2025 and January 2026 showed extremely high mortality rates, averaging 76% and reaching up to 97% in one location.
Six of nine species on Heard Island have now tested positive for H5N1, including southern elephant seals, king penguins, gentoo penguins, Antarctic fur seals, and South Georgia diving petrels. Genetic analysis suggests the virus was introduced from the French subantarctic Crozet Islands around August 2025. This marks the first detection of H5N1 in an Australian external territory and indicates the virus's continued eastward movement.
Australian scientists are monitoring other territories for signs of the flu, while the federal government has allocated an additional $11.2 million in the 2026-27 budget for preparedness. Experts emphasize the importance of public reporting of sick or dead wildlife via the emergency animal disease hotline.
