Wandering Albatrosses (pictured) are one of the species that feature in the paper's case study on the HPAI H5N1 outbreak in the sub-Antarctic region

Ashley Bennison (British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, UK) and colleagues have published open access in the journal Bird Study, a case study on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in the sub-Antarctic region. 

The paper’s abstract follows:

“Capsule 

HPAI H5N1 was documented for the first time in the subantarctic region on Bird Island, South Georgia, resulting in the mortality of Brown Skuas Stercorarius antarcticus, Gentoo Penguins Pygoscelis papua, Snowy Albatrosses Diomedea exulans, and Antarctic Fur Seals Arctocephalus gazella.

Aims 

The spread of the HPAI H5N1 subtype has had dramatic impacts on numerous populations of wild birds and mammals. We describe a case study that can inform the management of HPAI for conservation practitioners and researchers globally.

Methods 

We documented the detection, monitoring, and impact of the first known outbreak of H5N1 HPAI in the subantarctic region, at Bird Island in South Georgia (−54.3582, −36.5112) during 2023–2024. Deaths from HPAI were first suspected in September 2023 and later confirmed by genetic analysis.

Results 

In total, 77 Brown Skuas, 38 Gentoo penguins, and 58 Snowy Albatrosses were suspected to have died from HPAI infection, and HPAI was confirmed in 5 dead Antarctic Fur Seals. Total mortality was unknown for all species, as other individuals will have been scavenged before discovery, or died at sea.

Conclusion 

This case study provides lessons for the management, risk, safety considerations, and ethical decisions regarding animal welfare that may help guide research and management responses to HPAI outbreaks elsewhere, particularly in remote areas or in species of conservation concern.”

Reference:

Bennison, A., Adlard, S., Banyard, A. C., Blockley, F., Blyth, M., Browne, E., … Phillips, R. A. (2024). A case study of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 at Bird Island, South Georgia: the first documented outbreak in the subantarctic region. Bird Study, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2024.2396563

7 October 2024

The latest ACAP Species Infographic released today, the 17th to be produced in the 31-species series, is for the Vulnerable White-chinned Petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis.  It is the second to be produced for an ACAP-listed petrel, following that for the Near Threatened Grey Petrel P. cinerea.  The other 15 infographics are all for albatrosses.  It is also being produced in the official ACAP languages of French and Spanish, as well as in Portuguese, to reflect its regular occurrence in the waters off Brazil. These versions will be released soon.

The ACAP Species Infographic series has been designed to help inform the public, including school learners, of the threats faced by albatrosses and petrels and what is being and can be done to combat them.  They serve to complement the more detailed and referenced ACAP Species Assessments, the concise and illustrated ACAP Species Summaries and the ACAP Photo Essay series.  English and Portuguese language versions of all the infographics produced to date are available to download here.  French and Spanish versions can be found in their respective language menus for the website under Infographies sur les espèces and Infographía sobres las especies.

 White-chinned Petrel by Judith MacKay of Artists and Biologists Unite for Nature for ACAP, after a photograph (see below) by Andy Wood

The 17 infographics produced to date may be freely downloaded at a high resolution to allow for printing professionally in two poster sizes (approximately A2 and A3).  Please note they are only being made available for personal use or when engaging in activities that will aid in drawing attention to the conservation crisis faced by the world’s albatrosses and petrels – when ACAP will be pleased to receive a mention.  They should not be used for personal gain.

White-chinned Petrel on Bird Island, South Atlantic, photograph by Andy Wood

Work has now commenced on producing infographics for the Northern Macronectes halli and Southern M. giganteus Giant Petrels.  Both have been sponsored by the Australian Antarctic Division.

The ACAP Species Infographics are being created by Thai illustrator Namasri ‘Namo’ Niumim from Bangkok.  Namo is a graduate of the School of Architecture and Design, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design.

With thanks to Jonathon Barrington, Karine Delord, Johannes Fischer, Graham Parker, Richard Phillips and Peter Ryan for their help.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 04 October 2024

Amsterdam Island from the air, photograph by Thierry Micol

Célia Lesage (Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises, Saint-Pierre, France) and colleagues have published in the journal Polar Biology on a seabird survey conducted on France’s sub-Antarctic Amsterdam Island over 2021/22, prior to the 2024 eradication effort directed at alien rodents.  The island’s three breeding albatrosses were included in the survey with counts of occupied nests (Amsterdam Diomedea amsterdamensis 65 pairs, Sooty Phoebetria fusca 515 pairs, Indian Yellow-nosed Thalassarche carteri 29 671 pairs.)

The paper’s abstract follows:

“An invasive predator eradication campaign is planned for 2024 on Amsterdam Island, one of world’s top priority island for seabird conservation. In order to monitor the effects on seabird colonies post-eradication, a survey of burrow-nesting species and population monitoring of albatrosses, penguins, skuas and terns was organised pre-eradication. Several counting techniques and acoustic methods were used to infer presence/absence of burrow-nesting species and to estimate abundance of other species, as well as genetic methods for species identification. In total 14 breeding (or probably breeding) seabird species were detected on Amsterdam Island, among which eight burrowing petrels including two species never described on the island: the Juan Fernandez petrel Pterodroma externa and the sooty sherwater Ardenna grisea. Based on these new data, the introduced mammal eradication campaign on Amsterdam, if successful, will likely be extremely beneficial for seabird conservation, and may also favor the colonization of Amsterdam by new seabird species.”

Amsterdam Albatross – endemic to Amsterdam Island

Read about the completed eradication here.

Reference:

Lesage, C., Cherel, Y., Delord, K., D’orchymont, Q., Fretin, M., Levy, M., Welch, A. & Barbraud, C. 2024.  Pre-eradication updated seabird survey including new records on Amsterdam Island, southern Indian Ocean.  Polar Biology 47: 1093–1105. {PDF here]

03 October 2024

ACAP Executive Secretary Dr Christine Bogle meets with students visiting Projeto Albatroz's newly opened Marine Environmental Education and Visitation Centre in the coastal city of Cabo Frio

On her recent liaison visit to Brazil, ACAP Executive Secretary, Dr Christine Bogle was invited by Tatiana Neves, the CEO and Founder of the conservation NGO, Projeto Albatoz, to tour the organisation’s Marine Environmental Education and Visitation Centre. 

The Centre, located in the coastal city of Cabo Frio, aims to share knowledge about albatrosses and petrels, create awareness of the marine environment in which they live and the threats they are facing. 

Christine’s visit was the first from an intergovernmental organisation and was a highlight of her time in Brazil. During her visit to the Centre, she met with school students who presented their projects on various conservation issues, including the impact of plastic pollution on albatrosses. 

The event was covered by local media outlet InterTV RJ, who were reporting on the importance of seabird conservation, the positive impacts of environmental education, and the significance of global efforts to protect albatrosses and petrels.

ACAP Executive Secretary Dr Christine Bogle and Projeto Albatross CEO Tatiana Neves interviewed by Brazilian media outlet InterTV RJ on her visit to Projeto Albatroz's Marine Environmental Education and Visitation Centre

“It was a pleasure to visit the new Centre established by Projeto Albatroz in Cabo Frio”, said Christine. “It is so important to create awareness of these magnificent seabirds and their marine environment, and the Centre demonstrates Projeto Albatroz’s dedication to conservation efforts.”

Tatiana, who is also Vice-chair of ACAP's Advisory Committee, highlighted that while international collaboration has been key to conservation efforts for albatrosses and petrels, it is also important to engage children and young people in conservation issues. "Through environmental education and ocean literacy, we empower young people to be part of the solution to this problem, amplifying the conservation message within their homes, schools and friends, so everyone can protect the oceans with us."

During her visit Christine also witnessed the release of two rehabilitated White-chinned Petrels Procellaria aequinoctialis, an ACAP-listed species, further illustrating the tangible impact of conservation efforts.

Christine’s visit to Brazil underscores the importance of international cooperation in maintaining a favourable conservation status for albatrosses and petrels, reinforcing the need for continued efforts across national and international boundaries.

2 October 2024