Devastating Bird Flu Wipes Out Over 75% of Seal Pups in Australia

WHO:

Phys.org - Australian scientists reported the findings regarding the bird flu outbreak.

WHAT:

Phys.org - A pathogenic strain of bird flu killed more than 13,000 elephant seal pups.

BBC News - The H5N1 strain of bird flu was responsible for the deaths of the seal pups.

WHERE:

Phys.org - The incident occurred on a sub-Antarctic volcanic island known as Heard Island.

WHEN:

BBC News - The study findings were reported on a Thursday.

WHY:

BBC News - The cause of the deaths was identified as the H5N1 strain of bird flu.

HOW:

Phys.org - The bird flu infected a breeding colony of southern elephant seals.

(UPDATED June 18, 2026 16:14 UTC)

Australian scientists have reported a concerning outbreak of bird flu that has led to the deaths of more than 13,000 elephant seal pups on Heard Island, a sub-Antarctic volcanic island. The H5N1 strain of bird flu was identified as the cause, infecting a breeding colony of southern elephant seals. These findings were shared in a study released on a Thursday, highlighting the impact of this pathogenic strain on wildlife.