Scientists are on high alert as the threat of bird flu looms over Australia's Antarctic Territory. The deadly H5 strain of avian influenza has already caused mass mortality among mammals and birds in other parts of the world, and now it's knocking on the door of the continent's eastern coastline.
At Berkley Island in East Antarctica, a bustling colony of Adélie penguins is nesting on a rocky outcrop, surrounded by broken sea ice. While they squabble and waddle, Weddell seals slumber nearby, and a lone skua soars above. This classic Antarctic scene is replicated across the continent's coastline.
However, scientists are concerned about the threat of bird flu, which could wipe out populations. Bird ecologist Louise Emmerson warns, 'We know this virus is highly contagious and can spread dramatically.'
Avian influenza has already reached the Antarctic Peninsula and the Australian external territory of Heard Island, where hundreds of dead elephant seals were found. But so far, there's been no sign of the virus in the vast Australian Antarctic Territory.
Emmerson's team has been on high alert for the past two years, knowing the virus could breach the territory at any time. They launch drones to inspect penguins from the air, ensuring no signs of bird flu. If all clear, they collect samples from bird droppings for laboratory testing.
They also gather crucial population data to understand the virus's impact. Wildlife ecologist Colin Southwell explains, 'To detect any impact, you need baseline data. You need to know what happened before to compare with what happens after.'
The team monitors colonies near Casey Station and checks sites near Davis Station and Mawson Station. With a coastline spanning 4,000 kilometers, it's a massive task to monitor every population.
Penguins face multiple threats, including bird flu, climate change, and industrial krill fishing. Scientists attach tracking devices to penguins to determine if their feeding grounds overlap with krill-fishing vessels. They aim to establish a baseline of normal behavior for Adélie penguins, so they can assess the impact of various threats.
The ABC traveled to Antarctica with the support of the Australian Antarctic Program.
