A new wave of highly pathogenic avian influenza HPAI is taking a devastating toll on seabirds along the Western Cape coastline. Conservation groups have raised the alarm, warning that hundreds of birds have been affected since the first cases were confirmed earlier this year.
As reported by , more than 600 cases of the virus have been confirmed in wild seabirds since 12 September, impacting several species, including Hartlaub's and grey-headed gulls, great white pelicans, kelp gulls, white-breasted, reed, crowned and Cape cormorants, swift and common terns, as well as an Eurasian whimbrel.
The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds SANCCOB immediate focus is to safeguard its seabird hospitals and aid conservation authorities with response efforts.