Bird flu is killing seal pups

@JudyEv (382811)
Rockingham, Australia
June 19, 2026 12:55am CST
Back in March, I wrote about a penguin that washed up on our south coast. I mentioned Heard Island and said that bird flu had been detected there although all swabs taken were negative. However, the news today is that an estimated 13,000 southern elephant seal pups have died because of the virus. This is not good news. That’s a lot of seal pups to lose. Experts are warning that there could be a devastating impact on wildlife if the disease spreads to the mainland. The photo is of Thistle Cove in Esperance. I need to scan a photo of Sammy the seal who made himself at home in Esperance when we lived there.
13 people like this
13 responses
rsa101
@rsa101 (41135)
• Philippines
12h
It’s always sad when a disease outbreak hits certain species and wipes out their population. A simple virus can be devastating, especially when it mutates and jumps to other species. That’s how COVID became such a menace worldwide—it mutated to infect humans, which made it spread rapidly.
1 person likes this
Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (59525)
•
13h
That's just terrible...and a lot of baby seals to lose. Heartbreaking...and if it spreads to your mainland, truly a disaster. I am so sorry.
1 person likes this
Four Walls
@FourWalls (86993)
• United States
4h
Oh, that’s horrible. I hope they can stem the tide of that from spreading to other animals.
Anna
@LadyDuck (502979)
• Italy
13h
This is extremely sad, poor seal pups, I hope they can find a way to save them.
1 person likes this
Marie
@Tampa_girl7 (54748)
• United States
6h
That is so sad. I hope that the spread of it can be stopped.
Jimbo45
@Ineeddentures (35744)
•
2h
Not good at all 13 000 is a lot of seal pups to lose It could be like doomsday if it spreads to the mainland Wonder why it hasn't got there already Either by infected birds or marine life
Amber
@AmbiePam (121358)
• United States
10h
That sounds tragic. I hate to hear something like that.
snowy
@snowy22315 (209325)
• United States
10h
That is terrible. They better do their best to keep that virus contained
Juliaacv
@Juliaacv (56379)
• Canada
10h
How very sad that this illness has spread to such extremes and will undoubtedly be making history. I see that your country's team is up this afternoon to play a match in the FIFA cup, good luck to them. I will be watching the game.
DE
@DaddyEvil (174849)
• United States
9h
The worry now is that bird flu will also spread to humans. If seals can get it, so can humans. I hope it can be contained before it wipes out more seals.
Eva James
@wolfgirl569 (136160)
• Marion, Ohio
7h
That's very sad to hear about.
rakski
@rakski (157102)
• Philippines
8h
oh no, that is terrible and sad.
Scott Ganschow
@teamfreak16 (43710)
• Denver, Colorado
14h
Oh man. I hope there's something they can do. That's sad.