Elephant Seal Populations Devastated by Avian Flu

Avian flu which has been contributing to bird deaths across the Americas has killed an unprecedented percentage, estimated at 50% of breeding female elephant seals and causing high infant mortality rates in pups in Argentina. California’s population is particularly at risk because of it low genetic diversity, and scientists are working to figure out how to prevent the similar scenarios in the US.

Elephant seals were almost hunted to extinction and the threat of avian flu adds to habitat loss, ocean trash, coastal development, extreme weather and increasing heat.