Scientists are racing to solve a chilling Antarctic mystery after discovering thousands of dead Adelie penguins—suspected victims of the H5N1 bird flu virus. A recent expedition found 532 frozen carcasses on Heroina Island, with estimates suggesting several thousand more may have perished, according to Federation University Australia.
While field tests were inconclusive, samples are now en route to labs for analysis. Researchers fear the highly contagious H5N1 strain, which reached Antarctica earlier this year, could devastate penguin populations already stressed by climate change. \"This could massively impact wildlife fighting environmental pressures,\" warned biologist Meagan Dewar.
The stakes are global: About 20 million penguin pairs breed annually in Antarctica, including emperor penguins—already threatened by melting sea ice. The virus was also detected in skua seabirds, raising concerns about cross-species spread.
With Heroina Island\'s 280,000-strong Adelie colony now migrated, scientists hope lab results due in coming months will reveal whether this is a tragic anomaly—or the start of an ecological crisis.
A recent expedition found 532 frozen carcasses on Heroina Island, with estimates suggesting several thousand more may have perished, according to Federation University Australia.
While field tests were inconclusive, samples are now en route to labs for analysis. Researchers fear the highly contagious H5N1 strain, which reached Antarctica earlier this year, could devastate penguin populations already stressed by climate change. \"This could massively impact wildlife fighting environmental pressures,\" warned biologist Meagan Dewar.
The stakes are global: About 20 million penguin pairs breed annually in Antarctica, including emperor penguins—already threatened by melting sea ice. The virus was also detected in skua seabirds, raising concerns about cross-species spread.
With Heroina Island\'s 280,000-strong Adelie colony now migrated, scientists hope lab results due in coming months will reveal whether this is a tragic anomaly—or the start of an ecological crisis.
