Utqiagvik, Alaska – January 6, 2024 In a significant and unprecedented development, a polar bear was found dead in Utqiagvik, Alaska, marking the first known case of a polar bear succumbing to bird flu. The discovery has raised concerns about the impact of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, identified as H5N1, on vulnerable wildlife populations, especially those already facing threats such as diminishing sea ice.
The deceased polar bear was confirmed to have died from bird flu in December by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. Dr. Bob Gerlach, Alaska’s state veterinarian, noted that while this is the first reported case of a polar bear affected by bird flu, it is unclear if the bear directly contracted the virus from an infected bird.
Dr. Gerlach explained, “If a bird dies of this, especially if it’s kept in a cold environment, the virus can be maintained for a while in the environment.” The case highlights the persistent and lethal nature of the avian influenza strain, which has affected various wild animal populations over the last two years.
The highly pathogenic avian influenza has previously been detected in different species, including dolphins, porpoises, seals, foxes, and otters, as more wild birds have been reported with the disease. The virus, known for its threat to humans, particularly those in contact with poultry, has presented a unique challenge for wildlife experts.
Andy Ramey, a US Geological Survey wildlife geneticist and avian influenza expert, emphasized the unprecedented nature of the situation. “What we’re dealing with now is a scenario that we haven’t dealt with in the past. And so there’s no manual,” he said.
Polar bears, already listed as “vulnerable” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list of endangered species, face additional threats due to the changing climate and diminishing sea ice. The bird flu-related death underscores the complex challenges wildlife conservationists and scientists face in managing emerging threats to vulnerable species.
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