Wildlife

Wild Gannet Colony Health and Avian Influenza

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has caused catastrophic mortality in wild gannet colonies, raising acute welfare concerns.

Key Facts

HPAI H5N1 caused mass mortality in over 40 seabird colonies in the UK between 2022-2024
Bass Rock in Scotland lost an estimated 25% of its gannet colony in 2022
Gannets die from neurological symptoms - head tremors, loss of coordination and seizures
Wildlife health surveillance enables population impact assessment and response planning
No effective interventions exist to protect wild seabird colonies from HPAI spread

Welfare Considerations

Gannets dying from HPAI experience distressing neurological symptoms before death - seizures, disorientation and inability to fly or feed. Mass mortality events in colonies affect breeding success and social structure. The welfare toll of HPAI on wild seabirds is enormous and ongoing, with limited capacity for individual intervention.

What You Can Do

Report sick or dead seabirds to APHA (UK) or equivalent wildlife disease authorities
Avoid collecting or handling dead seabirds - report to authorities instead
Support wild seabird monitoring and research programmes
Advocate for biosecurity measures that reduce HPAI spread along migratory flyways