Wildlife Welfare

Wild Avian Influenza HPAI Wildlife Response

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 caused unprecedented seabird mortality in 2022-2023 and continues to pose serious welfare threats to wild birds globally. Response and monitoring are ongoing welfare priorities.

Key Facts

HPAI H5N1 killed millions of seabirds including gannets, skuas, and terns in 2022-2023
Affected birds show neurological signs including loss of coordination before death
Wildlife surveillance is essential to track HPAI spread and monitor population impacts
Biosecurity measures during outbreaks protect poultry but cannot contain wild bird spread
Some species including black-headed gulls showed partial population recovery in 2024

Welfare Considerations

HPAI causes a prolonged and distressing death in affected birds through neurological deterioration. The scale of mortality in some seabird colonies has been catastrophic for population welfare. Surveillance monitoring, support for affected individual birds where practicable, and biosecurity measures that prevent spread to poultry represent the available welfare responses to ongoing HPAI risk.

What You Can Do

Report sick or dead wild birds to APHA during HPAI alerts without touching them
Support seabird monitoring schemes tracking population recovery
Advocate for research into wildlife HPAI management and potential vaccination strategies