Gannet colonies are among the most spectacular wildlife spectacles in the UK, but avian influenza has caused devastating mortality at many key colonies, representing a major welfare emergency.
Avian influenza causes mass suffering and death in gannet colonies. The scale of mortality at Bass Rock and other key sites has been devastating. Individual birds affected by HPAI suffer neurological symptoms and respiratory distress before death. Colony monitoring provides early warning but no effective treatment is available for wild birds.