A suspected case of HPAI in a Black-browed Albatross is under investigation and awaiting tests according to AWHN's table of 'suspected and confirmed HPAI events in the sub-Antarctic and Antarctica' on the SCAR website; photograph by Ian Strange

The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research’s (SCAR) Antarctic Wildlife Health Network (AWHN) has implemented a database for High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) to track and document data provided to the AWHN regarding the spread of HPAI outbreaks in the sub-Antarctic and Antarctica during the Austral Summer of 2023/24.

As stated on the SCAR website, information submitted to the database will be used to:

• Monitor the movement and spread of HPAI in the sub-Antarctic and Antarctic region.
• Update the AWHN risk assessment for wildlife species and geographical regions.
• Update recommendations and guidelines for surveillance, monitoring and response to HPAI as we learn from this outbreak.
• Update the polar community on current suspected and confirmed outbreaks of HPAI and to further understand the biology and movement of this virus.
• Analyse the movement of HPAI and its impacts on wildlife colonies based on reported data.

 More information on the monitoring project can be found at the SCAR website, here, or for enquiries related to the database, please email, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ACAP recently released an updated version of its Guidelines for working with albatrosses and petrels during the high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 panzootic, first published in July 2022. The guidelines were produced by the Agreement's High Pathogenicity H5N1 Avian Influenza Intersessional Group in response to the growing concern of avian influenza’s potential impact on ACAP-listed species. The Intersessional Group consists of thirteen experts on epidemiology, disease risk assessment and management who advise the Agreement on issues related to the ongoing H5N1 avian influenza outbreak. 

In commenting on the overall scenario and the updated guidelines, Patricia Serafini, Co-convenor of the Agreement’s Population and Conservation Status Working Group (PaCSWG) and member of the ACAP Intersessional Group on HPAI said: 

"High pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI), caused by the virus H5N1, results in rapid and high mortality in infected wildlife groups. Researchers and authorities have been engaged in studying and understanding the impacts of this ongoing panzootic since the first ACAP guidelines on HPAI were released in 2022, and a lot of new information has been released. Migratory bird species arriving to the Southern Ocean (mostly between September and November) could transmit HPAI to the region, coinciding with the arrival of breeding seabirds, including ACAP species. Furthermore, it is possible that the virus could survive in the environment beyond the austral summer. Considering the present global panzootic scenario and the new information available, experts from several countries have been engaged together in an ACAP intersessional group to update and provide managers and ACAP Parties with the most up-to-date guidance for surveillance, monitoring, and response for HPAI outbreaks that might occur this season."

Further information on Avian Flu, including the updated guidelines, can be found at the ACAP website under Resources>Disease Threats>Avian Flu, here.

24 November 2023

Holotype of Plotornis archaeonautes (see the full paper for extended caption)

Daniel Ksepka (Bruce Museum, Greenwich, Connecticut, USA) and colleagues have published open access in the Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand on a new fossil albatross from New Zealand.

The paper’s abstract follows:

“Albatrosses are among the most intensely studied groups of living birds, yet their fossil record remains sparse. Despite modern albatrosses being more abundant and widespread in the Southern Hemisphere, the vast majority of fossil albatrosses identified to date come from Northern Hemisphere localities. Here, we describe Plotornis archaeonautes sp. nov., a new albatross species from the earliest Miocene that represents the earliest record of Procellariiformes in New Zealand and the earliest uncontroversial record of the clade Pan-Diomedeidae from the Southern Hemisphere. Phylogenetic analyses support the placement of Plotornis outside of the clade uniting all extant albatrosses. The new fossil reveals that stem lineage albatrosses were widespread by the onset of the Neogene. Although the humerus of Plotornis archaeonautes exhibits a short processus supracondylaris dorsalis, this early species may have possessed at least one of the unique ossifications associated with the patagial bracing system present in modern albatrosses.”

Reference:

Ksepka, D.T., Tennyson, A.J.D., Richards, M.D. & Fordyce, R.E. 2023. Stem albatrosses wandered far: a new species of Plotornis (Aves, Pan-Diomedeidae) from the earliest Miocene of New Zealand. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand. doi.org/10.1080/03036758.2023.2266390.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 23 November 2023

The Common Oceans Program is a global alliance of stakeholders and partners who have come together under the lead of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with the aim of, "promoting sustainable fisheries and biodiversity conservation in the common oceans".

The program is seeking participants to complete a short survey on the ocean areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ). Results of the survey will inform communication efforts of the Common Oceans Program.

The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete and participants will remain anonymous.

Questions about the Common Oceans Program and the survey can be directed to the following email,This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Access the survey, here.

22 November 2023

A conservation concern for the ACAP-listed Westland Petrel is mortality of fledglings downed by bright street and other lights as they head to sea at night and then can get hit and killed by passing vehicles. ACAP Latest News has reported on this concern several times over recent years, most recently in relation to plans to undertake mining near to the petrel’s sole breeding colony at Punakaiki on New Zealand’s South Island (click here).

The Westland Petrel Conservation Trust, which works to promote, support and actively engage in the conservation of the globally Endangered and nationally Naturally Uncommon petrel, reports this week on its Facebook page that as a consequence of the petrel fallout a patrol will run regular searches for downed petrels during the fledging stage starting on 13 November. The trust is calling for volunteers to join searches along the highway in the early evenings.

A Westland Petrel by Anne Lyon of Artists Unite for Biologists and Nature, after a photograph by Frank Valckenborgh

In support of the trust’s efforts, the New Zealand Department of Conservation has produced a leaflet setting out what to do when finding a downed bird. Its edited text follows:

“Westland Petrel/Tāiko chicks fledge between November to January from their colony just south of Punakaiki. Their first flight can be a tough one, as they are inexperienced fliers, and can become disorientated by bright lights and poor weather conditions. Adult birds are also found at any time of year. Once on the ground they need our help, as they are unable to take flight again easily, and are very vulnerable to being struck by cars and attacked by dogs.

The main flight path area for these birds at the northern end of the Barrytown flats has no streetlights, which is great for the birds ordinarily but means that they may be distracted by vehicle lights and come down on the highway. These large all black birds are then almost invisible against the black tarmac until the next car comes speeding along.

If you’re driving in the area, please be mindful of these birds particularly November to January and travel a little slower. The same applies in all coastal areas where penguins could be crossing too – better for wildlife, safer for you, and less fuel used – win – win – win.

The Department of Conservation and Westland Petrel Conservation Trust work together to help these birds get back out to the sea, and document when/where all birds are found, so we can work to remove attractive lights sources or hazards.

Particularly around Punakaiki and Barrytown but in fact anywhere between Hokitika and Westport, there are a few things you can do to help reduce the risk to this special bird, which only breeds in one place in the world.

To give them the best chance of success:

Avoid leaving bright outdoor lights on after dark and close curtains and blinds, as this confuses them
Keep dog(s) secure at home
Keep a cardboard box, with air holes and towel in your car, just in case

If you find a bird on the ground:

Use a towel (or item of clothing) to cover the bird and gently lift it into a box (unwrap the bird once in the box), or move it away from danger (traffic)

If you feel uncomfortable handling the bird or require assistance, please immediately call the numbers provided

Birds found can be transported to the “Petrel Drop Off Boxes” at the DOC Visitor Centre (if the centre is closed go through the gate to the left of the front door) and leave your details in the log book
If you are unable to transport the bird please call the numbers provided
Please do not attempt to release the bird yourself.

What happens next?

All birds are health-checked by DOC or the WPCT. Healthy and uninjured birds will be assisted to take flight again
Injured or underweight birds are provided veterinary and rehabilitative care by DOC
If you would like to know about your bird or attend its release, please let us know"

The flyer is here if you would like to print and keep handy or share.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 21 November 2023