Peru: Avian influenza results in death of 41% of pelican population

The H5N1 avian flu spread through 16 Latin American countries and the first case of mass mortality of mammals by this pathogen was registered in Peru. According to the National Forest and Wildlife Service (Serfor), more than 3,000 sea lions and 120,000 wild birds have died since November.

Peruvian Pelican (Pelecanus thagus)
Public domain Image/Marion & Christoph Aistleitner via wikimedia commons
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chilepelikan_1.JPG

Although avian influenza mainly affects domestic birds, the first cases of infected wild birds were registered in 2022 in Piura. Since then, the virus has traveled the entire Peruvian coast until it reached some areas in the south, such as Ancash. Therefore, it is estimated that the virus arrived through food, that is, from sick poultry.

In addition to sea lions and wild birds, the virus also affected species such as Humboldt penguins, dolphins, boobies, oystercatchers, pelicans, and guanayes. Likewise, the death of a lion in the Huancayo zoo was confirmed.

“The data we are having implies the mortality of many individuals categorized as threatened. First, there was the oil spill in the sea, which terribly affected our biodiversity, and now what we are experiencing with avian influenza is very dramatic ,” said Lady Amaro, a specialist in coastal marine wildlife from Serfor.

In an interview for Actualidad Ambiental, he pointed out that enormous numbers of animals die every day and this causes alarm among the people who live on the beaches. In addition, the final disposition of the corpses is still controversial.

“For now, what is being done is to strengthen the capacity of the municipalities to prevent the transmission of the disease from wildlife to people. We are influencing a lot in the communication issue so that people avoid touching the animals when they go to the beaches but there are still those who try to save them or are unaware of the issue of avian influenza and do not believe that it can be transmitted to humans”, he explained. 

According to the specialist, the remains of dead animals should be taken to a landfill in the healthiest way possible. Although not all municipalities have the tools and do not have the resources to keep the beaches clean.

As of February, Serfor’s Forestry and Wildlife Technical Administration (ATFFS) and the National Service for State-Protected Natural Areas (Sernanp) have recorded these figures regarding the mortality of wild birds:

  • Peruvian booby (Sula variegata) : 53 034
  • Peruvian Pelican (Pelecanus thagus) : 47,432
  • Guanay (Leucocarbo bougainvillei) : 26 105

“In the case of the Peruvian pelican, we are concerned because in the last census, which was carried out in October of last year, there were 114,000 individuals. That is, 41% of the population has died. Boobies and guanayes also die in large numbers daily,” added the specialist.

Amaro stressed that avian flu outbreaks will remain throughout the year and monitoring must continue to verify the evolution of the virus . In addition, to take the necessary measures to maintain health on the beaches.

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