Bird flu has been diagnosed in ten penguins in South Georgia, one of the world's great wildlife hotspots.
Avian influenza had already infected other seabirds and mammals on the British Overseas Territory, but scientists now claim that gentoo and king penguins have also been affected.
The sub-Antarctic island's mating season is coming to an end, thus the immediate effects are expected to be modest.
High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) has been around for decades, but the world is currently experiencing a severe outbreak, with the H5N1 form of the virus killing countless wild and farmed birds.
Bird flu was initially discovered in South Georgia in October 2023 in the big scavenging seabird known as the brown skua, with further detections in kelp gulls.
Then, in January of this year, incidents were confirmed in elephants and fur seals.
It has also spread to wandering albatrosses and Antarctic terns.
However, there will be concerns about the following season, when wildlife will gather in large numbers.
South Georgia Island: Penguins infected with bird flu
