Researchers with the University of California, as well as the USDA, have recently confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza in seven weaned northern elephant seal pups at California’s Año Nuevo State Park.
This confirmation marks the first cases HPAI H5N1 in California marine mammals, and the first detections of the virus in the northern elephant seal species, the university reported in its announcement, adding that bird flu wreaked havoc in Argentinian southern elephant seals in 2023.
Año Nuevo State Park, which is located just north of Santa Cruz, Calif., is a noted home for northern elephant seals which sees its population rise to about 5,000 during the winter breeding season. The university adds that about 1,350 were at the park when the outbreak was detected. California State Parks have closed the park’s seal viewing areas temporarily, and tours have been cancelled for the rest of this season so officials can continue to monitor the wildlife health threat and curb the spread of the disease. Read more