5-1-2024 (ALASKA) The formidable polar bear, already grappling with the harsh realities of climate change and habitat loss, faces a new and unexpected threat. Reports confirm that a polar bear has succumbed to the highly contagious H5N1 bird flu virus in one of Alaska’s northernmost communities, as disclosed by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation in December last year.
This occurrence raises concerns about the virus’s ability to infiltrate even the most remote regions, with experts pointing to the potential transmission from infected bird carcasses as the source. The discovery comes just two years after the emergence of the latest strain of H5N1 in North America, signifying the virus’s swift spread and impact on diverse wildlife.
Polar bears, already classified as “vulnerable” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list due to sea ice loss, now face an additional threat. Experts fear that other undocumented deaths may have occurred in these remote areas, lacking regular human monitoring.
The ongoing H5N1 outbreak, originating in 2021, has claimed the lives of millions of wild birds globally, with thousands of mammals, including black bears, brown bears, bald eagles, foxes, and kittiwakes, falling victim in Alaska alone. The virus, initially associated with poultry, has expanded its reach, posing a potential ecological disaster if it affects predator populations, particularly penguins.
Antarctica has already witnessed the impact of H5N1, with brown skuas on Bird Island testing positive in October 2023, followed by mass deaths of elephant seals and other wildlife. Unique animal species in these polar regions, with limited exposure to such viruses, face heightened risks. The challenges posed by climate change further exacerbate their vulnerability to external threats.
Dr. Meagan Dewar, leader of the SCAR (Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research) Antarctic Wildlife Health Network, stresses the urgent need for mitigation measures to protect Antarctic species, including gulls, skuas, fur seals, and sea lions, as they confront the growing threat of H5N1. The situation emphasizes the delicate balance these ecosystems strive to maintain amid changing environmental dynamics.
