EDINBURGH, Scotland – The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) has reported a significant decline in the population of Great Skuas, also known as the “pirates of the seas,” due to the impact of avian flu. According to the charity’s report, the numbers of Great Skuas, Gannets, and Roseate Terns have seen a dramatic reduction as a result of the outbreak of avian flu in 2021-22.
The Great Skuas, known for their predatory behavior of stealing other birds’ food and preying on smaller creatures like puffins, have seen a 76% decline in their numbers. This decline was also observed in other bird species such as Gannets and Roseate Terns, which were also seriously affected by the avian flu outbreak.
The RSPB’s findings have also highlighted the impact of avian flu as “one of the biggest immediate conservation threats faced by multiple seabirds.” Jean Duggan, RSPB’s avian influenza policy assistant, emphasized the seriousness of the situation, stating that the avian flu outbreak has compounded the numerous existing threats to these bird species.
A survey conducted by the RSPB in May-July 2023 revealed the extent of the impact of avian flu on various bird species, with Great Skuas, Gannets, and Roseate Terns being the most affected. Notably, the population of Gannets has seen a 25% decline, while the numbers of Roseate Terns, Sandwich Terns, and Common Terns have also been significantly reduced.
The RSPB’s report also highlighted the critical role of the UK in protecting these seabird species, as a significant portion of the global populations breed in Britain. Ms. Duggan stressed the importance of taking effective measures in the UK to benefit the global populations of these seabirds.
In addition to avian flu, the RSPB also noted other threats facing UK seabirds, including climate change, mortality linked to fishing, the effects of offshore wind developments, and a reduction in the availability of food. These factors, combined with the impact of avian flu, pose long-term challenges to the conservation of seabird populations.