The Bird Flu Claims the Life of a Polar Bear for the First Time
The rampant avian flu has now taken the life of a polar bear, a first-ever recorded case. Experts warn that this new mortality source could further threaten the survival of the already threatened Alaska population of polar bears.
Polar Bear Becomes First Recorded Victim of Avian Flu
A polar bear in Alaska has died from the avian flu, marking the first recorded case of this virus in the species. The avian flu has already caused the deaths of millions of poultry birds and thousands of wild birds in the United States alone. This new source of mortality for polar bears, a threatened population in Alaska, could make their survival even more challenging.
According to Alaska's Division of Environmental Health, the infected polar bear died in the fall, and its cause of death was confirmed to be the avian flu on December 6. Prior to this, the viral strain had killed several red foxes, one black bear, and one brown bear in Alaska. The bear likely contracted the virus by consuming a dead bird.
State veterinarian Dr. Robert Gerlach commented on the unprecedented situation, stating, 'This is the first polar bear case reported, for anywhere.' The bear's body was found in the North Slope, where over a dozen animals have tested positive for the avian flu since the outbreak began in 2022.
Threats to Polar Bear Survival
Polar bears, the largest species of bear, are already considered threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Their primary food source is seals, but the loss of sea ice in the Arctic due to global warming has led to a decline in seal populations. This loss of food availability poses a significant threat to polar bears.
Research has shown that polar bears have been increasingly relying on birds as a food source in certain Arctic regions as warmer temperatures cause earlier sea ice breakup. This puts polar bears in closer proximity to nesting birds, increasing the risk of avian influenza infection over time.
Douglas Clark, an associate environmental professor at the University of Saskatchewan, warns that the impact of avian flu on polar bears could vary among the 19 polar bear populations across the Arctic. Each population faces varying environmental conditions and overlapping bird populations, which influence their exposure to the virus and the potential impact on their population.
Challenges in Treating Avian Flu in Polar Bears
Treating polar bears infected with avian flu is currently extremely difficult and costly. According to Clark, it is not a viable option. The avian flu outbreak has affected numerous species worldwide, with novel conditions being created as the virus interacts with each new host species.
The recent avian flu outbreak has caused significant trouble globally. More than half a million poultry birds died or were culled in the three-week period leading up to the most recent report by the World Organization for Animal Health. The negative impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza on Antarctic wild bird and mammal populations could be immense, raising concerns among experts.
The progression of avian flu in the direction of mammals in recent months is a worrisome development that needs close monitoring. The potential impact on polar bears, already facing challenges due to habitat loss, food scarcity, and climate change, could have devastating effects on their population.
