Gannet populations at two of the world's largest colonies are not expected to rebound from the 2022 bird flu outbreak for nearly two decades, according to a new study.
The outbreak delivered what researchers described as an "unprecedented deadly blow" to seabird colonies on Bass Rock, off Scotland's east coast, and Grassholm, off the coast of Wales. The study, conducted by the RSPB, found that the avian flu led to a fourfold increase in adult gannet deaths.
This surge in mortality resulted in a significant decline in the size of these colonies. Bass Rock experienced a 26% decrease in its gannet population, while Grassholm saw a 38% fall. Although the extensive loss of life among tens of thousands of birds was previously known, the study warns that full recovery is not anticipated until 2041 at the earliest.