BIRD flu “may threaten the very survival of some species” in Scotland, according to experts in the disease.
The study, which looked at avian flu in wild birds, found long-term conservation measures will be the most effective tool against the virus.
The NatureScot report, published on Tuesday, analysed the unprecedented avian flu outbreak among wild birds since 2021, providing advice to support the work of Scotland’s avian flu task force.
Alastair MacGugan, a NatureScot wildlife manager, said: “Although there’s no silver bullet to solve this complicated dilemma, this report will be a great help as the task force plan action to reduce the effect of avian flu on Scotland’s important populations of wild birds.
“This is an upmost priority for our partners and ourselves as the geographic scale, range of species of wild birds affected, and severity of impacts, may threaten the very survival of some species.
“We have already stepped up our collaborative monitoring work in Scotland, and will continue to build on the recommendations in this vital report to make sure seabirds in Scotland have the best chance possible to rebound from the effects of this disease.”
The study found the number of wild birds which have been affected by avian flu in Scotland is unclear, as not all dead birds are found or reported.
However, the worst hit species is the population of barnacle geese originating in Svalbard, Norway. The virus was first detected in them in late October 2021 as they wintered in the Solway Firth region.
By the end of that winter, estimates suggest 13,200 of the geese – about a third of the migrating population – had been killed by the virus.
Barnacle geese originating from Greenland have been the most affected wild birds this year with 1190 deaths from the virus recorded and local population counts suggesting actual losses of at least 5000 birds.
READ MORE: Humza Yousaf confirms commitment to regional independence assemblies
Other species hit by avian flu include raptors such as golden eagles and buzzards, as well as seabirds such as herring gulls and gannets.
The report highlighted that bird flu will continue to be an issue for wild birds into the 2023 nesting season and beyond.
It found the most effective solutions will likely be long-term conservation measures for species which are particularly susceptible, accompanied by enhanced disease surveillance, monitoring, and continued research.
The study also looked at the effectiveness and benefits of short-term measures and found once bird flu is present in the wild bird population, it is difficult to control.
READ MORE: Glasgow shop boycotts book series after King Charles edition
Measures such as carcass removal or reducing human activity across sites are unlikely to significantly reduce the impact of an outbreak on wild birds.
Professor Dan Haydon, population ecologist at the University of Glasgow, said the report was an “important and timely” piece of work to protect the seabird population.
He said: “We were pleased to be able to collaborate with a range of experts and advise on the route we need to take to better understand this avian flu outbreak and help manage seabirds into the future.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here