"Pirate of the Seas: Great Skua Population Plummets Due to Bird Flu Outbreak"
The RSPB reports a significant decline in the populations of Great Skuas, Gannets, and Roseate Terns due to avian flu, with Great Skuas experiencing a 76% decrease. The H5N1 strain of avian flu caused mass mortalities of wild birds in 2021-2022, posing a major conservation threat to multiple seabird species. The decline in UK seabird populations is compounded by other threats such as climate change, fishing-related mortality, offshore wind developments, and food availability. The RSPB emphasizes the need for long-term vigilance and conservation efforts to protect these vulnerable seabird populations.