Call for action on seabird flu toll

Conservationists have issued an urgent call for a response plan to the thousands of dead seabirds found on Scotland’s coastline.

RSPB Scotland wants the Scottish Government and Naturescot to take action as a bird flu epidemic sweeps through colonies.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has affected various species in great numbers.

Dr Paul Walton, head of species and habitats for RSPB Scotland, said: “Scotland’s seabirds are already facing multiple severe pressures.

“Now, a highly mutable and deadly new form of avian influenza, which originated in poultry, is killing our wild seabirds in large numbers.

“We urge the Scottish Government and Naturescot to develop a response plan urgently – to co-ordinate surveillance and testing, disturbance minimisation, carcass disposal and biosecurity.”