Falklands Conservation

Action Needed to Prevent Spread of Bird Diseases

Following the deaths of a few hundred chin strap penguins from avian cholera in the South Georgia colony of Cooper Bay, Falklands Conservation has issued a warning that the Falkland Islands need to do more to prevent the introduction of animal diseases to inhibit cross infection.

No Sign of Avian Cholera in the Falklands - yet

At present, Falkland’s birds that have been tested for avian cholera have shown no sign of antibodies for the disease - suggesting that it has never been present in the Islands. This lack of antibodies also means, should avian cholera be spread to the Falklands, many birds could become ill. 

Biggest threat is on passenger footwear

This would present a significant threat to wildlife, and bio-security measures should be enforced to prevent this. The charity’s Director, Becky Ingham, explained that the disease can be transferred, “...either bird to bird, by prey, or on footwear / foodstuffs carried between infected sites.” She suggested the biggest threat, “...is through passenger transfer of guano on footwear between sites.” 

Cruise ship visitors at Gypsy Cove, January 2005. Passengers visit many penguin colonies on one cruise, but are not required to follow a disinfectant procedure in the Falkland Islands

In South Georgia, where the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators regulations are enforced, disinfectant footbaths are compulsory. The risk of disease transmission from the Cooper Bay outbreak is very low.

Falklands needs footbaths

In the Falklands these regulations are not enforced, and only IAATO registered vessels are obliged to adopt them. “This means that vessels which are not members of IAATO (these are the larger ones with 500+ passengers on board) are not always using any appropriate prevention methods and may not use footbaths. Some operators are environmentally sensitive and responsible, but we need Island-wide standards. It should not be left to chance and for cruise operators to decide. Without proper enforcement, there is a real threat that these kind of viruses will spread from mainland South America to the Falkland Islands,” Ms Ingham commented.

IAATO Standard should be Introduced

The risk could be reduced by introducing appropriate regulations for wildlife site access. These would include compulsory footbaths and visitors having to declare if they have been to a seabird site elsewhere before visiting the Falklands - and adopting IAATO guidelines as a benchmark. No wildlife site receiving cruise ship visitors should be operating without this standard as a minimum. 

Ms Ingham recommended this should be introduced and enforced for “sustainability, protection from disease and having a viable cruise industry into the future. It’s the only way to go.”