Bird flu in Scotland has been branded a 'national emergency' as tourists have now been banned from visiting a group of islands on the west coast.
The outbreak - which has seen corpses of birds spread across beaches and fields - has become a significant concern to the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). Dave Sexton, RSPB Scotland officer on the Isle of Mull has told how he feels 'helpless' as the nearby Treshnish Isles have been closed to all visitors.
The charity officer also expressed a deep concern for the population of White-Tailed Eagles, after a number of the birds of prey were recently found dead on the island.
Sea Eagles were reintroduced on the Isle of Mull between 1975 and 1985 after a steady decline of the breed in the UK. Following two failed attempts, the species was restored by using donor stock from Norway.
Now, there are thought to only be 150 White-Tailed Eagles in Scotland.
Dave told the Record: "In the Highland region, young white-tailed eagles have been found dead in their nests and have tested positive for bird flu. Sadly we are now seeing similar situations on Mull, so the relevant authorities are testing dead chicks here too.
"Those results aren't available yet but it is deeply concerning for us. There are only 150 or so pairs of white-tailed eagles in Scotland (22 on Mull) so an HPAI outbreak among them could potentially have a population level impact."
While there has been no confirmed cases on the Treshnish Isles, which are located on the west of Mull, the visitor ban has been brought into place as a preventative measure.
A Scottish Government spokesperson told the broadcaster: “The Scottish Government is taking the situation very seriously and is working with partner organisations to monitor and respond to the situation where action can be taken, recognising the importance of communication and coordination in preparedness and response. The newly established HPAI task force set up by NatureScot will coordinate activity to monitor and respond to the current HPAI outbreak which is impacting wild bird populations in Scotland.”
Last week, we told how the bodies of more than 100 dead birds and a 30ft whale were discovered on a Scots beach amid an avian flu crisis. Gannets, guillemots and fulmars were among the species reported to have been found among the sands and seaweed at Ardwell Bay Beach in Wigtownshire, approximately nine miles south of Stranraer. A minke whale was also found on the beach.
Anyone who comes across dead or sick birds should report them to Defra on 03459 33 55 77.
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