Heartbreaking images have emerged of dead puffins and gannets washed ashore in Scotland's North East as avian flu continues to ravage wild bird populations.
Stonehaven and St Cyrus in Aberdeenshire are among the seaside beauty spots where dying and diseased birds have been pictured by members of the public, as health agencies warn locals to stay away from the carcases for fear of spreading the disease.
St Cyrus National Nature Reserve has so far reported that 10 gannets have been found in the reserve, with a further nine found at Kinnaber beach, near Montrose, earlier this week.
Locals in Stonehaven have also shared photos showing several more dead birds, including gannets and puffins.
Bird flu has also spread to the Isle of St Kilda in recent days after an outbreak in the Shetland Islands, which has killed more than 1,000 sea birds, according to the RSPB.
The National Trust for Scotland confirmed a significant number of the Great Skua population has died in recent days.
Carcasses have been found across Scotland, with Fife Council warning people not to touch the dead birds when visiting its beaches.
Dog walkers in Levenmouth, Lower Largo, St. Andrews and Kirkcaldy, as well as wild swimmers, have all reported seeing dead and seriously ill gannets on the shore.
The current surge in deaths is part of the UK's biggest ever avian flu outbreak.
The Scottish Government say they are taking the situation "very seriously" and are working with key groups in a bid to respond to the rising death rate.
A spokesperson said: "Winter 2021/22 has seen the largest outbreak of avian flu in the UK to date. This has affected the wild bird population as well as commercial flocks.
“While maintaining high levels of biosecurity among domestic flocks helps protect against disease, addressing the disease among wild birds poses significant challenges.
“Avian Influenza is a disease that affects the wild bird population globally.
“The Scottish Government is taking the situation very seriously and is working hard with partner organisations to progress measures to respond to the reports of increased mortality among wild bird populations and help them become more resilient.”
The Daily Record has approached the National Trust for Scotland for comment.
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