The avian influenza type H5N1 has been spreading in Germany since the end of October. Researchers from the Alfred Wegener Institute are now turning their attention to the Antarctic: on an expedition to the newly established protected area "Danger Islands", they want to find out whether the highly contagious virus is also spreading among Antarctic seabirds and whether penguins, which breed in huge colonies, are already at risk. The research team is supported by Tierpark Berlin, which contributed its experience in dealing with penguins.
From the North Sea to the South Pole: bird flu investigations in the Antarctic
Researchers are investigating whether penguins breeding in colonies in the new "Danger Islands" protected area are at risk of contracting the bird flu
