MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands: dead Gentoo penguins with bird flu at Pebble island

Map of Pebble island shows the two Gentoo colonies

On Thursday 29th January 2026, swabs that were taken from dead Gentoo penguins at Pebble Island tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza. Several hundred penguins are affected.

Falklands Director of Natural Resources, James Peter Wilson said the areas with the dead marine birds are known as the Gentoo Penguins colonies at Middle Mountain and Marble Mountain, in Pebble.

Thus a Level 2 response will be followed at Pebble Island.

The Declaration will be reviewed on Friday 27th February.

The Falkland Islands Government, FIG, has prepared information and guidance about bird flu and preventative measures to try and reduce the spread of the virus. This has been approved by the Governor and must be complied with when an area or place is declared as infected. Guidance at: https://falklands.gov.fk/agriculture/avian-influenza.

HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) commonly known as Bird Flu is a disease which has caused hundreds of thousands of wildlife deaths, especially in seabirds and marine mammals such as Sea Lions.

Public updates will continue monthly with live updates of cases as and when they are confirmed.

The public are reminded to NOT TOUCH dead or sick birds but report them to the Veterinary Services on 27366 or 55366 out of hours.