Two

The high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) virus has now been publicly reported from Gough Island, a World Heritage Site, in the South Atlantic, following its detection in three Brown Skuas Catharacta antarctica found dead on the island in September 2024.  To date, no signs of the disease have been reported from other birds breeding on the island, including the Critically Endangered and near-endemic Tristan Albatross Diomedea dabbenena.  The arrival of HPAI on Gough fills in a gap of its spread around the islands of the Southern Ocean, extending from the Antarctic Peninsula, Falkland Islands/Islas Malvinas*, South Georgia/Islas Georgias del Sur* in the South Atlantic and to Marion Island, Possession Island, Crozets, Kerguelen and Heard Island in the southern Indian Ocean (click here).  To date, there have been no reports of the virus from Australia’s Macquarie Island or any of New Zealand’s suite of sub-Antarctic islands farther to the east.

(a) Map indicating the location for Gough Island in the context of locations with ongoing HPAIV H5N1 outbreaks reported to WAHIS (red dots), (b) Gough Island with the research station located in the southeast of the island (black square) and the island helipad’s (yellow diamond), (c) view of research station and helipad, (d) Tristan skua (Stercorarius antarcticus hamiltoni) [from the publication]

Information on the Gough incident comes from Antje Steinfurth (Centre for Conservation Science, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Cambridge, UK) and colleagues who published open access earlier this year in the journal Emerging Microbes & Infections.

The paper’s abstract follows:

“Understanding the mechanisms underlying the emergence and spread of high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) is critical for tracking its global dissemination, particularly via migratory seabirds, given their role in transmission over long distances.  Scavenging seabirds, such as skuas, may act as both reservoirs and vectors, and have been linked to multiple outbreaks since 2021.  Here, we report the detection of HPAIV H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in three Tristan skua (Stercorarius antarcticus hamiltoni) carcasses on Gough Island in the central South Atlantic Ocean.  To investigate potential incursion routes, we combined genomic analyses with year-round tracking data from global location sensors.  Although migratory movement patterns suggested southern Africa as the most obvious pathway, the strain detected on Gough Island was more closely related to that identified in South Georgia, indicating that infection may have occurred during the pre-laying exodus, when skuas disperse into frontal waters south of the island.  No further cases have been confirmed for Gough, but more systematic monitoring is needed to understand the dynamics of virus infection.  The detection of HPAIV H5N1 in skuas on Gough Island highlights the importance of continued vigilance, proactive and geographically inclusive surveillance strategies, and biosecurity measures globally, alongside efforts to reduce other pressures on globally important seabird populations to help strengthen their resilience.”

Reference:

Steinfurth, A., Lynton-Jenkins, J.G., Cleeland, J., Mollett, B.C., Coombes, H.A., Moores, A., Neal, R., Clifton, B., Falchieri, M., Jones, C.W., Risi, M.M., Golda, S., James, J., Ryan, P.G., González- Solís, J. & Banyard, A.C. 2026.  Investigating high pathogenicity avian influenza virus incursions to remote islands: detection of H5N1 on Gough Island in the South Atlantic Ocean.  Emerging Microbes & Infections 15(1).

With thanks to Chris Jones and Michelle Risi.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 26 June 2026

*A dispute exists between the Governments of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning sovereignty over the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (Islas Georgias del Sur y Islas Sandwich del Sur) and the surrounding maritime areas.

Near Threatened White-capped Albatross

The Fourth World Seabird Conference (WSC4), being organized by the World Seabird Union, will be held as a hybrid event in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia over 07-11 September 2026 with the overall theme “Wings of Adaptation: Seabirds in a Changing Climate”.

The World Seabird Union is launching its first Seabird Photo Contest as part of WSC4.  The contest is open to all in-person conference attendees and offers a chance to showcase seabird photography from around the world.  Submitted photos in electronic format must feature a seabird as the main subject and include a watermark displaying the photographer’s name.

All entries will be displayed on screens throughout the conference so all attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy the photos and choose their favourites.  There will be prizes for the top three photos, chosen by an independent judging panel, as well as the People’s Choice Award, which will be presented during the conference dinner on the evening of Thursday the 10th.

The deadline for submissions is midnight (UTC) 01 Augus 2026.  Entries will be made available on the WSU website after 10 August 2026.  For more information and to submit your photos, visit here.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 25 June 2026

Jonathon Barrington, ACAP Executive Secretary, addresses the Australian Antarctic Division during its World Albatross Day morning tea, photograph from Mandi Livesey

There was not the usual cake competition and banner display by the Australian Antarctic Division on in Kingston, Tasmania this year to celebrate World Albatross Day with its 2026 theme of “Habitat Restoration”.  Instead, staff gathered over morning tea in the AAD’s Kingston headquarters in Tasmania on Monday 22nd to mark the WAD2026 theme by celebrating the success of the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Program (MIPEP) with a short video made in 2014.

“Macquarie Island is a landscape transformed.  Ten years after the island was declared free of rabbits, rats and mice, the vegetation is flourishing.  Scientists and managers are now building on the success of this conservation triumph, to ensure the future of the World Heritage listed island and its wildlife”

Australian Antarctic Division staff at World Albatross Day morning tea, photograph from Mandi Livesey

“Sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island was so badly ravaged by rabbits, rats and mice that its wildlife populations were fighting for survival.  Rodents were [preying upon] invertebrates and eggs, and hillside erosion – exacerbated by rabbits – was leading to landslides that in one instance, killed hundreds of king penguins at Lusitania Bay.  Acknowledging the seriousness of that threat, in 2007 the Tasmanian and Federal governments funded an ambitious three-year, $25 million campaign to wipe out all three pest species at once.

It relied on a targeted strategy of aerial baiting, release of the calicivirus, and dogs to ensure the last of the rabbits and rodents were eradicated.  Dogs and their handlers scoured the island twice over, covering more than 90,000 km until in 2014, no rat, mouse or rabbit had been seen for the required two-year period and the island was declared pest free.”

With thanks to Mandi Livesey, Policy and Strategy Branch, Australian Antarctic Division

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 24 June 2026

A Wandering Albatross in the southern Indian Ocean, photograph by Kirk Zufelt

Ruijiao Sun (Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Massachusetts, USA) and colleagues have published in Geophysical Research Letters on the relationship between westerly winds from subtropical anticyclones and Wandering Albatrosses Diomedea exulans.

The paper’s abstract follows:

“Subtropical anticyclones are semi-permanent atmospheric high-pressure systems located in all five major ocean basins and are associated with large-scale wind and weather patterns.  They shape the physical environments of many species, yet their impacts on wildlife remain effects of the Mascarene High, the Southern Indian Ocean subtropical anticyclone, on a wind-reliant marine top predator.  Using 39 years of population data for wandering albatrosses (Diomedea exulans) breeding in the Southern Indian Ocean, we explored the mechanisms linking variability in the subtropical anticyclone to demographic rates.  We found that an intensified and poleward-shifted Mascarene High toward Antarctica enhances westerly winds, increasing survival and reproduction probability across all life stages of wandering albatrosses. These findings uncover a direct link between subtropical anticyclones and population dynamics, highlighting subtropical anticyclones as important drivers of the responses of wind-reliant taxa to climate variability and change.”

Reference:

Sun, R., Rouby, E., Barbraud, C., Weimerskirch, H., Delord, K., Krumhardt, K., Ventura, F., Ummenhofer, C.C. &  Jenouvrier, S. 2026.  Mascarene high variability shapes the demography of a wind-reliant marine top predator.  Geophysical Research Letters 53, e2026GL122317.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 23 June 2026

Mouse-Free Marion Project

World Albatross Day held on 19 June with the 2026 theme of “Habitat Restoration” has passed, and the response from around the world to the seventh holding has been most heartening.  Some of the activities and events held to mark the day will be featured here on ACAP Latest News over the next few days.  To start off, here is a portfolio of posters for WAD2026 from around the world that have been culled from websites and social media.

American Bird Conservancy, USA

South African National Antarctic Programme, South Africa

 Department of Conservation, New Zealand

 Namibian Nature Foundation, Namibia

 Artists & Biologists Unite for Nature, International

 KHarvill ART, Brazil

 BirdLife International

 Convention on Migratory Species

 Falklands Conservation, South Atlantic

 South African Polar Research Institute, South Africa

 Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels

 The Birding Life, South Africa

 Galapagos National Park, Ecuador

Hawaii Birdwatching, USA

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 22 June 2026, posted 23 June 2026

Gough Island is reflected in the eye of an

In May 2019 ACAP's Advisory Committee at its Eleventh Meeting (AC11) held in Brazil declared that a conservation crisis continues to be faced by its 31 listed species, with thousands of albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters dying every year as a result of fisheries operations.  Albatrosses are among the most threatened group of birds globally, with 21 of the 22 species currently listed as Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.  Only the abundant Black-browed Albatross T. melanophris is currently categorised as Least Concern.

Two decoys (in front) and a sound system broadcasting calls have attracted a live Laysan Albatross to land within a predator-proof fence in the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, photograph by Lindsay Young

Attempting to establish a new colony: a translocated Chatham Albatross Thalassarche eremita chick gets hand fed a defrosted squid on its artificial nest at Point Gap in the Chatham Islands.  Two adult decoys on bucket nests are visible behind (click here)

To increase awareness of this conservation crisis ACAP inaugurated a World Albatross Day (WAD), to be held annually from 2020 on 19 June, the date the Agreement was signed in 2001.  This year, the 7th World Albatross Day (WAD2026) will be celebrated by conservationists and wildlife advocates worldwide with the theme “Habitat Restoration”, as an opportunity to highlight the conservation crisis faced by these iconic ocean dwellers.  Each year ACAP has chosen a theme to mark the day.  The inaugural theme was “Eradicating Island Pests”. “Ensuring Albatross-friendly Fisheries” followed in 2021, then came “Climate Change” in 2022, “Plastic Pollution” in 2023, “Marine Protected Areas” in 2024 and “Effects of Disease” in 2025.

64 artworks by Artists and Biologists Unite for Nature are all depicted in a collage poster by Kitty Harvill

The 2026 theme of Habitat Restoration includes such activities as eradication or control of introduced plants and animals at breeding sites, reducing light pollution, provision of predator-proof fences, establishment of new breeding colonies by attraction techniques and translocations of eggs and chicks, candling and substituting infertile with fertile eggs, supplementary feeding and hydration of chicks, artificial incubation during hatching, and use of artificial nests, fly repellents and sprinkler systems to improve breeding success.

Two albatross species are being used to feature the theme for WAD2026, with posters and infographics being produced in the ACAP official languages, English, French and Spanish, as well as 64 artworks by 37 artists and a music video produced by members of  the Artists and Biologists Unite for Nature international collective (ABUN).  The featured species are the Endangered Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos, endemic to the Tristan da Cunha islands, part of the United Kingdom Overseas Territory of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic; and the Vulnerable Chatham Albatross T. eremita, endemic to the Chatham Islands, New Zealand.

A new World Albatross Day logo (in four languages and two formats) has also been produced for 2026.

ACAP Secretariat, 19 June 2026

“A New Dawn”.  Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross and Gough Island by Deepti Jain of Artists & Biologists Unite for Nature (ABUN), after photographs by Chris Jones and Laurie Smaglick Johnson

Tomorrow is the Seventh World Albatross Day to be celebrated by conservationists worldwide.  Each year ACAP has chosen a theme to mark the day.  The inaugural theme in 2020 was “Eradicating Island Pests”.  “Ensuring Albatross-friendly Fisheries” followed in 2021, then came “Climate Change” in 2022, “Plastic Pollution” in 2023, “Marine Protected Areas” in 2024 and “Effects of Disease” in 2025.  This year’s theme is “Habitat Restoration".

Bycatch remains an issue: a trawler in the South Atlantic is surrounded by Black-browed Albatrosses Thalassarche melanophris, photograph by Leo Tamini

The seven themes covered by World Albatross Day since its inauguration address most of, but not all, the risks that albatrosses and petrels face.  At varying levels of significance for the different ACAP-listed species, threats, real and potential, include light pollution at sea and on land, offshore structures (oil rigs and wind farms) and human disturbance and exploitation.

These threats could be considered as themes for future World Albatross Days.  Notably, light pollution affects at least four of the ACAP-listed petrel species, but not, it seems, albatrosses, which in the main breed on uninhabited islands.  Light pollution becoming a theme for a World Albatross Day would imply that the day should also address conservation risks facing petrels and shearwaters.  Bycatch of albatrosses and petrels by fisheries continues, so a theme could revisit this issue, perhaps directed at high-seas fisheries.

Street lights down ACAP-listed and Endangered Westland Petrels Procellaria westlandica on South Island, New Zealand, leading to them becoming roadkill from passing vehicles

ACAP Latest News would be pleased to receive comments on the above suggested themes, or proposals for new ones.  It is wished to announce the theme for World Albatross Day on 19 June 2027 during the second half of the current year.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 18 May 2026

Six-year-old Yash Upadhyay holds up his painting of a Chatham Albatross

The Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels has collaborated with the international collective Artists & Biologists Unite for Nature (ABUN) every year since 2020 in support of World Albatross Day, held on 19 June.  This year, ABUN Project #52 has resulted in 64 artworks by 37 artists, that can be viewed in an ACAP Facebook photo album.  Ten of the artists are young students of Deepti Jain, who is based in Mumbai, India. Seven of her students are shown here holding their artworks that depict the Endangered Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche chlororhynchos, endemic to the Tristan da Cunha islands, part of the United Kingdom Overseas Territory of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic, and the Vulnerable Chatham Albatross Thalassarche eremita, endemic to The Pyramid, Chatham Islands, New Zealand.

Arya Binu Nambiar, who is 13, with her artwork depicting an Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross tending its chick on Gough Island

Yuvraj Pravin Pawar Age-11 years holds his artwork of an Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross with two chicks on Gough Island

ACAP Latest News got in touch with Deepti to learn more about her art classes and herself.  She writes: “I have been teaching art for over 15 years, helping students develop their artistic skills while encouraging an appreciation for wildlife and nature through art.  I teach both online and offline classes.  Sessions are held twice a week and last approximately one hour each.  There is a total of 20 students in my classes.  The focus is on developing observation skills, artistic techniques, creativity, patience and confidence through a structured yet encouraging learning environment.  Alongside learning artistic techniques, students are encouraged to explore and learn about wildlife species from around the world, using art as a way to connect with conservation and the natural environment.

Dhir Shah (aged nine) with his depiction of a Chatham Albatross

Eleven-year-old Twesha Chatterjee has drawn a flying Chatham Albatross

Deepti continues: “It is very encouraging for the students to know that their artworks may contribute to raising awareness about albatross conservation through World Albatross Day.”  Deepti has submitted her own art to ACAP over several years of ABUN collaborations, one of which, entitled “A New Dawn”, has been made into a WAD2026 poster.

Varnika Gottapu, 10 years of age, with her painting of an Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross with two chicks – a rare occurrence

Students of Deepti Jain Art Classes, with Deepti offering advice

Aashvi Kumar, aged 11, has chosen a Chatham Albatross

Note that Deepti has obtained the permission of the students' parents for ACAP Latest News to post their childrens’ photos holding their artworks.

With thanks to Deepti Jain and all her students who have produced albatross artworks for WAD2026.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 17 May 2026

Sooty Albatross by Lenina Villela, Artists & Biologists Unite for Nature (ABUN) for World Albatross Day 2020

The Albatross and Petrel Agreement celebrated the first World Albatross Day on 19 June 2020, with the theme “Eradicating Island Pests”.  Seven years on, the theme for 2026 is “Habitat Restoration”.  ACAP Latest News has trawled through its correspondents around the world to find out what might be happening to mark World Albatross Day this year in countries which support breeding populations of albatrosses.  Here are some of the events and activities to look out for in three days’ time.

AUSTRALIA

Black-browed Albatross by Lenina Villela, Artists & Biologists Unite for Nature (ABUN) for World Albatross Day 2020

Keith Springer, Operations Manager, Mouse-Free Marion Project, will be speaking in a World Albatross Day webinar on Friday 19 June, organized by BirdLife Australia with the title “Managing vertebrate pests on seabird breeding colonies in the Southern Ocean”.  The webinar addresses WAD2026's theme of Habitat Restoration.  Yuna Kim (BirdLife Australia's Seabird Project Coordinator) will also be talking, with the title “Gabo Island seabird habitat restoration plan”  Read more and register here.  Thanks to Yuna Kim, Seabird Project Coordinator, BirdLife Australia (who will also be speaking in the webinar).

Down in Kingston, Tasmania, staff at the Australian Antarctic Division will be holding their usual get together for morning tea, this time on Monday 22 June with a group photograph holding their World Albatross Day Banner – no doubt also tucking into cake.  Mandi Livesey, Policy and Strategy Branch, writes that with this year’s theme being Habitat Restoration “we will celebrate the success of the Australian and Tasmanian Government Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Project”.  Mandi promises to send photos for a post WAD2026 write up.

JAPAN

Short-tailed Albatross by Lenina Villela, Artists & Biologists Unite for Nature (ABUN) for World Albatross Day 2020

According to Yasuko Suzuki, BirdLife International in Japan, the country will repeat its annual Seabird Week over 19-25 June celebrating World Albatross Day with photo and poster displays and lectures in the Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park.  On the morning of 21 June five talks will be given in the park, including on the recovery of the Vulnerable Okinotayuu or Short-tailed Albatross Phoebastria albatrus population on Torishima to 10 000 birds by doyen Hiroshi Hasegawa and Yamashina Institute for Ornithology researcher Naoki Tomita.  There will also be an excursion to view breeding terns, as in previous years.  Read more here.

NEW ZEALAND

Northern Royal Albatross by Lenina Villela, Artists & Biologists Unite for Nature (ABUN) for World Albatross Day 2020

As expected, World Albatross Day events in New Zealand will be centred around the mainland colony of Endangered Northern Royal Albatrosses Diomedea sanfordi at Pukekura/Taiaroa Head near Dunedin.  The Department of Conservation will be announcing the results of its Royal Cam Name the Chick competition on the 19th (with prizes on offer).  Royal Albatross Centre | Wild Life Tours in Dunedin, NZ will be once more be offering free tours and its Toroa Café creating another life-size albatross cake in celebration for World Albatross Day.  Information from Department of Conservation Biodiversity Ranger, Sharyn Broni.

SOUTH AFRICA

Wandering Albatross by Lenina Villela, Artists & Biologists Unite for Nature (ABUN) for World Albatross Day 2020

The Saving Marion Island’s Seabirds: The Mouse-Free Marion (MFM) Project, that aims to rid South Africa’s sub-Antarctic island of its albatross-killing mice, has been marking this year’s world Albatross Day with a series of posts to social media on the island’s four breeding albatrosses, building up to 19 June.  On Friday and Saturday members of the Mouse-Free Marion Runners Group will be in the coastal village of Betty’s Bay to be photographed with banners in support of WAD2026 next to the Critically Endangered African Penguins Spheniscus demersus that breed on the mainland in the Stony Point Nature Reserve (note that no albatrosses breed on the African mainland or coastal islands).  The next morning the group will join the 5-km Park Run in the local flower reserve.  Expect more photos!

World Albatross Day will also be featured at the South African National Antarctic Programme’s midwinter celebrations organized by Antarctic Legacy of South Africa at Stellenbosch University on the 20th, so a busy weekend.

UNITED KINGDOM

Grey-headed Albatross by Lenina Villela, Artists & Biologists Unite for Nature (ABUN) for World Albatross Day 2020

Antje Steinfurth, Conservation Scientist at the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, reports that Adam Charlton of the RSPB’s Marine Team has written an article “Saving albatrosses on the high seas” to mark WAD2026 in Notes on Nature on the NGO’s website.  Adam’s text concentrates on the threats that albatrosses are facing at sea and what is being done to ameliorate them.

No news about planned WAD2026 activities is in as yet from the New World.  However, events taking place in the Americas will be covered by ACAP as information come to hand.  It is pleasing to see how the seventh World Albatross Day is being marked around the world – in support of the seabirds it celebrates.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 16 June 2026, updated 17 June 2026

A total of 64 artworks was submitted, from which ABUN Co-founder, Kitty Harvill, has produced a collage poster depicting them all, and a music video co-produced with John Nicolosi (which also includes photographs that inspired the artists).  Five of these artworks illustrating both species by different artists have been chosen to illustrate posters marking World Albatross Daym as shown above and below.

The posters have been loaded as high-resolution versions to the website here for free downloading, printing and display.  It is intended to produce versions in French and Spanish.

With thanks to Kitty Harvill, the five ABUN poster artists, Lois Davis, Georgia Field, Deepti Jain, Anju Rajesh and Peter Shearer, and Ruth Cooper.

John Cooper, Emeritus Information Officer, Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels, 15 May 2026, updated 16 May 2026