Avian Flu in Elephant Seals at Año Nuevo with Patrick Robinson

An avian flu outbreak among elephant seals at Año Nuevo reveals how vulnerable wildlife populations can be. Reserve director Patrick Robinson explains how avian influenza likely moved from seabirds to marine mammals and why long-term research is critical for detecting and understanding such events. Decades of data help scientists track early warning signs and assess potential impacts on seal populations. The episode also explores how diseases jump between species and whether this virus will fade out or become established in the ecosystem. Overall, it highlights the importance of long-term monitoring for wildlife conservation and emerging zoonotic risks.