View source for Headlines:Royal Navy icebreaker helps protect Antarctic penguins from avian flu

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[[File:00 0074 Gentoo penguin in Antarctica.jpg|alt=Royal Navy icebreaker helps protect Antarctic penguins from avian flu|thumb|Royal Navy icebreaker helps protect Antarctic penguins from avian flu]]
Jan 21, 2024: The Royal Navy’s ice patrol ship HMS Protector is conducting a scientific mission in the Antarctic, where it is taking measures to prevent the spread of avian flu among the [[penguin]] colonies. The ship is working with researchers from the University of Portsmouth, the Animal and Plant Health Agency, and the Oceanites penguin-monitoring programme to collect and analyse samples from various penguin species. The ship is also helping the UK Antarctic Heritage Trust to preserve historic sites on the continent. The crew of HMS Protector are following strict biosecurity protocols to ensure that they do not introduce or transmit any contaminants to the vulnerable wildlife. Avian flu is a serious threat to Antarctica’s biodiversity, as it could cause massive mortality among the highly social and densely packed penguin colonies.

== See also ==
{{See also/penguin}}

== Sources ==

* [https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2024/january/19/240119-protector-and-the-penguins Royal Navy helps protect penguins in the Antarctic] mod.uk

[[Category:Published news]]
[[Category:Penguin (news)]]