An information from Bulgarian and Romanian partners (Wetlands international, ROS/ Birdlife Romania, and Birdlife partner in Bulgaria: Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds) came today about the worrying situation in Danube delta. A high number of Dalmatian pelicans (pelecanus crispus) have been found dead.

Srebarna Ramsar site, credit Alexander Ivanov

In Bulgaria, in Srebarna Ramsar site, 21 Dalmatian pelicans has been found dead, and in Romania, the lagoon area of Lake Sinoie found 108 dead Dalmatian pelicans in the colony of Ceaplace Island.

The Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water had announced the results from the laboratory tests. Unfortunately they showed the highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza H5N1 as reason for the pelicans’ death. Precautionary measures were set in the region and a search of other dead waterbirds is organized.

Dalmatian pelican credit Daniel Petrescu

 ROS/BirdLife Romania informed that avian influenza virus H5N1 was also the cause death of 108 Dalmatian pelicans in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. No dead individuals of other species were found. In all nearby localities precautionary measures have been taken, including quarantine of a few areas bordering the lagoon. An aerial survey has been planned for the beginning of April.