“The team has submitted its findings about mortality levels and the virus’s likely pathway to Heard Island to a scientific journal for consideration. Heard Island and McDonald Islands are an Australian external territory located in the Southern Ocean, about 4,000 km SW of mainland Australia. Samples from nine vertebrate species were tested at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, with six species testing positive for the viral strain that has been spreading globally. These included southern elephant seal, king penguin, gentoo penguin, Antarctic fur seal and South Georgia diving petrel. Analysis of drone surveys taken on two voyages in October 2025 and January 2026 reveal very high mortality in southern elephant seal pups and elevated mortality in king and gentoo penguins. Analysis of data collected in October estimated average pup mortality was 76 per cent in the final surveys and as high as 97 per cent in one area. Total pup production was estimated at around 17,000 and island-wide mortality was estimated at around 13,000 pups on Heard Island.”

“By January 2026, widespread elephant seal pup mortality was detected in all surveyed breeding areas, including evidence of mortality at McDonald Island (by drone survey). However, due to the remoteness and protected status, no on-ground sampling was undertaken, meaning laboratory confirmation was not possible,” says a press release from the Australian Antarctic Program.

Definitely the worst thing to happen to the remote and unihabited rocks since convicted felon President Trump imposed a 10 percent tariff on their completely non-existent exports last year.