Australia pulls research crew from Macquarie Island as avian flu threatens seal population

Australia will evacuate all 24 personnel from its Macquarie Island research station ahead of the elephant seal breeding season, when H5N1 avian influenza is expected to cause widespread deaths among the animals. No cases have been detected on the island, but officials cite the psychological toll of living near potentially large numbers of dying seals. The evacuation is scheduled for September or early October via the icebreaker RSV Nuyina.