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The Democratic Alliance in the Western Cape notes with deep concern the recent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the province, the first since April last year. Cases have been confirmed in both farmed birds near Paarl and wild populations, with reports of multiple deaths among great white pelicans and Hartlaub’s gulls.

While the outbreak in farmed ducks and chickens has been contained through humane culling, the presence of the virus in wild bird populations poses a far greater challenge. Endangered and critically endangered seabirds — including African penguins, Cape cormorants, and Cape gannets — are at severe risk. Past outbreaks have had devastating consequences, killing more than 24,000 cormorants in 2021 and over 1,000 African penguins. This is particularly concerning as conservationists have warned that African penguins could face functional extinction within a decade without urgent and decisive action.

The DA will be submitting parliamentary questions on whether assessments have been conducted on the impact of avian influenza on African penguins and other vulnerable seabird species, the monitoring and mitigation measures currently in place, and the level of coordination between provincial, national, and conservation authorities.

Dave Bryant, MPP, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning said, “Protecting our seabirds is not only a matter of biodiversity, but of preserving an irreplaceable part of the Western Cape’s natural heritage. These species are vital to our ecosystems and our tourism economy, and we must act swiftly to ensure this outbreak does not cause catastrophic loss of life."

Issued by Dave Bryant, MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Environmental Affairs and Development Planning