Concerns over rising bird flu cases in Jersey seabirds

PA Media Gannets gathered on cliffsPA Media
"Plenty of dead gannets" were found washed up along the island's shores in August

A Jersey wildlife expert has said rising cases of bird flu among seabirds was adding to a growing list of problems they faced.

Jersey Wildlife reported several gannets had washed up on the beaches, suspected to have died from the virus.

Islanders spotted the dead birds along the shoreline south of St Helier, and at Greve D'Azette.

Curator of birds at Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust Glyn Young said it was another challenge for sea birds.

"If it stays in the seabirds and doesn't spread out of the seabirds it's still going to be awful, they're already having trouble with finding food, pollution in competition with human beings in the sea so it's really the last thing they needed," he said.

The government asked keepers to separate their poultry from wild birds to stop the flu spreading further due to the rising cases.

presentational grey line

Follow BBC News South West on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].