Western Cape Avian Influenza outbreak
UPDATE: Western Cape Avian Influenza outbreak
An Avian Influenza outbreak amongst wild seabirds continues to affect the coastal regions of the Western Cape with Dyer Island in the Overberg currently an area of great concern.
The Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, Anton Bredell, says efforts continue to bring the outbreak under control but cautions that the situation may continue for another few weeks.
“It is a very complex situation to manage considering these are wild seabirds all along the coast of the Western Cape. At the moment we are most concerned about Dyer Island where an estimated 500 birds per day are dying. Dyer Island is a breeding colony where the birds are in close proximity to one another and the infections are spiking.”
Other hotspots include De Mond Nature Reserve and the Bergrivier Municipality area where the outbreak was first seen.
“The next 14 days will be critical, and we continue to ask the public to work with us and not to approach or transport any sick or dead birds. Rather let us know so we can respond at speed. At the moment the Cape Cormorant species is most affected however, we are particularly concerned about the Bank Cormorant, a unique species of Cormorant which is extremely rare and may also be affected. We are also grateful for the cooperation and help from all the partners involved.”
The Disaster Management Centre also urges the public to be vigilant and report unusual mortalities in any birds to their local municipality, conservation authority or state veterinarian. The SPCA may also be contacted. Contact details for state veterinarians are available at https://www.elsenburg.com/services-and-programmes/veterinary-services-0#s=Animal-Health-and-Disease-Control
Related News
Environmental education gets a boost through CapeNature’s museum training
CapeNature has partnered with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS): Museum Services to expand environmental education across the Western Cape. During February 2026, CapeNature’s Learning and Awareness team trained 18 museum staff members from DCAS affiliated institutions to deliver activity-based programmes focused on water conservation
Western Cape marks World Wildlife Day as CapeNature highlights climate resilience and sustainable living
The Western Cape is marking World Wildlife Day on 3 March, a day proclaimed by the United Nations, by reaffirming its commitment to biodiversity protection, climate resilience and sustainable development, with CapeNature playing a central role in conserving the province’s natural heritage.
CapeNature Cubs Club Connect 2026 makes a splash with water-themed family fun
Scores of children and their families flocked to Jonkershoek Nature Reserve over the weekend to take part in a day of learning, laughter and connection in nature as part of CapeNature’s Cubs Club programme. Around 70 children and their families took part in the Cubs Club Connect 2026 event to celebrate this year’s theme, Water.
JOINT STATEMENT: Final Action Plan for baboons includes a sanctuary, fencing, and more
The Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT) consisting of representatives from SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town, welcomes the judgment from the Western Cape High Court which allows the three authorities to continue with the implementation of the Action Plan for the management of the Chacma baboon population.
Reforest Fest returns to tackle climate action in the Western Cape
As the Western Cape recovers from one of its worst fire seasons on record, with over 132,000 hectares burned across the region in January alone, Greenpopʼs Reforest Fest returns this Easter weekend with a sense of renewed urgency. The four-day restoration festival at Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat aims to plant 5,000 indigenous trees in degraded forest patches as part of Greenpopʼs ongoing work in the region.
CapeNature rangers praised for heroic rescue of stranded UK tourist
A visit to the iconic Robberg Nature Reserve and Marine Protected Area — one of the Garden Route’s most celebrated gems — turned into a life-threatening ordeal for a London tourist, and a powerful reminder of humanity of CapeNature’s field rangers. For Ms Rosalind Innes, Robberg had been a long-awaited addition to her South African travel itinerary.