Stark warning from New Zealand: Starvation driving seal mortality, triggering potential ecosystem collapse

Scientists initially feared that the fur seals had contracted an infectious disease, like bird flu, which may have previously killed hundreds of sea elephants and fur seals in Antarctica last year. However, after conducting autopsies on the animals, veterinarians and pathologists arrived at different conclusions. The cause of their deaths is starvation.

"Seals are not picky," says Jody Weir, a marine science expert. "But when mothers are lacking energy, their young start to die. A recent report highlighted that New Zealand fur seals consume 46 species of fish and 18 species of cephalopods. The fact that they are starving, despite such a diverse diet, is extremely worrying."

This scenario indicates that adult female seals are experiencing nutritional stress. They need to consume sufficient food and energy not only to sustain themselves but also to produce milk for their growing offspring. They are usually pregnant simultaneously, which considerably raises their energy requirement.

In another study examining these animals' faeces, it was disclosed that around 10 percent of their diet consisted of fish species such as New Zealand smelt. The behaviour and populations of these fish are dramatically changing due to increased sea temperatures.

Sabrina Luecht, a wildlife rehabilitator from Kaikoura, mentioned that in recent years, signs of starvation have been apparent throughout the food chain. Increasing numbers of sick seabirds are being washed up onshore. She believes that the deaths of seabirds and seals are connected.

"Essentially, we're witnessing the start of an ecosystem collapse, and it's profoundly worrying. I constantly struggle with how to raise awareness without causing despair. It's imperative to prompt some political changes in New Zealand and call for local changes, like expanding marine reserves, at least in the short term," Luecht stressed.