Mystery penguin deaths baffle scientists

A dead Adelie penguin near the Mawson station in Antarctica

By CNN's Grant Holloway

ANTARCTICA (CNN) -- A mystery disease is killing Adelie penguins at two colonies near Australia's Mawson station in Antarctica.

Nearly 100 dead birds were discovered last week by Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) penguin biologist Lyn Irvine in the colonies, home to around 15,000 penguins.

The deaths are particularly startling because penguins do not usually die at this time of the year -- which is when the birds return to Antarctica to breed.

"They are well fed and in good condition, and having built their nests are on the point of laying their eggs," Irvine said.

Scientists are probing the deaths amid speculation that it could be some form of bird flu.

Irvine's probe of the mystery deaths is being hampered by poor weather with snow covering up the nests of the dead birds.

AAD director Tony Press told CNN Wednesday they might be able to work out why the penguins are dying once they are able to examine specimens, currently bound for Australia.

They are being transported on the supply ship Polar Bird, which is not expected to reach Australian shores until January.

Quarantine

Penguins usually only die in large numbers when they are lacking food, Press said, adding this was the first time so many deaths had been discovered in Antarctica.

Strict quarantine measures have now been put in place around the colonies to stop any possible further spread of the disease through human contact or activity.

Australian scientists are at the forefront of developing ways to reduce the risk of introducing diseases to Antarctic wildlife.

While there are only 19 people spending the winter at the Mawson station, a research team of 33 is making its way there for the summer months when it is easier to do work.