Avian Flu Detected in Elephant Seal Pups at Northern California Beach

Año Nuevo State Park has closed tours and visits to the beach after illnesses among elephant seals.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Avian flu has been found in seven elephant seal pups at Año Nuevo State Park, a Northern California beach popular with visitors. Tours and beach visits have been suspended due to the illness among the seals, which is the first outbreak of avian flu in marine mammals in California and the first among northern elephant seals.

Why it matters

This outbreak is significant as avian flu has previously decimated populations of a related species, southern elephant seals, in Argentina in 2023. The rapid detection and response by officials aims to limit the spread of the highly contagious virus and protect the large elephant seal breeding colony at Año Nuevo State Park.

The details

The University of California, Davis, and U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed the presence of the avian flu virus in seven elephant seal pups at the beach. A team from UC Santa Cruz collected samples from ill seals, leading to the exceptionally rapid detection of the outbreak on Tuesday evening. Año Nuevo State Park has closed tours and public access to the beach through March 1 to give the wildlife space and allow for ongoing monitoring, while the Marine Education Center, Horse Barn Movie Theater and part of the Año Nuevo Point Trail remain open.

  • The outbreak was first detected on Tuesday evening, February 25, 2026.
  • Tours and public access to the beach have been closed through March 1, 2026.

The players

Año Nuevo State Park

A California state park located on the coast north of Santa Cruz, known for its large elephant seal breeding colony.

University of California, Davis

A public research university and one of the 10 campuses of the University of California system.

U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Laboratory

A federal laboratory that provides diagnostic services and conducts research on animal diseases.

UC Santa Cruz

A public research university and one of the 10 campuses of the University of California system.

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What’s next

The park will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on the status of the elephant seal colony and the reopening of tours and public access to the beach.

The takeaway

This outbreak highlights the potential for avian flu to spread to marine mammals, which could have significant ecological and economic impacts, particularly in areas with large breeding colonies like Año Nuevo State Park. The rapid response by officials demonstrates the importance of vigilant disease monitoring and preparedness to protect vulnerable wildlife populations.