Bird Flu Outbreak Hits California Elephant Seals, Tours Canceled

Officials close viewing areas and cancel popular seal-watching tours at Año Nuevo State Park after researchers detect avian flu in seal pups.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Researchers have found an outbreak of avian flu in elephant seal pups at California's Año Nuevo State Park, prompting park officials to cancel the popular seal-watching tours for the remainder of the seal breeding season. Seven seal pups have tested positive for the virus, and several more are showing signs of illness. The worldwide bird flu outbreak that began in 2020 has spread to wildlife, and seals and sea lions appear particularly vulnerable. While the virus is considered low risk to humans, officials have closed public viewing areas and tours to prevent any potential spread of the disease.

Why it matters

The annual elephant seal breeding spectacle at Año Nuevo State Park is a major tourist draw, but the outbreak of avian flu poses a threat to the seal population and has forced officials to cancel the popular tours. This highlights the ongoing challenges of managing wildlife diseases that can cross over from domestic poultry and impact sensitive ecosystems and tourism.

The details

Researchers from the University of California-Santa Cruz and University of California-Davis detected the avian flu outbreak after sick and dead seal pups were spotted on February 19 and 20. Testing confirmed the animals were infected with the HPAI H5N1 virus. The university researchers are now working with state and federal wildlife managers to monitor the situation.

  • On February 19 and 20, sick and dead seal pups were first spotted at Año Nuevo State Park.
  • On February 26, 2026, researchers announced the avian flu outbreak and the cancellation of seal-watching tours.

The players

Año Nuevo State Park

A California state park located about 90 minutes south of San Francisco that is home to a large elephant seal breeding colony, attracting thousands of tourists each year to view the seals.

University of California-Santa Cruz

A public research university that has researchers studying the avian flu outbreak among the elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Park.

University of California-Davis

A public research university that has researchers, including the director of the Institute for Pandemic Insights, studying the avian flu outbreak among the elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Park.

California Department of Parks and Recreation

The state agency that manages Año Nuevo State Park and has closed public viewing areas and canceled tours due to the avian flu outbreak.

The West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network

A network of organizations that is working with the university researchers and wildlife managers to monitor the avian flu outbreak among the elephant seals.

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What they’re saying

“We're definitely not panicking about human exposure at this point, but rather trying to ensure the health of the seals and people in general.”

— Jordan Burgess, Deputy District Superintendent, California Department of Parks and Recreation (Associated Press)

“After sick and dead animals were spotted on Feb. 19 and 20, researchers collected samples for testing at the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System. The screening showed the animals were infected with HPAI H5N1 virus.”

— Christine Johnson, Director, Institute for Pandemic Insights, UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine (Associated Press)

What’s next

Officials hope the closure of public viewing areas and cancellation of tours will help prevent any further spread of the avian flu virus among the elephant seal population at Año Nuevo State Park. The university researchers and wildlife managers will continue monitoring the situation.

The takeaway

This outbreak highlights the ongoing threat of zoonotic diseases that can spread from domestic poultry to wildlife, and the challenges faced by parks and tourism operators in managing disease outbreaks that can impact sensitive ecosystems and popular attractions.