Bird flu kills thousands of sea birds, marine animals in Peru

An outbreak of bird flu is causing significant losses in several species of wildlife in Peru.

The H5N1 strain has killed thousands of sea lions and pelicans in protected areas across the country, authorities said.

On Jan. 27, a hundred dead sea lions were found floating in the waters of Isla Asia, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) south of the capital Lima. Some 716 sea lions have been found dead on various beaches around the country.

Since November, the virus has killed 63,000 birds, according to government data.