A polar bear in Alaska has tested positive for the highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza, H5N1, marking a first for the species in a polar region. This strain of influenza, known to be extremely deadly and increasingly infectious, has been spreading among birds and mammals across Africa, Asia, and Europe, with over 82 million birds affected in the United States as of March 6, 2024. The virus, transmitted through contaminated body fluids and spread by wild birds, has the potential to severely impact wildlife already facing stressors from pollution, climate change, habitat loss, and invasive species. Although human infections have been rare, experts warn of the virus's pandemic potential and its implications for wildlife.