A California Condor flies over Grand Canyon National Park with an identification tag on its wings
Trent Townsend/Alamy
At least 20 California condors have died from bird flu in recent weeks, and wildlife officials are bracing for the spread of the virus among endangered birds. Her highly contagious H5N1 avian flu, which is killing North America’s largest birds, is the same strain that forced farmers to slaughter millions of chickens last year.
This has taken a toll on the California Condor population (Gymnogyps californianus), which became endangered in the 1980s. Since then, intensive breeding and habitat conservation efforts have increased the number to about 500, of which about 300 are in the wild. Flocks of the Greater Vulture can now be found from western Canada to northern Mexico.
In recent weeks, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has confirmed at least 20 condor deaths in herds around Arizona and Utah. So far, 10 condors in the flock have tested positive for bird flu, and the remaining 10 of his are currently being tested. This death represents the loss of 7% of his wild population of this species.
As of April 17, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was rehabilitating four condors from a herd in the southwestern United States. According to a statement, they are “receiving supportive care and showing improvement.”
Eileen Anderson of the Arizona Center for Biodiversity said, “My concern is that as bird flu in general becomes more prevalent in bird populations, it could spread throughout the local condor population. is that there is “The lack of a known vaccine or proven treatment could at least delay the California condor’s recovery for years, and at worst could deplete the population.”
Avian influenza has not been detected in neighboring flocks in California or the Baja California peninsula of Mexico. Officials say they are monitoring condors nearby and are prepared in case the infection spreads, especially as migratory birds that may carry the virus are flying north for spring migrations.
Although there have been rare cases of bird flu illness and human deaths, public health officials advise that transmission is rare and that close contact with sick or dead wildlife is avoided.
topic:
