West Nile Virus Kills Condor Chick

[Horse with no Name]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-condor14sep14,1,5394664.story?coll=la-headlines-california&ctrack=1&cset=true

>>>>>>>>>>>snip
A California condor has died of West Nile virus, officials said Tuesday, confirming a new threat to the government's 20-year effort to restore the high-soaring vultures to the wild.

"If even a couple of birds are hit by the virus, it is serious because it's such a small population," he said

Just two or three chicks are hatched each year in Ventura County's backcountry, Grantham said. Though the birds are constantly monitored with remote cameras, getting to them can involve a helicopter ride and a strenuous hike, Grantham said, adding that the effort is well worth it.

Condors are now breeding in the wild again, though the program continues to suffer setbacks from chicks that ingest trash, glass, antifreeze and a variety of other things.

[Megahurtz]

1. I'm sure the mosquitos are carrying the virus here.

Elch!

[kineneb]

2. poor little guy

I think the condors are so cool looking, in a sort of pre-historic way. Their wing spread is increadible.
We have West Nile here again and several dead birds have been found with it. It tends to strike the corvid family; birds such as crows and ravens. Tell friends to vaccinate their horses- the critters can die a wreched death from the infection.