Three California condors in northern Arizona have died after they were infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
The Peregrine Fund first observed a bird in the wild exhibiting signs of illness on March 9, according to the National Park Service. It was initially suspected to be lead poisoning.
Crews worked to monitor the bird and others showing similar behavior.
They collected the deceased female below her nest just 11 days later, She was the first bird confirmed to be HPAI positive.
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A necropsy was conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Clark R. Bavin National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory. The Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Lab analyzed samples and preliminary results indicated the bird tested positive for HPAI subtype H5N1. That result was confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Service Laboratory on March 30.
Since April 4, a total of three deceased birds have been confirmed as infected with HPAI.
Test results are not yet final for five additional deceased birds and others have been collected and are pending necropsy and testing, while five birds displaying signs of illness were captured by The Peregrine Fund and sent to Phoenix’s Liberty Wildlife for care. One of those birds passed shortly after arrival and the remaining four are in quarantine.
The Arizona-Utah condor population moves throughout that region and southern Utah, using the landscape within Grand Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, the Kaibab Plateau and surrounding areas.
The virus has not been detected in the other condor populations in California or Baja California, Mexico.
Any additional live or deceased condors collected in Arizona and Utah will be treated as HPAI suspected cases. Live birds will be transferred to appropriate facilities to receive care.
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