The USDA has allowed vaccination of critically endangered California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) following mid-year losses of over 25 of the species in Arizona attributed to consuming dead birds infected with the prevalent H5N1 strain of avian Influenza.  Captive condors at the Los Angeles Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and Oregon Zoo were vaccinated and have developed a protective titer.  The captive population is now protected but the challenge will be to capture and immunize free-living condors.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is only the newest challenge to survival as the numbers of condors have plummeted as a result of habitat loss, lead poisoning, contact with power lines, poaching and ingestion of rodenticides.  In the 1960’s, environmental contamination with DDT insecticide reduced hatchability.  In 1987, the 22 known California condors that remained in the wild were captured and transferred to breeding colonies.  Although more numerous, the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) faces similar challenges as their smaller northern cousins.