Vulture-Condor Vaccine News
The Carolina Raptor Center is proud to partner with private, state, and federal organizations to host an emergency vaccine trial to help protect critically endangered California Condors from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Read our national press release and check back on this page where further updates will be added as available.
Below you can find information and photos on the activities of the trial, the collaborative partners who have made this all possible, and information on the Carolina Raptor Center’s facility and mission.
Fast Facts
- In April, at least 17 California Condors die from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)
- The Carolina Raptor Center (CRC) agrees to host vaccine trial
- On May 3, CRC welcomed 28 Black Vultures with the help of regional partners
- On May 16, 20 Black Vultures receive the first vaccine dose, 8 Black Vultures are the control group
- Over several days of monitoring, CRC staff observe no negative reactions at injection sites
- On June 6, 10 Black Vultures receive second vaccine dose and blood is drawn from all 28 Black Vultures to analyze titer response
Carolina Raptor Center Director of Avian Operations, Kristin Dean, maintains vaccination records for each Black Vulture.
Black Vulture number 47 is the first bird to be vaccinated with the Zoetis Avian Influenza Vaccine in the United States.
