November 20, 2023

we can make a difference

Jamie and I, with Barlow in tow, are traveling down the Pacific Coast Highway to visit my brother and his family for Thanksgiving. Long postponed, we finally will make it. This drive has been one we’ve planned for a while. Just like the pictures you’ve probably seen, the views are glorious, the roads winding, with weather from rainy to clear. Mostly clear. Glorious in many ways, except don’t ask Barlow. He’d gladly leave out the twisting roads.

It’s funny what pre-conceived notions we have about places. For some reason, I imagined Santa Cruz as hilly and steep from the beach up. But no, it’s flatter than I expected, such a quintessential California town, had a wonderful visit with dear friends, played tunes by the shore, even watched a surfing contest (for about 3 minutes.)

Last night we camped in Big Sur, a place that looms large in mystique for me. The stars were brilliant, the redwoods stood guard silently. Tonight we are camping near Ojai. I hope is to see a California Condor, which have the largest wingspan of any North American bird. There is a sanctuary near here. I keep thinking I see one but it’s a turkey vulture instead.

You might wonder what Condors have to do with pandemics. I’d love to tell you about it.

The first thing is that the survival of the species is a true success. They were victims of DDT and other agricultural chemicals, poaching, habitat destruction, and lead poisoning. Because they are scavengers and eat the carcasses of dead animals, they often ingested lead shot from hunting. In 1987, only 22 were left, on the verge of extinction. The US government put a conservation plan in place, capturing the last free condors for breeding programs at the San Diego and Los Angeles zoos. They also did outreach to hunters in the southwest to switch to non-lead based shot for their guns.

Most people were skeptical the breeding programs could work. They’ve been successful. Slowly the population has built up. Now 558 are alive by last counting in October. They live in scattered areas across California and Arizona, and recently Baja Mexico. They can live for 50 years or more and have a huge range, flying 160 miles in one day.

I first heard about the program when the first ones were released to the wild in 1991 at the Vermillion Cliffs north of the Grand Canyon. I’ve seen them at their release site. Because people wanted to make a difference, they survived. The Peregrine Fund is one of my favorite charities because of the the work they do to support condors and other raptors. Plus they have a cool calendar every year.

That’s where the epidemic comes in. You may have heard about the “Bird Flu” or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) that has been raging across North America, killing many birds. Sadly, it infected and killed 21 condors last spring. Threatening for such a small population.

Fortunately, just like for us and COVID, the US government through the USDA is testing a new vaccine. It seems to work and studies continue. Vaccinated condors are being released as part of that trial. It’s a true trial looking at two different dosing schedules, with a control group that is not immunized. The data over the next year will be helpful.

We are lucky to live in a time where science can make such a difference so quickly. The new vaccine brings encouraging news. It can mean the survival of a species. I am grateful for all the scientists and the government helping with the problem.

It is so easy to look at the world and get discouraged. Stories like these keep me hopeful. We can make a difference.

A gentle reminder that I am now writing more regularly because I’ve committed to doing so by turning on Paid Subscriptions. Read about it here in this post: A Special Message. Most of my writing will remain free. Pay only if you wish to and are able to. The cost is $5/month, $50/year, $100 Founding Member, bonus is ability to post and other content. Think of it as tipping for a busker. Thanks to all who have paid already!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_condor

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sespe_Condor_Sanctuary

https://peregrinefund.org

https://peregrinefund.org/condor-crisis

https://apnews.com/article/california-condors-vaccine-avian-influenza-65e27a0751666eee0e3ab3b82ae18251

https://www.fws.gov/story/2023-11/california-condor-hpai-response-update-november-3-2023

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/SA_By_Date/SA-2023/ca-condor-hpai