Vultures near Conowingo Dam could die of bird flu

HARFORD COUNTY, Md. — A recent spike in the number of dead vultures near the Conowingo Dam may be caused by bird flu, prompting authorities to temporarily close part of a park trail and a parking area.

Constellation Energy, which owns the property, announced it was closing part of the Wildflower Trail at Fisherman’s Park in Harford County to help stop the spread of the virus. Similar temporary trail closures were made last year, Constellation said.

Black vulture carcasses were picked up in March by state agents near the Fisherman’s Park entrance, primarily near the first ranger cabin and also near the Wildflower Trail trailhead. No dead birds were found near the Conowingo fishing wharf or dam.

Federal and state agencies are working together to manage the increase in black vulture deaths at Conowingo Dam by breaking “the cycle of re-infection that occurs with the cannibalistic nature of the birds,” the Department of Health spokeswoman said. Agriculture of Maryland, Jessica Hackett.

Carcasses collected in March were tested by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and found to be potentially carriers of H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI).

The birds were sent to a national laboratory for further testing. Constellation said it is working with state and federal agencies to help protect the public and wild birds in Fisherman’s Park.

Anyone who sees a sick or dead bird there is asked to report it to site security or the USDA [fsa.usda.gov].