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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2023

Brookings, Oregon

Sampled California condors test positive for bird flu

MOLLY ROSBACH Pilot Guest Article

population left in the world. The OSU laboratory detected HPAI in samples from 11 dead condors from the Arizona population. Seven of those have been confirmed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Ve t e r i n a r y Services Laboratory, and OSU lab supervisors are awaiting final confirmation on the last four samples OSU tested. The same virulent H5N1 strain of avian influenza has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40 million egg-laying hens in the U.S since the current outbreak began in January 2022, with the losses also contributing to rising egg prices. The virus, which has no cure, is spread via birdto-bird contact and also

At least seven deceased California condors from a northern Arizona population were infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza this spring, the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Oregon State University has found. As of April 17, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reported a total of 20 deceased condors in the Arizona flock, with 10 confirmed positive for HPAI, including those tested at OSU. OSU is currently testing additional deceased condor samples for HPAI. The deceased birds to date represent nearly 4% of the condor

Courtesy photo from OSU As of April 17, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reported a total of 20 deceased condors in the Arizona flock, with 10 confirmed positive for HPAI, including those tested at OSU. affects many mammals. There are only about 500 California condors in the world, so a highly pathogenic, highly

contagious disease hitting the species is alarming, said Kurt Williams, director of the diagnostic laboratory housed in OSU’s Carlson

College of Veterinary Medicine. Due to many human factors including poisoning, shooting, habitat degradation and the collection of eggs and feathers, California condors nearly went extinct in the 1980s, with a population low of 22 birds. Conservation and breeding programs have helped increase their numbers, but the birds are still at high risk, especially from lead poisoning caused by eating carcasses full of bullet fragments left by hunters. “Their numbers are low enough that any individual leaving the population prematurely is an important event for the species,” Williams said. “This is a species that has made

a remarkable recovery through conservation, and now to have this disease hit is pretty devastating.” The 20 dead condors this spring were part of a population that spans several national parks in northern Arizona and southern Utah, with the first deceased female in the flock collected on March 20, according to the Fish and Wildlife Service. The carcasses were all sent to the National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Lab in Ashland, Ore., for necropsies to determine cause of death. Spleen samples from the birds were then sent to the diagnostic laboratory at OSU, where technicians See FLU, Page 11

The importance of Bees

What the buzz is about

Bees flock to clearcut areas and thrive in open conditions STEVE LUNDEBERG Pilot Guest Article Native bees in the Oregon Coast Range are diverse and abundant in clearcut areas within a few years of timber harvest. However, the numbers of native bees drop sharply as planted trees grow and the forest canopy closes, according to a new study by Courtesy photo from OSU Oregon State University (OSU) In the spring and summer of 2018 and 2019, the scientists looked at native bee communities in 60 researchers. The findings are important Douglas-fir stands of varying ages across a time frame representative of a typical 40-year harvest for understanding the roles rotation.

forest management might play in the conservation of a crucial pollinator group, the researchers said. The study, led by graduate student Rachel Zitomer and Jim Rivers, an animal ecologist in the OSU College of Forestry, was published in Ecological Applications. “The research demonstrates that Douglas-fir plantations develop diverse communities of wild See BEES, Page 11

Church faces abatement order JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.

St. T i m o t h y ’s Episcopal Church, 401 Fir Street in Brookings is facing a city order for violating code and land use laws. The City of Brookings has issued a notice of abatement to St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church for being out of compliance with the municipal code and land use laws, including the benevolent meal services ordinance adopted by the City Council in October of 2021 and a variety of other social services, including an outreach clinic, a day program and an advocacy program. “City officials have made every effort to work with St. Timothy’s

to ensure they comply with the City’s municipal code,” City of Brookings Public Works Director Tony Baron said. “Unfortunately, St. Timothy’s continues to choose not to comply with multiple parts of the City’s code. Despite our best efforts, significant public safety problems remain at and surrounding St. Timothy’s, including impacts on neighbors, countless police calls, vandalism, property damage and other serious public safety concerns.” History

In October 2021, the Brookings City Council passed an ordinance that allowed benevolent meal services to be provided

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in residential zones through a conditional use permit. Prior to this ordinance, benevolent meal services were not allowed in residential zones at all, although they are allowed in other zones of the city. “The City Council worked tirelessly with five other providers of benevolent meal services to create the ordinance and ensure this critical service is available to the community,” a release from Baron states. All other providers have complied with the ordinance, except St. Timothy’s., according to the release. St. Timothy’s continues to violate the ordinance. “Additionally, St. Timothy’s has received hundreds of thousands

of dollars in grants and funding in order to provide and added many social services to the point it is essentially a social service agency now, which is not permitted within residential areas, and which is causing serious public safety problems,” the release states. “It would be unfair and unjust to the City and its residents if the City’s code were only selectively enforced which is why a Notice of Abatement was issued to St. Timothy’s.” The Pilot was unable to reach St. Timothy representatives by press time for a response.

Follow this developing story at currypilot.com Country Media, Inc. and inn the print editions A volunteer prepares a meal at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church. of The Pilot.

Phone Number: 541-813-1717 • Address: 519 Chetco Ave, Ste 7, Brookings, 97415 • Email: Circulation@CountryMedia.net

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