Florida wildlife officials investigate 101 reported vulture deaths at state park

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating the reported deaths of dozens of vultures at Blue Spring State Park, an FWC spokesperson told News4JAX sister station WKMG in Orlando.

Both the FWC and Florida Department of Environmental Protection are addressing reports received throughout January of 17 sick and 101 dead vultures at the Volusia County state park, the spokesperson said in a statement.

Samples have been collected and submitted to the Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in Kissimmee for testing, the statement reads.

This comes amid recent updates from the city of Orlando as reports of dead, wild birds were received from Lake Eola and Lake Davis parks, prompting advocates to petition local leaders for cleaner lakes. Avian flu was linked to the bird deaths reported at both of those locations.

FWC encouraged any further reporting of dead-bird sightings with its Avian Mortality Reporting App.