Utah Officials Work To Prevent More Eagle Deaths
KAYSVILLE, UTAH (AP) - Officials in Davis County are spraying for mosquitoes with the hope it will prevent a recurrence of last year's bald eagle deaths.
Wildlife officials say more than 80 bald eagles died in Utah last year after scavenging on dead grebes that had contracted the West Nile virus.
West Nile virus, which is spread by mosquitoes, usually infects birds during warmer months.
Gary Hatch, director of the Davis County Mosquito Abatement District, says county workers started spraying in May and have treated thousands of acres for adult mosquitoes and mosquito larvae.
Officials say they're hopeful because grebes have started migrating and there's no sign yet of dead birds.
The Standard-Examiner reports that four eagles afflicted with the virus are still alive but have neurological problems and cannot be released into the wild.