RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) wildlife veterinarian has given further insight into the recent increase in reports of dead black vultures throughout the Commonwealth, which are due to bird flu.

Following the announcement by DWR on Monday, Oct. 20, that it had recently received reports of groups of dead black vultures across the state tied to avian influenza, or bird flu, 8News spoke with DWR wildlife veterinarian John Tracey on Thursday, Oct. 24, to learn more.

Black vultures are scavengers that serve an important role in the ecosystem. They help keep the ecosystem free of the bodies of dead animals, breaking down those organic materials and recycling them back into the ecosystem as nutrients.

Although vultures have a few conflicts with humans

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