Hundreds of birds found dead, likely from avian flu, at Illinois lake

CHICAGO — Avian flu has likely killed hundreds of double-crested cormorants nesting at Baker’s Lake near Barrington.

Wildlife biologist Chris Anchor said this is the largest outbreak of disease in wild birds he’s seen in Cook County.

“I’ve never seen anything like this since I started working here 41 years ago,” said Anchor, of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County. “Chances are this is happening in other places, and we’re not aware of it because no one is looking.”