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Zoos Tracking West Nile Virus

By John Nielsen
Published October 2, 2002 at 12:00 AM EDT

It has killed more than 100 Americans so far -- and the West Nile virus is taking a similar toll at U.S. zoos. Many exotic animals are on the casualty list, and experts fear the mosquito-borne illness will strike a species already in danger of extinction. For Morning Edition, NPR's John Nielsen visits Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo to find out more.

Copyright 2002 NPR
John Nielsen
John Nielsen covers environmental issues for NPR. His reports air regularly on NPR's award-winning news magazines, All Things Considered, Morning Edition and Weekend Edition. He also prepares documentaries for the NPR/National Geographic Radio Expeditions series, which is heard regularly on Morning Edition. Nielsen also occasionally serves as the substitute host for several NPR News programs.
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