Lead condor biologist killed by tree, he was 35

[Donna]

The lead condor biologist for the Ventana Wildlife Society was killed by a falling tree in Big Sur on Wednesday while working on the condor recovery project.

Michael Tyner, 35, was hit by a tree just before 3 p.m. and died instantly, said a news release from the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, Coroner’s Unit. His death was caused by blunt force injuries the coroner said.

“He was a valuable asset to our organization with his passion and perseverance and his dedication to the safety and well being of those birds – that was his number one goal, the safety of those birds,� said Cathy Hamilton, executive assistant for the society.

Tyner, who was single, was working with four young birds on a “soft release,� where the birds leave on their own, when the accident occurred, she said.

The winds had picked up and Tyner and others had decided to hunker down when the accident occurred, she said.

thecalifornian.com

How awful is that? So young.

[Annette]

Very very sad story. 

[MAK]