Poe Would be Proud

The rapid spread of bird flu that is currently nearing Europe (it has reached France) has done what bombings and blizzards have not been able to do in 350 years: the famous ravens of the Tower of London are being sequestered inside for their own safety.

Not only are they in seclusion, they are only visited by hazmat-suited humans careful to protect them from any outside pathogen:

Four times a day, Coyle dons a full-body bio-suit, steps carefully into a disinfectant foot wash, and brings food and comforting words to Branwen, Hugine, Munin, Gwyllum, Thor and Baldrick in the Brick Tower, "one of the castle's roomier" spaces. He said the suit is for the ravens' protection. Given the speed at which the flu seems to be spreading around the globe, Coyle said, one can't be too careful. (Toronto Star)

The reason for all this? The legend that says that if the six ravens ever leave or if they all die, then the kingdom of England will fail.