The california condor is one of the rarest birds in North America. In 1987 they became extinct in the wild. Due to the efforts of many people and zoos a breeding program was instituted. Now there are around 400 California condors in the world and half are in the wild. That doesn't sound like many but it's a far cry better than the 22 that were left in 1982!
As of April 2013 there were 73 Condors in Arizona and Utah. Many live in the Grand Canyon.
When we visited the Grand Canyon in July were were lucky enough to see three Condors there. They were number 23, 80 and 16. You can look them up on the condor chart below. The charts tells you if they bred using a puppet (a condor like puppet so that they imprint on condors not the keepers) how old, when they were reintroduced in the wild and their sex.
Condor tag chart
8 comments:
Glad to know they have survived.
This brings back memories! I remember their survival was a very big deal when I was growing up.
I grew up in Santa Ynez, California and remember well when they reintroduced the Condors into the San Rafael Wilderness not far from the valley. They are so magnificent in flight.
Amazing photos and great information!
Great photos!
I was born in an area of California that was instrumental in the condor comeback. they were raised in a local facility to re-introduce into the wild. They seem to have taken hold in other states now, since they need open spaces to hunt and live. California doesn't seem to have these open spaces any more. I am so glad to see that they are thriving now!!!
Thank you for sharing, I'm so glad the condors are thriving.
Cheers!
Lori in Atlanta
Lovely to read about the success of the condor breeding programs. Gives us hope for the ospreys that are beginning to make a comeback in Wales. (You can read about them here if you're interested: http://dyfiospreyproject.com/history-of-british-ospreys/welsh-ospreys)
And you did very well to get such good photos, Crystal - thank you for sharing :)
Post a Comment