100 Endangered Condors Now Flying Wild In State (Calif)

[Kadie]

Oct 6, 2010 7:09 pm US/Pacific
100 Endangered Condors Now Flying Wild In State



PINNACLES NATIONAL MONUMENT, Calif. (AP) ― or the first time in half a century, 100 endangered California condors are flying free around the state that once was a domain of the species.

Biologists in Central California are celebrating the milestone announced Wednesday.

The 100-bird benchmark is the latest development in the slow recovery of the majestic birds.

Every fall, captive-bred, one-year-old condors are released into the wild at Pinnacles National Monument and Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge.

In 1982, the last 22 California condors were placed in a captive breeding program. Today, there are more than 380 in the world, in captivity and in the wild.

http://cbs13.com/local/california.condors.endangered.2.1950530.html

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California condor population hits 100
October 6, 2010 | 6:12 pm

The number of wild, free-flying condors in California has reached 100, the most in half a century.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announced the landmark Wednesday, crediting a captive breeding program started in Southern California in 1982, when there were only 22 wild condors in the state.

Young condors born in captivity are released into the wild every fall at Pinnacles National Monument in Central California and Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge on the southwest side of the San Joaquin Valley. The flock will get another bump over the next few months with the release of 11 juveniles.

The big birds are also reproducing on their own in the wild, adding 16 young to the California population since 2004.

The carrion-eating birds, known for their huge wingspan (9.5 feet) and memorable visage, soared from Mexico to Canada at the time of settlement. Their numbers plummeted with loss of habitat and the decline of the large mammal populations they fed on. More recently, lead poisoning from ammunition and the ingestion of bits of trash have taken a toll.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2010/10/california-condor-population-hits-100.html

[postulater]

1. Good news. I'd love to see one.

Thanks to those who worked hard on the project.

[HuckleB]

2. AWESOME! -eom-

[XOKCowboy]

3. California's wildlife and wild places actually being preserved. I like it...

We floated the Klamath River last year about this time fishing for steelhead. This magnificent river was once one of the major salmon/steelhead fisheries in north America. Where now it's famous for it's "half-pounders" (steelhead in the half pound range) it once was famous for steelhead over 40" long and salmon runs that would clog the river. No one complains though because just 10 years ago the steelhead and salmon were just about wiped out on the river. Now they're making a comeback and with a recent decision to dismantle several dams upstream the future looks bright again for the Klamath.

Floating the Klamath we saw bald eagles, egrets, herons, hawks. How cool it would be to see an actual condor in that setting. Thanks for posting.

[depakid]

4. Outstanding!