Things may be looking up for the endangered California condor thanks to a reintroduction program developed by Ventana Wilderness Society, a small nonprofit that works to perpetuate species native to central California.
Ventana has been working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Pinnacles National Monument to facilitate the condors' recovery.
Endangered for nearly 40 years, condors were removed from the wild in 1987 to reestablish the species through captive breeding. Condors are the largest North American land birds-their wingspan can exceed nine feet, and they weigh as much as 26 pounds. Since 1987, several birds have been released at Grand Canyon National Park and Vermilion Cliffs in Arizona. The Ventana/USFWS/ Pinnacles release effort currently focuses on Pinnacles National Monument in California.
"The recovery team's goal is to have 450 birds-300 in the wild, 150 in captivity," says Kelly Sorenson, Ventana's executive director. Half of the wild birds would be released in California, the other half in Arizona. Both sets would have 15 breeding pairs.
Ventana releases condors into the wild once a year. Birds have been released into Big Sur since 1997, and more recently six birds were released at Pinnacles, which offers cliffs for nesting and a reliable source of food.
Ventana monitors the birds' closely, tracking them by satellite and FM radio. Ventana often puts food out for the birds to help ensure a smooth transition to life in the wild. They are recaptured once or twice each year to make sure they are not suffering from lead poisoning, one of two mortality factors hindering their progress.
The birds sometimes ingest lead shot when feeding on carrion. Educating hunters on the threat lead poses and encouraging them to use unleaded ammunition is a critical part of the program's success.
Electrocution from power lines is another factor. Ventana discourages the birds from landing on power lines with a training protocol involving a fake power pole with a low-volt shock.
The organization is making progress but still has a long way to go. Currently, there are 215 condors, 126 in captivity and 89 in the wild-49 in Arizona and 40 in California. "We're only 25 percent there," Sorenson says.
Condors will be released at Pinnacles in October and for the next few years. For additional information, visit www.ventanaws.org or www.nps.gov/pinn.
-Jenell Talley
