A Brief History of the California Condor

On April 19, 1987, the last wild California condor was taken into captivity. Leading up to this event was a series of controversial arguments regarding the fate of this bird. The controversy centered around two rival groups of environmentalists, one advocating a hands-off approach to the condor's survival, the other arguing for a hands-on effort to save the species.

The California condor is a remnant of the Late Pleistocene mega fauna. John Nielson (2006) compared the California condor in the wild to the idea of saber-toothed cats or giant mastodons surviving in the wild today. When the megafauna on which the California condor fed died out, the condors' range shrank considerably (California condor on the Colorado Plateau, n.d.). Historically, the California condor's range encompassed "from British Columbia south to northern Baja California and in other parts of the southwestern (Peregrine Fund, n.d.)." By the nineteen fifties, California condors were found only in parts of southern California.

The California condor was added to the federal endangered species list on March 11, 1967. By 1982, only 21 free-flying California condors remained (California condor on the Colorado Plateau, n.d.). Causes of the California condor's decline were uncertain. As scientists increased their knowledge of the birds, several threats emerged. Habitat loss, loss of prey animals, the use of poison by ranchers to kill pest animals that the California condor also eat, and eating lead shot in prey animals were all identified as dangers facing the wild California condor (Nielsen, 2006).

As the California condor declined, two very different perspectives on the best way to save the bird emerged. The hand-off camp argued for the continued study of the bird in the wild. They believed it was crucial to protect the birds' habitat. They also believed that it was crucial to leave the birds free, as captive birds would not retain their wildness or condor culture (Nielson, 1987). Another fear expressed by the hands off group was that the birds' habitat might lose the protection of the endangered species act if it was no longer actively a habitat for the California condor (Nielson, 2006).

In contrast, the hands-on group believed that the threat to California condors was so great that the only way to save them was by starting a captive breeding program in zoos. The hands on group's methods also included tagging the birds, using tracking devices to monitor them, and visiting their nests. The hands on group believed that the only way that the California condor could thrive was by being forced to thrive through the intervention of scientists, conservationists, and eventually geneticists (Nielson, 1987).

The two groups challenged each other in the press and in court for many years. Environmental groups such as the Audubon Society and the Friends of the Earth changed sides over the years, as perspectives shifted and the California condor's situation continued to become more imperiled. By the mid-1980s, the number of wild California condors was in the twenties. Most of the California condors in the wild were male, while most of the birds in captivity were female. Of the birds left in the wild, there was only one breeding pair (Nielson, 2006).

The situation had become extreme enough that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced they would capture all of the remaining wild birds. What precipitated the decision was the fact that from 1984 to 1985, one California condor died and five others disappeared, leaving the wild population at only six birds.

The last free flying California condor, known as AC9, was captured on April 19, 1987 (Behrens, J. & Brooks, J., 2000). When AC9 was captured, no captive California condor had ever bred or laid an egg in captivity. Fish and Wildlife Service was gambling on being able to get the condors to clutch in zoos. If they had been wrong, they would be left knowing that they had made the decision that removed the California condor from the wild forever.

Luckily, the zoos holding the California condors were able to breed them in captivity (Defenders of wildlife). With the help of the newly emerging field of conservation genetics, scientists were able to determine that they had a fairly diverse group of California condors in captivity. This was especially lucky considering the small numbers of the population. (Condor) From 1987 to 1992, the entire population of California condors was held at the San DiegoWildlifePark and the Los Angeles Zoo (Defenders of Wildlife).

By 1992, the captive population of California condors was considered stable enough to attempt a release. Two condors were released into the Sespe Condor Sanctuary in Ventura County, California (Defenders of Wildlife, n.d.). More birds were released as biologists deemed them ready. However, the releases were beset with problems. One bird died after ingesting antifreeze. Some were shot by hunters. Others formed rowdy packs, approaching humans and buildings. Other birds had to be recaptured due to their desire to land on dangerous power lines. Several birds were recaptured after their lead levels reached dangerous highs. The rearing protocols of the programs were altered to include aversion therapy and better disguises for the humans rearing the chicks. Another technique implemented was the release of a wild bred condor, AC8, in the hopes she could serve as a mentor to the young captive bred condors (Kaplan, M., 2002).

As of December 2005, there were 127 California condors in the wild and 146 in captivity (Peregrine Fund, n.d.). This is an amazing recovery for a species that was as low as twenty-one individuals only twenty years ago. However, the California condor population is still not self sustaining in the wild. Chicks have been hatched in the wild as early as 2002. However, to date, only five wild-hatched chicks have survived to fledge (Peregrine Fund). The wild population is still being supplemented by releases of captive bred birds. The birds are still threatened by habitat loss, lead in carcasses they feed on, and hunters (poachers & accidental killing). While it seems certain that the decision to capture all wild birds in 1987 was successful in keeping the California condor from extinction, it still remains to be seen if the species can become self sustaining again.

References

Adams, N. & Jaffe, I. (1993, November 26). Field Biologists Struggle to Save California condor. All Things Considered [Radio broadcast]. Washington, D.C.: National Public Radio.

Audobon WatchList - California Condor. (n.d.). Retrieved April 11, 2006 from http://audobon2.org/webapp/watchlist/viewSpecies.jsp?id=56

Behrens, J. & Brooks, J. (2000). Wind in Their Wings: The Condor Recovery Program. Endangered Species Bulletin, XXV (3), 8 - 9.

California Condor (Endangered Species), Wildlife Species Information: U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. (n.d.). Retrieved April 11, 2006 from http://www.fws.gov/species/species_accounts/bio_cond.html

California Condor on the Colorado Plateau. (n.d.). Retrieved April 11, 2006 from http://www.cpluhna.nau.edu/Biota/california_condor.htm

Defenders of Wildlife - California Condor. (n.d.). Retrieved April 11, 2006 from http://www.defenders.org/wildlife/birds/calcondor.html

Gross, T. (1998, June 17). Field Vultures. Fresh Air [Radio broadcast]. Philadelphia, PA.: National Public Radio.

Hansen, L. & Ydstie, J. (2002, April 16). Interview: Mike Wallace discusses the birth of a California condor. All Things Considered [Radio broadcast]. Washington, D.C.: National Public Radio.

Hedron, J. (2000). Return to the Wild. Endangered Species Bulletin, XXV (3), 8 - 9.

Kaplan, M. (November 5, 2002). Plight of the Condor. New Scientist, 3.

Lyden, J. (2003, August). Profile: Biologists hoping for two California condor chicks to fledge in Grand Canyon this fall.. Weekend Edition [Radio broadcast]. Washington, D.C.: National Public Radio.

Murphy, J. & Woodbury, R. (December 30, 1985). Last Days of the Condor? North America's biggest land bird is in trouble. Time.

Nielson, J. (March 23, 1987). Last Chance for the Condor: With only one of the species left in the wild, a remarkable bird struggles for survival. Sports Illustrated.

Nielsen, J. (2006). Condor: To the Brink and Back - The Life and Times of One Giant Bird. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

Peregrine Fund. (n.d.). Retrieved April 11, 2006 from http://www.peregrinefund.org

Siegel, R. & Block, M. (2006, February 3). Saving the California condor. All Things Considered [Radio broadcast]. Washington, D.C.: National Public Radio.