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California Condors ranged along the Pacific coast from British Columbia to Baja California, Mexico. Reference
Historic Range of the California Condor, circa 1800. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2025, from https://databasin.org/datasets/43c1a619b67e4bcf997d3cb7168b6fa9/ -
The California Condor's range was reduced to the mountains and foothills of Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley. Reference
Historic Range of the California Condor, circa 1800. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2025, from https://databasin.org/datasets/43c1a619b67e4bcf997d3cb7168b6fa9/ Image source: https://digitalcollections.sjlibrary.org/digital/collection/arbuckle/id/1288/rec/1 -
The National Audubon Society sponsored Carl Koford's research on the condor's declining population. The Audubon pressured the U.S. Forest Service to establish condor sanctuaries in California. The Audubon played a large role in pushing for greater federal protections. Reference
Iconic bird is a great symbol of conservation out West. (2015, July 2). Audubon California. https://ca.audubon.org/conservation/history-audubon-and-condor -
The California Condor was one of the first animals to be protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Reference
Iconic bird is a great symbol of conservation out West. (2015, July 2). Audubon California. https://ca.audubon.org/conservation/history-audubon-and-condor -
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service launched the California Condor Recovery Program. The program's goals included monitoring the condor population, breeding, feeding, and causes of death. Most importantly, the recovery program established a captive breeding program. Reference
Iconic bird is a great symbol of conservation out West. (2015, July 2). Audubon California. https://ca.audubon.org/conservation/history-audubon-and-condor -
Condor populations dropped to only 22 birds left in the wild, the lowest ever recorded population. Reference
California Condor - Redwood National and State Parks (U.S. National Park Service). (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2025, from https://www.nps.gov/redw/learn/nature/condors.htm -
All remaining wild condors were placed into two captive breeding programs to save the California condor from extinction. Reference
California Condor. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2025, from https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Birds/California-Condor -
Four breeding centers are established in California, Idaho, and Oregon. Captive-bred condors are released in central California, southern California, Arizona, and Baja, Mexico. Captive breeding was proven effective, and nearly 20 chicks hatched each year across all four breeding centers. Reference
California Condor. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2025, from https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Birds/California-Condor -
A condor pair was found nesting in a Coast Redwood tree in Big Sur. This is the first occurrence of free-flying condors nesting in the wild in over 100 years. Reference
California Condor. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2025, from https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Birds/California-Condor -
Lead ammunition causes lead poisoning in wild condors as the lead leeches into the carcasses they feed on. The Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act was signed in 2007 to restrict the use of lead ammunition within the condor's range. The California Fish and Game Commission implemented the law the next year. Reference
California Condor. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2025, from https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Birds/California-Condor -
The population reached 561 total condors, with 347 in the wild and 214 in captivity. Reference
California Condor Recovery Program. (n.d.). Fws.gov. Retrieved February 19, 2025, from https://www.fws.gov/program/california-condor-recovery