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In December 2024, the Pinnacles National Park Condor Reestablishment Program released its 2023 annual report outlining the status of the Central California flock, which the park manages in partnership with the Ventana Wildlife Society (VWS).
Alacia Welch, the Condor Program Manager at Pinnacles (PINN), told BenitoLink that during 2024 the flock continued to thrive and currently stands at 112 individuals.
“We released six juvenile condors at PINN and Ventana Wildlife Society (VWS) released another six from their site near San Simeon.”
According to Welch:
- The Central CA flock of condors had a record-breaking year for nesting with nine fledglings. Three of those were from nests within Pinnacles National Park.
- In the PINN flock, there were only had two deaths, and both were recently released juveniles that appear to have been taken out by predators, which may include bobcats, mountain lions, and coyotes.
- PINN continue to work with VWS and their partners at zoos to vaccinate the central CA flock of condors against highly pathogenic avian influenza.
California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) are the largest land birds in North America. Their wingspans are about 9.5 feet and they can weigh up to 20 pounds. Though their exact lifespan is unknown, it is estimated they live more than 60 years.
As “obligate scavengers,” they feed on everything from ground squirrels to beached whales. Condors require vast territories that provide ample food and shelter. They are capable of flying more than 200 miles in a day, using their massive wings to glide the long distances with minimal effort.
Ideal habitat for condors include wide expanses of undeveloped land, large trees for roosting, and rocky cliffs or tree cavities for nesting.
According to PINN, the California condor once roamed a vast range, from British Columbia to Baja California. However, this range significantly decreased as European settlers moved westward. Factors contributing to their decline included poisoning, shooting, habitat degradation and the collection of eggs and feathers.
By the late 1800s, naturalists had already noted a rapid decline. In 1967, The condors received federal protection a one of the first animals to be listed on the endangered species list in 1967 under the Endangered Species Protection Act passed the year earlier. In 1973 the Endangered Species Act gave them full protection.
The population, however, continued to drop, reaching a low of 22 individuals in the 1980s. To prevent extinction, remaining wild condors were captured and placed in captive breeding programs.
The findings in the 2023 report included the following:
Mortality: In 2023, four PINN-managed condors died—three free-flying condors and one nestling. These deaths bring the total loss of PINN-managed condors to 60 birds. All four deaths occurred in the wild; three were free-flying condors whose remains were retrieved and submitted to the National Fish and Wildlife Forensic Lab for necropsies and the fourth was a chick that died in the nest before fledging and was not recovered.
Lead toxicosis was the cause of death for two of the condors and the third died from trauma related to entrapment in a landslide.
According to PINNS in 2024, two deaths occurred—both were recently released juveniles that appear to have been taken by an unknown predator.
Causes for Mortality: The leading cause of death continues to be lead contamination of food sources on the landscape. Condors use public and private lands across hundreds of square miles for foraging, roosting and nesting. Addressing the lead risk at a landscape level is essential and requires targeted and effective messaging and collaboration.
Of the 150 Central California birds who died between 2001-2023, 57 succumbed to lead toxicosis, 12 died in the Dolan Fire of 2020, nine birds are listed as having died by electrocution. According to VWS most of the lead comes from bullets used to kill the animals the condors feed on.
Vaccinations: Captured condors receive West Nile Virus (WNV) vaccinations and boosters on a schedule provided by veterinarians.
Beginning in 2023, the USFWS and USDA approved the administration of Avian Influenza Vaccine, HPAI H5N1 inactivated virus for condors. All pre-release juvenile condors for U.S. release sites are given the vaccine prior to release into the wild. Organizations approved to administer the vaccine are also allowed to vaccinate any condors that come into their facilities for care.
In 2023 18 birds from the Southwestern flock died of H5N1 and it remains of high concern for the species recovery.
Population Monitoring: Condors are monitored year-round to document reproduction, mortality and movements. Condor health, foraging, flock interactions and breeding behavior are recorded through visual observations. Biologists use various to monitor condor including : radio telemetry, GPS units and remote cameras
Trapping: Pinnacles biologists capture condors to measure blood lead levels, replace transmitters and collect blood and feather samples for ongoing research. Data related to each condor handling is recorded in a Microsoft Access database and in CACO Central. {CACO-California condor}
Personal protective equipment during handling includes eye protection, long-sleeved shirts and pants, closed-toe boots and leather gloves.
The following biosecurity measures are followed when Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza—HPAI and H5N1—is a concern.
- Wearing coveralls or bringing a separate set of clothes to change into immediately after handling condors or entering areas condors frequent.
- Wearing an N95 mask (if indoors), eye protection and leather gloves when holding condors.
- Wearing an N95 mask (if indoors), eye protection and nitrile or latex gloves when drawing blood, replacing transmitters, or otherwise touching condors.
Nest Monitoring and Reproduction: Biologists monitor active nest sites from observation points located 300-800 meters away depending on topography. They look for egg incubation, hatching, nestling health, behavioral interactions, adult-nestling feeding events and fledging of young. Where feasible, PINN staff enter active nests for nestling health checks, conducted at 45-60 and 120 days of age.
Baiting: Biologists primarily use calf carcasses acquired from organic dairies as food for captive and free-flying condors. Carcasses are placed approximately twice per week at one or two established bait stations in the park. During trapping seasons, carcasses are placed exclusively in the trap with the goal of increasing trap success.
Captive Condos: Condors are held at PINN’s captive pen as needed for flock management. Reasons for captivity include acclimating captive-reared condors to the area prior to release, holding captured condors until they can be handled to replace transmitters and undergo health checks, observing condors with health concerns, or holding individuals who act as mentors to new birds.
Biologists closely monitor condor health and interactions while in captivity. Power poles outfitted with wire laid along the cross beams to deliver mild electric shocks are located inside and outside the pen to discourage condors from landing on power poles when in the wild.
Along with the Central California population there are four other population sites. Southern California, Baja California, Northern California (range not yet established) and Arizona/Utah. The population, as of March 7, includes 565 condors in total, with 368 living in the wild and 197 held in captivity.
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