California Condor

1. California Condor

2. Basic Info Scientific Name: Gymnogyps Californianus Body: 3.5 to 4.5 feet Wingspan: 9 to 10 ft. Weight: 18 to 31 lbs. Average Lifespan: up to 60 years Diet: Carnivore/ Scavenger consisting of medium and large-sized dead mammals like cattle, sheep, deer, and horses in any state of decay thus being located at the top of the food web. Reproduction: Mature and reproduce slowly with the females only laying one egg every year and the Condor not reaching sexual maturity until between the ages of 6 to 8.

4. Where are they Located? • In the early 1800s they occupied mountains along the Pacific coast from British Columbia to northern Baja California. • In the mid-twentieth century, the population dropped to a small population in south- central California. • They have been reintroduced to the coastal mountains of south-central California and the Grand Canyon area of northern Arizona

6. Biome

7. What put them at risk? Factors contributing to the decline include poisoning, chemical pollution, environmentally harmful agricultural techniques, loss of habitat and loss of food resources, as well as a historical problem of hunting and scientific over-collection.

8. Humans are to blame Specific Examples • DDT causes the shell of the California Condor’s eggs to become brittle, thus lowering the reproduction rate of a species that already reproduces slowly. • Lead inside carcasses from the bullets of hunters are digested and accumulated to high enough quantities to be fatal. • Farmers began to bury animal carcasses limiting the California Condor’s food. • Farmers would inject strychnine into dead cattle to kill wolves and coyotes in turn killing the California Condor. • Hunted for trophy purposes. • 288 of the California Condor’s skin can be found in museums. • 1960s study showed that three California Condor’s were being shot illegally per year.

9. Rescue and Recovery the past • The California Condor has been protected since 1953 and listed as an Endangered species 1971. • By 1986 the wild population had dropped to five reaming birds and one egg that had paper- like skin due to the likely effects of DDT. • In a few months two of the reaming wild birds had died and the other three were taken into captivity. • A number of conservation groups were against the captivity and believed the bird should be allowed to ‘die with dignity.’ • One group, The Audubon Society, sued against the captivity and the Chumash Indians wished the bird to be released on the Santa Cruz Island for religious purposes. • Political debate ignited with the remaining California Condor’s being sent to captivity with the other twenty-four remaining birds. • Main method of catching was rocket propelled nets at meat baits.

10. Rescue and Recovery The Present • Captive breeding in zoos is presently the only realistic option in raising the California Condor. • After their breeding cycle, attempts are made to reintroduce the bird to the wild. • Some zoos such as , the San Diego Zoo, use condor shape puppets in order to prevent the chicks into believing they are condors not humans. • The releasing process has not been particularly successful due to their grazing lands being thoroughly diminished thus not allowing enough food to create a self-sustaining population of California Condors. • Breed quite freely in captivity but releasing them into the wild has not been successful due to human activities and failed breeding programs.

11. Why We should care • Help speed up the decomposition of carcasses that provide plants with nutrients. • Allows for the safe removal of decomposing and diseased animals, protecting human and animal co-habitants from ill effect. • A healthy population of California Condors can have an important impact on removing diseased and rotting carcasses form the area. • Morally correct

12. Ways to Help Protect • Join an organization that is dedicated to saving the species. • Conserve the remaining habitats by creating nature reserves. • Avoid using harmful chemicals in agricultural practices.