What it is and why it is important!
The California condor (Gymnogyps
Californianus) has likely been at risk of extinction for the past few
centuries. The California Condor is among the largest remaining bird species
and has the largest wingspan of any North American land bird. When
in flight their wingspan is more than 9 feet and they can weigh over
20 pounds. Its closest remaining relative is the Adean condor of
South America which is even larger and also endangered. Condors reach
adulthood around 6 years old and live for >40 years; their
lifespan is much longer than most bird species. The condors unique
proportions allows it to soar and glide for hours without beating
it's wings. They serve a very important ecosystem function as they
feed on carrion (dead animals) which not only cycles nutrients, but
also prevents the development of pathogens that may otherwise weaken
an ecosystem. Over a thousand years ago the California Condor
flourished across North America in other pacific states such as
Texas, Florida, New York, as well as in remote parts of British
Columbia, Canada and Baja California, Mexico. As settlers began to
colonize these regions the Condors were eliminated by hunting for it's feathers and
eggs, as well as losing food supply of large animals which were also
excessively hunted. In the mid 1900s the remaining individuals were
limited to the mountains of Southern California. They have been
protected federally since 1967 and California State law since 1971
(both pre-endangered species act of 1973).
In the 70s biologists discovered only a
few dozen remaining Condors, as little progress had been made by the
1980s the state began capturing all remaining condors to be captive
bred in zoos. The captive breeding of the 27 birds which were
believed to be the remaining world population of the species was
conducted in a way that maximized genetic diversity. Since 1992 they
have been increasingly releasing captive bred Condors and have more
recently expanded the re-population to regions in Arizona. In 2006
biologists documented the first nesting in northern California of
Condors in over 100 years. The restoration efforts of the California
Condor have carried their current wild population to 219 in 2013
(including California, Arizona, and Baja California). Though the
experimental population is considered non-essential which means not necessary for subsistence, it is still recognized as endangered as
the populations are not great enough to survive temporal
environmental stresses.
Historic range provided by the University of Arizona
Historic range provided by the University of Arizona
The biggest threat remaining to the
California Condor are environmental pollutants such as pesticides and
heavy metals. In the past DDT was believed to have stunted
reproduction, but now the focus is on heavy metals which accumulate
such as mercury and lead. As lead contamination has been identified
as a major threat to species recovery, the California Fish and Game
Commission has instituted non-lead zones for hunting within the range
of the California Condor in 2007. Human activities are clearly the
main driver for their extinction with other disruptions such as
moralities from poaching and anthropogenic structures such as wires and windmills.
Like most species with a very small habitat range, climate change
will put stresses on Condors due to declining availability of food.
Here is a video of some who have been spotted in Utah
What you can do!
What you can do!
Stop lead pollution through initiatives
which ban it's use for ammunition and it's emission through fossil
fuels such as diesel.. Support the senate bill 374 to ban lead use in ammunition manufacturing, or adopt a state policy like
California's new A.B. 711 with the same restriction. California has regulations which require fuel additives that
dramatically reduce lead and particulate matter emissions from diesel
trucks. Another important step to conserving the Condor is reducing
your emissions of greenhouse gases by conserving energy consumption
for transportation, heating, and appliances. Additionally you can
support the conservation efforts by donating to-
References
