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Seven Condors Released From Oregon Zoo

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Author Zara Prew, PhD Candidate in Ocean and Atmospheric Science

seven condors
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The Oregon Zoo has successfully reintroduced seven California condors into the wild. The seven condors were hatched and raised at the Oregon Zoo’s Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation before being released in San Simeon on the central Californian coast.

Releasing the Seven Condors

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The release of these seven condors is part of a broader initiative to recover the rapidly declining population of the largest land bird in North America. By the early 1980s, the California condor population had plummeted to a mere 22 individuals due to threats such as lead poisoning. However, thanks to conservation programs like those at the Oregon Zoo, the condor population has been able to slowly recover. Presently, the global population of California condors has reached around 500 individuals, most of which live in the wild.

Oregon Zoo’s Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation

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The Oregon Zoo’s Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation plays a crucial role in the condor recovery process. Located in rural Clackamas County, the facility’s remote location minimizes young condors’ exposure to humans, which enhances their chances of survival and reproduction once they are released. This center hatched over 108 condor chicks since 2003, with more than 73 successful reintroductions, including the seven condors we focus on in this article. These conservation initiatives have been supported by the Avangrid Foundation.

What Is A “Soft-Release”?

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The release strategy used with the seven condors at San Simeon is known as a “soft release”. This is when birds are allowed to exit their flight pens in their own time and are not forced out. This method has proven to be effective, with the recently released condors adapting well to their new environment, finding suitable roosting spots, and integrating with the free-flying condor population.

Conservation Is A Collaboration

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The recovery of the California condor is a result of the collaboration between various zoos and conservation organizations. Apart from the Oregon Zoo, other facilities like the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, the Los Angeles Zoo, and the Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey in Idaho contributed to breeding programs.

In Conclusion

seven condors
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The successful reintroduction of these seven condors emphasizes how important it is to not give up on endangered species. The growth of condor populations across California proves that successful reintroductions as a result of breeding programs are possible. Successes such as this provide a semblance of hope for other endangered species across our planet.

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