On Sept. 25, up to two California condors could be released into
the wild at Pinnacles National Monument, according to the park.
On Sept. 25, up to two California condors could be released into the wild at Pinnacles National Monument, according to the park.
The public is invited to attend Condor Comeback 2010, a condor release celebration, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the park Visitor Center near the campground on the east side of the park, accessible from Highway 25.
This is the seventh release of the endangered birds at Pinnacles. Ultimately, project biologists anticipate building a sustainable population of up to 30 condors at Pinnacles, a historic condor nesting area, over the next several years, according to a statement from the park. The reintroduction of California condors to Pinnacles is a cooperative effort between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Ventana Wildlife Society, and Pinnacles Partnership in collaboration with the California Condor Recovery Team.
A live, remote video feed from the condor facility to the Visitor Center will display the young condors in the pen and the first flight of any released birds. In addition, the event will have speakers, informational and educational booths staffed by rangers and park partners, and an activity booth for children to draw and display their “condor wishes,” according to a statement from Pinnacles.
Car pooling is encouraged since parking is limited, and is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Though the event is not being held in the previously used viewing area, spotting scopes, binoculars, water, layered clothing, and comfortable hiking shoes are recommended for viewing wild condors in the park.
