A hundred years have passed since the California condor nested
in the high peaks of Pinnacles National Monument, but the National
Park Service is hoping to change that as early as this fall.
A hundred years have passed since the California condor nested in the high peaks of Pinnacles National Monument, but the National Park Service is hoping to change that as early as this fall.
The reintroduction of condors at the Pinnacles is part of a larger recovery program by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to save the critically endangered species.
Condor biologist Rebecca Leonard has been working on the plan since last July, but the project has been in the development stages for three years. The plan is to release at least 18 condors in groups of six during the next three years.
“This fall would be the earliest we would release the first group of birds,” Leonard said.
The next group of birds would be released the following year, and so forth, depending on the birds’ mortality rate, she said.
“If all the birds are lost for some reason, we may go ahead and release the others sooner,” Leonard said.
Pinnacles National Monument is hosting two open houses this month to provide an opportunity for neighboring landowners to find out more about the plan to reintroduce the condor.
“This is a chance for them to talk to us and find out what we hope to accomplish,” Leonard said.
As many as 30 birds could be released into the wild, she said, but at this point 18 might be enough. “It will depend on the funding,” Leonard said.
Before release, every condor is tagged with a radio transmitter on both wings or its tail, or a combination of all three. Each of the transmitters has a unique signal that’s used to track the birds’ location.
“If we’re not getting movement from the bird or the signal comes from the same spot for four days straight, he’s probably sick or injured and may need medical attention,” Leonard said. “By monitoring the birds, we can get to them if we needed to.”
Though the condors will benefit farmers and ranchers by eating dead carcasses, there is a concern that government biologists will be trespassing on private land.
“If we have a bird on private property we will not be able to go onto the property without the landowner’s permission,” Leonard said.
The first open house is scheduled for Friday, March 28 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Chaparral Picnic Area on the monument’s west side. A second open house is set for Saturday, March 29 from 10 a.m. to noon at the amphitheater in the Pinnacles Campground. For more information, call (831) 389-4485.
