Condor+Period+4


 * Group Members:** Leslie Espenschied, Maggie Sinkler


 * How Will We Work Together:**

1. Where does your animal live, and what are its characteristics?
 * Research:**

Locate your animal’s habitat (Where does it live? Does it migrate?) Only 40 left and currently live in southern California, Oregon, Arizona, Utah, and Baja California.

Include all subspecies or varieties of your animal. There are many types of condors but only one California condor

Identify at least 10 characteristics that will give an in-depth, accurate description of your animal The California condor's wings spread to 9 1/2 feet, which makes it the largest bird of prey in North America. It is also the heaviest, since it can weigh up to 30 pounds. At 5 years of age, the condor gets its feathers. But it must wait another 1 to 2 years to mate. Length: 4 feet Wingspan: up to 9 1/2 feet Number of eggs: 1 every other year

2. Where and why is your animal endangered?

Locate where it is endangered (might not be endangered in all its habitats) Everywhere, mostly in California, Oregon, Arizona, Baja California, and Utah.

Identify the factors, environmental and/or anthropogenic (caused by man) that cause it to be endangered This bird is threatened in many ways. One is lead poisoning. This is caused by eating carrion shot by hunters. Other causes of the condors dismays were pesticide poisoning which weakened its eggs, accidental and deliberate shooting, strychnine and cyanide poisoning intended for coyotes, changes in habitat due to higher human population and a naturally low reproductive rate.

Provide statistics and other facts related to its endangerment There are only 40 condors left in the world their number dwindled to 27 in 1978. In 1987, the last three wild specimens were captured for a breeding program. 3. Where is your animal in captivity and/or conserved?

Locate at least two zoos and/or conservation centers where the animal is held. San Diego Wild Animal park and the Los Angeles zoo Los Padres National Forest, CA; Grand Canyon National Park, AZ; Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, AZ/UT; Kaibab National Forest, AZ; and Pinnacles National Monument, CA

4. What is being done to restore your animal’s populations? Where is it being done?

Locate where research is done on your animal and where efforts are underway to conserve its population (Note: It may be that this is done at the same location(s) you identified in #3) San Diego Wild Animal park and the Los Angeles zoo

Identify the experts, leaders, and/or groups guiding the conservation Pinnacles National Monument is a part of the California Condor Recovery Program that began in 2003

Outline any research and efforts to conserve the population 27 in 1978. In 1987, the last three wild specimens were captured for a breeding program. This program has been successful and the number of condors in captivity is growing slowly. Soon it is hoped that some can be reintroduced in the wild. Pinnacles National Monument is a part of the California Condor Recovery Program that began in 2003.


 * Photos**

By ** Doug Greenberg ** By ** SonnyandSandy **  By ** Don Van Dyke **  By ** jimfrazier ** By ** Doug Fisher **  By ** ehoyer ** By ** DKlinge **


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