Condor Comeback

Joseph Brandt treks into California’s rugged wilderness northeast of Los Angeles. Brandt, the head wildlife biologist at the Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge, is checking on a species bouncing back from near extinction: the California condor. After lowering himself down a cliff on a rope, Brandt spies a pair of nesting condors in a cave. The condor family appears to be thriving. “Watching a healthy chick interacting with its parents is very special,” says Brandt.

Joseph Brandt hikes into California’s rugged wilderness northeast of Los Angeles. Brandt is the head wildlife biologist at the Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge. He’s checking on a species bouncing back from near extinction: the California condor. He lowers himself down a cliff on a rope, and then spies a pair of nesting condors in a cave. The condor family appears to be thriving. “Watching a healthy chick interacting with its parents is very special,” says Brandt.

A few decades ago, it was uncertain whether condors would ever be seen in the wild again. Environmental factors had driven their population to the brink of collapse (see Threats to Condors). The birds once occupied most of North America. By the 1980s, just 22 California condors remained on the planet. With intensive conservation efforts, their numbers have risen to 460, including about 250 in the wild.

But condors aren’t out of the woods yet. They require extensive monitoring to ensure the species makes a full recovery. Brandt and his colleagues at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s California Condor Recovery Program keep an eye on the birds’ nests, conduct frequent field checkups, and provide veterinary care. They’re going to great lengths to make sure the rebounding condor population continues to grow. 

A few decades ago, no one knew if condors would ever be seen in the wild again. Problems in the environment had almost wiped out their population (see Threats to Condors). The birds once lived across most of North America. By the 1980s, just 22 California condors remained on the planet. With strong conservation efforts, their numbers have grown to 460. That includes about 250 in the wild.

But condors aren’t out of the woods yet. They need a lot of monitoring to make sure the species recovers fully. Brandt and his co-workers at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s California Condor Recovery Program keep an eye on the birds’ nests. They perform field checkups and provide veterinary care. They’re going to great lengths to make sure the rising condor population continues to grow. 

Dozens of birds require treatment every year. “Seeing condors continue to get sick and die from lead is the hardest part of my work,” says Brandt. Conservationists educate hunters and encourage them to use ammunition made of safer metals such as copper and zinc. By 2019, it will be illegal to shoot wildlife with lead anywhere in California. 

Dozens of birds need treatment every year. “Seeing condors continue to get sick and die from lead is the hardest part of my work,” says Brandt. Conservationists teach hunters about the problem. They encourage hunters to use ammunition made of safer metals such as copper and zinc. By 2019, it will be illegal to shoot wildlife with lead anywhere in California.

Scientists continue to learn about other threats to condors’ survival. Biologist Carolyn Kurle of the University of California at San Diego and her colleagues recently studied condors that scavenge for food along the California coast. Coastal condors eat fewer animals shot by hunters than inland birds do. But Kurle and her collaborators found that they are exposed to high levels of industrial chemicals called PCBs and the pesticide DDT.

Scientists are still learning about other threats to condors’ survival. Carolyn Kurle is a biologist at the University of California at San Diego. She and her team recently studied condors that scavenge for food along the California coast. These condors eat fewer animals shot by hunters than inland birds do. But the team found other dangers. The birds are exposed to high levels of chemicals called PCBs and the pesticide DDT.  

DDT and PCBs have been banned since the 1970s. But these persistent organic pollutants last for a long time in the environment and travel through the food chain. They build up in the bodies of marine mammals like sea lions, which condors eat. Over time, the toxins cause problems like thin eggshells that break before developing chicks are ready to hatch.

Despite the challenges condors face, their population is moving in the right direction. “The California condor is a symbol of what’s possible in American conservation,” says Brandt. “But the condor’s future is still very much in our hands. It depends on decisions people make, especially about lead.” He feels hopeful whenever he spots wild condors soaring in the sky—just as the birds have been doing for thousands of years. 

DDT and PCBs have been banned since the 1970s. But these persistent organic pollutants last for a long time in the environment. They travel through the food chain. They build up in the bodies of marine mammals like sea lions, which condors eat. Over time, the chemicals cause problems like thin eggshells. Then eggs may break before baby chicks are ready to hatch.

Condors face big challenges, but their population is moving in the right direction. “The California condor is a symbol of what’s possible in American conservation,” says Brandt. “But the condor’s future is still very much in our hands. It depends on decisions people make, especially about lead.” He feels hopeful whenever he spots wild condors soaring in the sky—just as the birds have been doing for thousands of years.