Condor pair takes flight
B4 & B6 join 11 condors already released to their ancestral skies. Photo courtesy NCCRP/Yurok Tribe.
Two more prey-go-neesh take to the redwood skies
On August 21st at 12:28 PM, condors B4 and B6 were released into Yurok ancestral territory, joining 11 other free-flying birds. To help ease their transition from captivity, the Northern California Condor Restoration Program (NCCRP) waited for experienced condors to arrive before opening the release trap. After taking flight, B4 and B6 were discreetly tracked by the NCCRP crew until they found a safe place to roost. Both condors are doing well!
B4 is a 16-month-old female, and B6 is a 15-month-old male. While previous condors received nicknames, B4 and B6 remain unnamed for now as the NCCRP observes their integration into the flock. The recent cohort of five juvenile birds arrived from the Los Angeles Zoo four weeks ago and is acclimating in the NCCRP flight pen. The program also welcomed back mentor condor Paaytoquin to guide the new cohort.
Additional birds will be released as they are ready, with a staggered release process allowing for close monitoring. The NCCRP is a collaboration between the Yurok Tribe and Redwood National and State Parks. For more information, visit Yurok Condor Restoration Program.
About the condor reintroduction project
In May 2022, after many years of research, collaboration, and planning, four condors were released from the Condor Release and Management Facility in Redwood National Park. Condors are an important part of Yurok tribal culture, and releasing them back into their ancestral home on the northwest coast of California has been a project many years in the making. In 2022, RPC was able to donate $42,000 in funds to help with the condor project. Absent for over a century, the reintroduction of the condor has a great significance for this area.
The California condor has been an endangered species since the 1970s. In the 1980s, only 22 birds remained. Those birds were captured and studied in hopes of preventing the extinction of the entire species. Efforts to breed the birds in captivity were successful, and eventually condors were being released into the wild to soar the skies once more.
Redwood Parks Conservancy proudly supports the Northern California Condor Restoration Program. This year, we raised $65,000 to build new infrastructure to protect the birds from avian flu and another $29,000 to cover the cost of 970 hours of seasonal staff time, a heavy duty utility trailer, housing costs of crew leads, along with heating supplies and equipment for the quarantine facility. We are currently working on a grant proposal that will total between $75,000-$100,000 for the program. Please consider donating today to contribute to this incredible project!
Up next in the parks
Calling all surfers: Longboard Competition & Festival returns 9/28 & 9/29!
Get ready for a weekend of thrilling longboard surfing action and community fun at the Crescent City Classic Longboard Competition & Festival! This exciting event will take place on Saturday, September 28th, and Sunday, September 29th, 2024, at beautiful South Beach in Crescent City, CA. Proceeds from this event will fund essential projects in our redwood parks and public lands. Your participation helps preserve and enhance these natural treasures. Presented in partnership with Redwood National & State Parks, the North Coast Junior Lifeguards, Crescent City Harbor District and Port O’ Pints. P. S. Kids compete for free!
