March 26, 2006
California Condors Arizona Update Feb 2006
California Condor AZ Update - 14 February 2006
This condor update is provided solely for the purpose of disseminating information to project cooperators and other interested parties. For media requests, please contact Allyson Mathis, Grand Canyon Park Interpretive Ranger directly at 928-214-1249 or Kathy Sullivan, AZGFD, at ksullivan@azgfd.gov.
Wild-Hatched Condor Chicks:
Condor 389, the 2005 Vermilion Cliffs fledgling, expanded its range in January by visiting the release site for the first time. After initially being harassed by the other condors, Condor 389 established its place in the condor hierarchy, and was observed roosting with other condors at the release site by the end of the month. Condor 389 has also been observed feeding on the calf carcasses at the release site!
Condor 392, the 2005 wild-hatched chick at the Grand Canyon is also doing well. The recent fledgling still remains close to its nest cave and hasn’t made any long flights yet, but it’s only a matter of time before this bird will be gracing Grand Canyon visitors with a close-up view of its untagged wings. Currently, you can view Condor 392 and its parents in the distance from the Mohave Point overlook.
Condor 350 (the 2004 Grand Canyon chick) completed his recovery from a fractured radius at the Vermilion Cliffs rehab facility and Peregrine Fund biologists released him on 19 January 2006. The bird showed no hesitation to fly and immediately took to the sky. Condor 350 returned to the Grand Canyon shortly after his release. While in captivity, blood tests determined that Condor 350 is a male. That makes 3 wild-hatched male chicks so far. Let’s hope at least one of the 2005 chicks is a female!
Condor Breeding:
Breeding behavior for the 2006 season is looking good! It’s likely that Condors 119 & 122, the parents of Condor
350 (HY 2004), will nest again in the Grand Canyon this year. Condors 114 & 126 could possibly nest again at the Vermilion Cliffs this year. Their 2005 chick, Condor 389 has discovered the supplemental food at the release site, and the pair has been observed copulating recently. If they do successfully nest in 2006, this will be the third chick in three years for Condor 114 – quite an accomplishment for a condor! Hopefully Condors 187 & 136 will attempt nesting on the North Kaibab again this year (their nest failed last year). There’s also a possibility for some new pairs to nest, including Condors 133 & 158 and Condors 134 & 210. Some unpaired adults could also surprise us and suddenly pair up and nest this year.
Condor Releases:
Condor 162 was re-released on 19 January 2006 with Condor 350 (see above). Condor 162 was being held for behavioral reasons (interfering with a breeding pair). Hopefully she’ll find her own mate this season.
Condor Lead Exposure and Lead Reduction Efforts:
Trapping and lead testing continued in January. Only one bird remains to be trapped and tested for the fall/winter season. Although blood lead tests indicated several lead exposure events, and some birds required chelation treatments, lead exposure levels showed a decrease this year. This is the first time since testing began that lead exposure rates have decreased rather than increased from the previous year. We hope that the free non-lead ammunition program had something to do with this!
The survey results are in from the free non-lead ammunition program post hunt survey, and the data is encouraging. Over 1,100 Kaibab hunters (46%) returned their post-hunt surveys. We reported the preliminary findings at the AZ/NM Wildlife Society meeting in Flagstaff on February 3rd. Final results will be released to cooperators and the public soon. Good news - we have officially received funding to continue the free non-lead ammunition program for the fall 2006 hunting season!
Condor Mortality:
The carcass of a condor awaiting release (Condor 382) was recovered from the release pen on 09 January 2006. This HY 2005 bird was transported from Boise to the AZ release site in December (see December condor update). Necropsy results indicated that the bird died from fungal pneumonia likely caused by Aspergillius spores. Aspergillius is fairly common in condors and other birds, but rarely leads to pneumonia. All other condors in the release pen received health checks and are being carefully monitored. All appear healthy.
Condor Movements:
There’s finally a little snow in southern Utah! A few condors are still visiting the Kolob Canyon area, however. A handful of condors are also using the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The condors are concentrated around the release site, but can occasionally still be viewed at Navajo Bridge, the North Kaibab Forest, and the Colorado River corridor. We’re still waiting (Feb 14) for the snow in AZ!
News from California and Baja:
Two captive–reared condors were released at the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge in southern California. A recently released condor was found dead in Baja from a possible bobcat predation. Necropsy results are pending
Condor Numbers:
Total population - 273
Captive – 146
Wild - 127
Arizona – 59
11 awaiting release
California – 57
Baja – 11
3 awaiting release