SW CA Condor Update - 2013-10 (October)

Condor Enthusiasts,

Here you may download the updated condor tag chart & tables. Condor Chart 10-18-2013 (111 kb PDF)

In addition to this:

Ten condors were transferred from the World Center for Birds of Prey in Bosie, Idaho to the Vermilion Cliffs Release Pens. Three (condors 647, 653, and 655) were released on September 28th. Necropsy results are in for 413 and 592.

413, male, Tag 13, hatched in 2006, released in 2010; found dead and intact on 19 June; cause of death- vehicular collision.

592, female, Tag L2, hatched in 2011, released in 2012; found dead and scavenged on 29 June; cause of death- coyote predation.

Breeding status update:

For the first time since the beginning of the reintroduction into Arizona, there are 4 confirmed wild chicks! As of this update, all our still alive and one (chick 722) fledged on October 10th.

234 and 280, Grand Canyon National Park (Battleship Cave) - estimated lay date of 4 March 2013, - CHICK (SB 719) - estimated hatch 30 Apr 13 - Confirmed visual of chick 30 May 2013

122 and 316, Grand Canyon National Park- estimated lay date of 6 March 2013, CHICK (SB 723) - estimated hatch date of 2 May 13. Jean Lawrence, Grand Canyon's condor tech, was able to get the first visual of chick on September 16th. Great work Jean!

Trio of 273M03, 302F03, and 354F04, Grand Canyon National Park - estimated lay date of 10 March 2013, CHICK (SB 722) - estimated hatch date of 6 May 2013 - Confirmed visual of chick 30 Jun 2013. Chick fledged on October 10th.

158 and 346, Kaibab National Forest - estimated lay date of 25 March 2013, CHICK (SB 720) parents - estimated hatch date of 21 May 13- Confirmed visual of chick on 3 June 2013.

Current population numbers from the US Fish & Wildlife Service, as of August 31, 2013:

World Total: 430

• Wild Population: 229
• California Population: 134
• Baja California, Mexico Population: 30
• Arizona/Utah Population: 76
• Captive Population (including birds temporarily in captivity): 201

Janice Stroud-Settles
Wildlife Biologist
Division of Science and Resource Management
Grand Canyon National Park