SW CA Condor Update - 2014-11 (November)

Condor Enthusiasts -

Here you may download the updated condor chart and tables (11 17 2014)

In addition to this:

Newly released condors:

• 698: 1-year-old
• 701: 1-year-old
• 707: 1-year-old
• 641: 1-year-old male
• 721: 1-year-old

DEATHS:

• 537: 5-year-old female; died on 2/2014; cause of death TBD
• 234: 14-year-old male; died on 5/22/2014 in O'Neil Gulch, UT; cause of death TBD.
• Cause of death still being determined for 299: 10-year-old male; died on 12/30/2013 in Zion NP

Two more condors are missing and presumed dead including condors:

• 668; 2-year-old female; last contact April 7, 2014
• 669; 2-year-old male; last contact May 25, 2014
• 655; 2-year-old female; last contact March 21, 2014

BREEDING STATUS UPDATE:

• Condors 266 and 296 tending to chick 754; (Vermilion Cliffs National Monument chick); 754 fledged around the beginning of October and is already been feeding independently at the release site.
• Condor 293 and 389 first nest failed, second egg hatched May 30, 2014. Chick 766 (Cane Canyon, Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument chick) successfully fledged and is doing good.
• Condor 337 and 409, nested and hatched chick 765 (Zion National Park). Unfortunately 765 has not been seen since early October and is presumed dead.
• Condor 342 and 383, first and second nest failed (Grand Canyon National Park)

Current population numbers from the US Fish and Wildlife Service as of September 30, 2014:

World Total: 432

• Wild Population: 232
  • AZ/UT Population: 76
  • California Population: 127
  • Baja California/Mexico Population: 29
• Captive Population: 200

Lastly, I wanted to briefly recognize one of Grand Canyon's Interpretation Rangers, Patricia Brown. Pat recently passed away after a year-long battle with cancer. Pat's contribution and dedication to the recovery of condors was one of pure passion. She continuously educated herself on all-things condors and then, in return, educated the visitors about these amazing birds. Her condor talks opened the world of the condor to the visitors and taught them what they need to do to help these birds survive and become recovered. I will truly miss Pat. She was a cherished co-worker, a true friend, and gentle soul.

---

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