Proposed Condor Reintroduction

Taking Steps to Save the California Condor from Extinction

In a major effort to restore the California condor population, the National Park Service, Yurok Tribe, National Park Foundation, PG&E and many other partners are collaborating to reintroduce condors to traditional Yurok territory in Redwood National Park.

 

California condor soars overhead.

Chris West: Yurok Tribe.

 

Photo: USFWS

Background

It has been more than a century since the California condor flew over the redwoods. The Pacific Northwest and coastal redwoods used to be their home. In 1805, Lewis and Clark even saw them at the mouth of the Columbia River. For many cultural, historical and ecological reasons the return of California condors to far Northern California would be beneficial.

In 1982 there were only twenty-two California Condors left in the world. In 1992, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), with its public and private partners, began reintroducing captive-bred condors to the wild.

In 2003, the Yurok Tribe identified restoring California condors to Yurok Ancestral Territory as a top priority. In 2008, the Yurok Tribe wildlife program obtained a grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service and began scientifically assessing the historical habitat for current suitability. It has been shown that this landscape still is a viable habitat for the condors. The Yurok Tribe is a full partner in this reintroduction effort.

Currently, a large group of agencies, tribal governments, wildlife societies, hunter as stewards programs, park partners, non-profit and private organizations are collaborating to try to establish a condor release site in the Bald Hills of Redwood National Park. As this proposal becomes reality, in 2021 an "experimental population" of condors will likely be a part of the Redwood National and State Park's scenery and visitor experience.

A similar experimental condor population was successfully established in Arizona's Vermillion Cliffs. Other condor populations were established at California's Big Sur, Pinnacles National Park and at Hopper Mountain and Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuges.

What was happening with public input?

By 2016, the proposed Redwood reintroduction effort was in the planning and early funding stage. This process moved forward with public input which began in early 2017. There were over a dozen public meetings in California and Oregon, and on-line and written ways for the public to provide input and feedback.

It took a year for the planning, public comments, meetings and evaluations to be completed. The condor reintroduction plan was approved and that signing occurred in 2019.

 

Videos and Articles

Watch short video clips by Redwood National Park rangers and Yurok tribal members about different connections to condors.

Article (2020) about Condors returning to the Redwoods, written by a Redwood National Park ranger.

Article (2017) about Condor reintroduction to the national parks.

 

How do I stay up to date?

1) You will find all news releases on the park news release page.

November 2, 2016 Condor press release. PG&E is a major partner. (PDF)

2) Engage with each other and us on our social media platforms. @RedwoodNPS
facebook
Twitter

 

Comparison of a turkey vulture (left) and a California condor (right) in flight.

NPS Photo/ Gavin Eammons.

Links to More About Condors and Reintroduction

US Fish and Wildlife Service Condor Reintroduction Program

World CA Condor Update - 2019

Condors at Grand Canyon National Park

Condors at Pinnacles National Park

Flight of the Condors: Expanding their Range

Live stream of condor chick hatching

Condors at Big Sur