More Condors To Fly Free Over California Redwoods After 100-Year Absence

More California condors are set to be released in the north of the state—a region where, until recently, the "majestic" birds had been absent for more than 100 years.

In a statement posted to Facebook on Wednesday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) said the Northern California Condor Restoration Program (NCCRP) will release four birds between mid-September and mid-October in the region of Redwood National and State Parks.

The NCCRP, which is comprised of biologists and technicians from the Yurok Tribe and Redwood National Park, had already released a cohort of another four California condors in the area between May and July this year.

This was the northernmost California condor release to date and meant the birds were flying free in a part of their historic range that they had been absent from since 1892.

The California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is the largest land bird in North America, with a wingspan that can reach almost 10 feet in length and weighing up to 25 pounds, according to the FWS.

Historically, these large vultures once roamed across a vast range that extended from California to Florida, and western Canada to Mexico. But around 10,000 years ago, the bird's range reduced dramatically as many large mammal species that it fed on went extinct. By the mid-20th century, the species had suffered drastic declines in the face of human-related threats—such as lead poisoning and shooting—and in 1967, the federal government classified the bird as endangered.

By 1982, the condors were on the edge of extinction with only 22 known individuals remaining in the wild. So in 1987, wildlife authorities took the decision to place all the remaining wild condors into captivity and begin a breeding program.

In 1992, the FSW began reintroducing captive-bred condors into the wild as part of the California Condor Recovery Program. While the species is still regarded as one of the rarest birds in the world, the total worldwide population now numbers more than 500, with more than half of these flying free in the wild, according to the National Park Service.

Until this year, condors had been released at selected sites in central and southern California, in Arizona and in Baja California, Mexico. But in 2022, the birds were reintroduced to Northern California and now a cohort of four more condors are set to be released into the wild in this region, which will bring the total wild population there to eight.

"We are extremely excited to receive the second condor cohort," Yurok Department of Wildlife Director Tiana Williams-Claussen said in the FSW statement. "I can't wait to see all eight condors flying free over Yurok Country. The first group of birds are adjusting well to their new home in the redwood region."

According to the FSW, the exact timing of the release of the second cohort will depend on assessments from NCCRP biologists regarding the readiness of the birds.

The new cohort comprises of one female and three males ranging between 1 and 2 years old. California condors have estimated lifespans of more than 60 years.

As scavengers, condors carry out a critical service in the ecosystem by eating carrion. They also play a significant role in the spiritual and cultural beliefs of the Yurok Tribe—who refer to the birds as "prey-go-neesh"—and other Native American groups.

The restoration effort in Northern California was initiated by the Yurok Tribe in 2008 with support from the FSW and other partners. It now forms part of the wider California Condor Recovery Program.

The NCCRP plans to reintroduce one cohort of California condors every year for the next two decades.

According to the Yurok Tribe, the young condors from the first cohort to be released are "flourishing" in the redwood region.

"The birds consistently exhibit healthy behaviors, such as feeding, soaring and finding safe roosts," the tribe said.