ARIZONA NEWS

Wildlife officials to release 4 captive-bred California condors in northern Arizona

Sep 20, 2024, 4:05 AM

annual event to save the California condor to take place on September 28...

The massive conservation effort to save the California condors in the Arizona-Utah region will see a breakthrough on Sept. 28, 2024. (National Park Service File Photo)

(National Park Service File Photo)

PHOENIX — Conservationists in Arizona are set to take a big step forward in their efforts to save the California condor, a critically endangered species.

It might be more accurate to stay “a big flight forward” than a big step, though. Four California condors are set to officially soar out of captivity and into the wild on Sept. 28.

Specifically, the endangered condors will make their freedom flights at the Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, which is in Coconino County.

Yearly releases big part of effort to save the California condor

The Peregrine Fund and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have hosted the yearly condor release since 1996.

For the first time since the tradition started, there was no release last year. It was called off to prevent infections after the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) killed 21 condors in the Utah-Arizona flock.

“This year’s condor release will be especially impactful given the losses we experienced in 2023 from HPAI and lead poisoning,” Tim Hauck, The Peregrine Fund’s California condor program director, said in a press release Tuesday.

There are around 560 California condors around the world. More than half of the critically endangered birds fly freely around Arizona, Utah, California and Mexico.

“With only 85 condors remaining in the Utah-Arizona flock and lead poisoning still a prominent issue, the release of these four condors will have a significant impact on the recovery program,” Hauck said.

This moment is especially triumphant for animal conservationists

One of the condors to be released this month is Milagra. She was a hatchling whose mother died from HPAI prior to her birth.

Officials brought the young bird to The Peregrine Fund’s propagation facility in Boise, Idaho. Two condors in the facility adopted her as their own.

Over the past year, Milagra has been attending “Condor School” with other nestlings, learning how to fly and socialize with other birds.

Milagra is now ready to be returned to the wild with three other California condors.

Watch the annual event to save the California condor

This year, bird lovers can watch an online livestream of the yearly release to save the California condor. It begins at 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 28.

The condor team can’t predict exactly when the birds will leave their release pen and enter the wild. To keep viewers engaged and educated, the livestream will include videos and interviews with biologists and conservationists. In addition, the experts will answer viewer questions.

“The California condor release this year is not just a celebration of these four condors,” Hauck said. “It is a moment of triumph for the biologists, volunteers, wildlife rehabilitators, recovery partners, and supporters who persevered through the last year.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

fentanyl pills, fentanyl bust Phoenix...

KTAR.com

Weekend Wrap: Here are the biggest Phoenix news stories from Feb. 7-9

Here are some of the top Valley news stories from Feb. 7-9, including a Phoenix man being pulled over with more than 100,000 fentanyl pills.

9 hours ago

Economists foresee labor shortages in construction and agriculture as a result of President Donald ...

Matthew DeWees and Katrina Michalak/Cronkite News

Donald Trump’s mass deportations could mean higher costs and labor shortages in Arizona

Deportations ordered by President Trump could hit Arizona’s agriculture and construction sectors hard, pushing up prices for shoppers.

13 hours ago

Immigration Arizona criminal charges 565 people USAO...

Payne Moses

More than 500 charged with immigration-related crime in Arizona over recent 2-week period

From Jan. 21-Feb. 3, a total of 565 people were charged with illegal immigration activity by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona.

15 hours ago

Two Valley freeway ramps will be closed for the next two months....

Kevin Stone

2 Valley on-ramps closing for 2 months as part of freeway improvement projects

A couple of metro Phoenix freeway ramps are closing for the next two months as part of ongoing improvement projects.

19 hours ago

Honeywell Aerospace...

Collin Huguley and Jeff Gifford/Phoenix Business Journal

Phoenix-based Honeywell Aerospace to go its own way amid company split

Phoenix-based Honeywell Aerospace Technologies is going to become a separate entity now that Honeywell International Inc. plans to follow through with a major shake-up.

20 hours ago

fatal shooting southeast Phoenix one man dead...

Payne Moses

Police investigating fatal shooting that left 1 man dead in southeast Phoenix

Phoenix police are investigating a fatal shooting in southeast Phoenix on Friday that left one man dead. The incident is being viewed as an act of self-defense.

1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Join us for the 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade

The 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe returns on Saturday, December 28, at 10 a.m.

...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford’s Operation Santa Claus: Spreading holiday cheer through pickleball

Phoenix, AZ – Sanderson Ford, a staple in the Arizona community, is once again gearing up for its annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive.

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

Wildlife officials to release 4 captive-bred California condors in northern Arizona