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California condors are making their comeback to the Pacific Northwest. However, these condors aren't slated to soar over the Columbia Gorge. The Oregon Zoo is set to become the California Condor Recovery Program's fourth condor breeding facility. The other three facilities are operated by the San Diego Wild Animal Park, the Los Angeles Zoo, and the World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho.
Oregon Zoo staff first met with the California Condor Recovery Team at their October, 2000, meeting in Ventura, California. They inspected condor-breeding facilities at the Los Angeles Zoo and San Diego Wild Animal Park obtaining the necessary background information on the physical layout and staffing associated with condor propagation. In February, 2001, Oregon Zoo presented a proposal to the recovery team to join the effort. The Audubon Society of Portland, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Oregon State Office, and the U.S. Forest Service enthusiastically supported the zoo's proposal. The Recovery Team recommended Oregon Zoo's membership.
The California Condor Recovery Program is one of the highest-profile and most successful endangered species recovery efforts and Oregon Zoo is honored to be selected to participate.
The Oregon Zoo's selection marks a major milestone for it's Future For Wildlife field conservation program. The zoo has formed several partnerships with regulatory and educational organizations for the furtherance of conservation concerns in the Pacific Northwest. The zoo achieved notable successes breeding or raising several Northwest species, including the Oregon silverspot butterfly, western pond turtle, and the highly endangered pygmy rabbit of Washington State.
Joining the California Condor Recovery Program catapults Oregon Zoo into the national conservation spotlight. The effort presents major financial, logistic, and personal challenges to development, conservation, and animal care staff. The zoo has an in-house exhibit design team to design and construct a facility, experienced keeper staff, and a commitment from the entire animal management team to make this a success. The zoo's support organization, The Oregon Zoo Foundation, is seeking potential donors and funding partners.
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Breeding condors takes a lot of room. Each pair needs a minimum flight cage measuring 20 x 40 feet and we are being asked to plan for as many as 16 breeding pairs. There is no space on zoo grounds for this large facility, so the zoo will build an off-grounds facility. During egg-laying season, keepers will watch the nesting condors around-the-clock. Plans call for a shelter to accommodate keepers as they provide around-the-clock care.
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