The Fall and Rise of Condors

Population Decline:
Condors soared over the mountains of the Far West, from Canada to Mexico, up to the early 1800s. As a result of shooting, specimen and egg collecting, pesticide and lead poisoning, and other factors, condor numbers diminished dramatically. Only 22 California Condors existed with 21 in the wild and one in captivity by 1982. Due to the increasing mortality, all condors were brought into captivity and a captive-breeding program was developed. On April 19, 1987, the last wild condor was captured.

Current Population:
The total population of condors is now at 183 birds. There are 32 free-flying condors in southern and central California and 25 condors in northern Arizona. The captive flock includes 126 birds. Twenty-six of them were born in spring 2001. 

Since the beginning of the release program in 1992, 128 birds have been returned to the wild. Of those birds, 44 died and 26 returned to captivity. The causes of death included lead poisoning, shootings, collision with power lines and predation by coyotes and golden eagles. The birds returned to captivity were putting themselves at risk by interacting with people and structures. Free-flying birds are intensively monitored by radio telemetry and managed primarily by placement of carcasses for food.