A one year-old male California condor was removed from the wild after it repeatedly visited areas of high human activity and interacted with people. After less than five months of freedom, Condor #86 was captured on April 6, 1999, by Peregrine Fund and Hualapai Tribe biologists at Grand Canyon West. It was transported to the Peregrine Funds World Center for Birds of Prey breeding facility in Boise, Idaho, and will be integrated into a captive breeding population at the center, the Los Angeles Zoo where it was hatched, or San Diego Wild Animal Park.
A team of Peregrine Fund biologists first recaptured Condor 86 on March 25, 1999, after it spent an afternoon and evening in a mulberry tree at a Hurricane, Utah, resort parking lot. Biologists transported it to the Hurricane Cliffs release facility in a kennel and kept it confined at the facility until its release on April 2, 1999. Whenever biologists need to handle condors - for radio transmitter battery replacement, medical examinations or removing a bird from a dangerous site - the birds receive a negative experience that reinforces the lesson that humans are to be avoided.
On April 4, 1999, Condor 86 reportedly approached river rafters at Travertine Canyon on the Hualapai Indian Reservation and the following afternoon it repeatedly approached people at the airstrip and terminal area at Grand Canyon West (a location on the Hualapai Indian Reservation atop the Grand Canyon rim near the upper end of Lake Mead and where river rafting trips frequently end).
"Scavenger species like ravens and condors are attracted to areas of high activity; in nature activity signals the possibility of a food source," said Bill Heinrich of The Peregrine Fund. The reintroduced condors frequently demonstrate their attraction to activity. The field team has been monitoring this behavior closely and when people have been the subject of activity, biologists have attempted to deter birds and people from interacting. "Its a process of educating both people and condors to avoid each other," concluded Heinrich.
People are asked to immediately report any condor contact to the Peregrine Fund (520-355-2270), Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (435-865-6100), or Arizona Game and Fish Department (520-774-5045). If a close encounter or interaction with a condor is unavoidable or a condor persists, people should clap their hands and flail their arms to dissuade an approaching condor. "This species has survived for thousands of years by investigating areas of activity; everyone can help in the recovery of the species by allowing the birds to realize that human activity does not equate to food," emphasized Chris Parish, Condor Project Coordinator for Arizona Game and Fish Department. "Dont feed them, dont approach them, and dont leave things out at your campsites. If we enjoy them at a distance, well be able to enjoy them for generations."
"The lack of fear of humans put the condor in danger, a behavior that could have jeopardized other condors if he had taught them to approach humans," noted The Peregrine Funds condor field team leader, Shawn Farry. "When cornered, condors will use their powerful beak for protection, another reason not to approach them."
"These condors dont have parents teaching them what situations to avoid and what to pursue. Humans are something they need to learn to avoid; contact with humans is one of the threats that drove this species to near extinction," said Fish and Wildlife Service spokesman Jeff Humphrey. "It is crucial to the recovery of this endangered species that humans strive to avoid contact with the birds."
OTHER SOUTHWEST CONDOR NEWS UPDATES:
Of the 14 birds released at Vermilion Cliffs (in December, 1996, May and November, 1997, and November, 1998) three four year-old males (14, 16, 23) have been displaying courtship behavior (and coloration). Biologists do not expect successful courtship to occur for at least two years.
The six remaining Hurricane Cliff condors are doing well and making progressively longer flights since their November 18, 1998, release.
Since January the Vermilion Cliffs birds have been locating almost all of the carrion (dead animals) theyve been feeding on (range cattle and a beaver) - as opposed to eating the stillborn dairy calf carcasses provided by the field crew. Peregrine Fund biologists would like to renew the birds interest in calf carcasses so they can better manage where the birds are spending time.
The investigation into the shooting death of female Condor 24 at Soap Creek Rapids in Grand Canyon National Park in February is continuing. Until the investigation is completed, the Fish and Wildlife Service is not releasing investigation information and contact and suspects identities.
