Considered by some to be the most magnificent of birds, only 84 California condors exist free in northern Arizona and southern Utah. But later this month, four more will join them. You can witness California condors take their first flight to freedom. And you can do it in person, or watch it live on the internet.
Part of Public Lands Day celebration
The Peregrine Fund and the Bureau of Land Management Vermilion Cliffs National Monument are hosting a celebration on National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 28. The celebration will be marked by the release of four captive-bred California condors at 1 p.m. MDT/Utah time (noon MST/northern-Arizona condor time). The 28th annual event will be held in person at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and will be livestreamed via The Peregrine Fund’s YouTube Channel.
The first California condor release at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument was in 1996. Releases continued until 2023, when no release happened because of an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). That virus killed a total of 21 condors in the Utah-Arizona flock. To prevent additional infections, no condors were released until it was determined the outbreak was over.
During the outbreak, one California condor nestling, “Milagra,” or Miracle, made national news with her inspirational story of perseverance in a time of tragedy. Before hatching, her mother died from HPAI, and Milagra hatched at Liberty Wildlife before being transported to The Peregrine Fund’s propagation facility to be raised by foster parents. After more than a year in The Peregrine Fund’s care, Milagra is set to enter the wild at the 2024 release event.
In 2020, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the team took the celebration online, reaching more than 10,000 event viewers. Because of that success, the event will be livestreamed again in addition to the in-person event.
California condors take their first flight—a milestone after bad years
“This year’s condor release will be especially impactful given the losses we experienced in 2023 from HPAI and lead poisoning,” said Tim Hauck, The Peregrine Fund’s California condor program director. “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.
But the California condor release this year is not just a celebration of these four condors, it is a moment of triumph for the biologists, volunteers, wildlife rehabilitators, recovery partners, and supporters who persevered through the last year,” said Hauck.
The condor team isn’t able to predict exactly when the birds will choose to leave their release pen. Because of that, the livestream event will have a picture-in-picture setup with a camera trained on the release pen. It will include videos and interviews with the condor biologists and conservationists who work with these massive birds. Viewers will also have their questions answered live by the condor team.
Those attending the event in person will have the opportunity to talk with condor biologists and ecosystem managers. They can learn about the birds and their habitat, and enjoy a festival-like atmosphere. All this while waiting for the condors to take their first flight from the Vermilion Cliffs.
Just 22 California condors left when restoration efforts started
The historical California condor population declined to just 22 individuals in the 1980s. It was then that the California Condor Recovery Program was initiated to save the species from extinction.
As of June 2024, there are 85 condors in the wild in the rugged canyon country of northern Arizona and southern Utah. The total world population of endangered California condors numbers more than 560 individuals. More than half are flying free in Arizona, Utah, California, and Mexico.
You can livestream…
Set a reminder to join the livestream of the condor release on The Peregrine Fund’s YouTube Channel. Click here for more information. The livestream begins at 11:30 a.m. MST, 12:30 p.m. MDT.
… or attend in person
● Driving directions: Take Highway 89A from Kanab, UT, or Page, AZ, to the Vermilion Cliffs (from Flagstaff take Highway 89 to Highway 89A). Turn north onto BLM Road 1065 (a dirt road next to the small house just east of the Kaibab Plateau) and continue for almost 3 miles. If traveling from Utah, please note the differences between time zones as the event begins at 1 p.m. MDT (noon MST, northern Arizona Condor Time).
● Bring: Spotting scope or binoculars, sunscreen, hat, ample water, snacks, a chair, and layered clothing as the closest facilities to obtain supplies are 40 minutes from the remote release site.
● Details: Informational kiosk, shade structure, and restroom at the site. For a map, click here. [Note: BLM website is down on 9/18/24.]
For more information about The Peregrine Fund California Condor recovery project, click here.
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Thank you, Russ and Tina! 🙂 Interesting. Thanks again, have a great day, safe travels, and safe stays! 🙂