Grand Canyon, AZ: Biologists recently confirmed a new condor chick produced in the wild by captive-bred California condors at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. They believe another chick is likely in the Grand Canyon. This brings the total number of chicks hatched in the wilds of Arizona to six confirmed, and seven probable, since 1996, the year that endangered California condors were first reintroduced in northern Arizona as part of a cooperative recovery program by federal, state and private partners.
"This confirmed visual allows for a brief sigh of relief," said Chris Parish, the biologist leading the recovery effort for The Peregrine Fund, an international conservation organization. "The next big step, however, will be after the chick fledges and integrates into the wild flock. One step at a time."
The Peregrine Fund, based in Boise, Idaho, breeds and recovers endangered birds of prey around the world. Two other condor pairs attempted to nest in Arizona this year, but were unsuccessful. California condors are typically six years or older the first time they attempt to breed, and pairs commonly do not succeed until they are eight years of age. The Vermilion Cliffs chick is the second offspring for a pair of condors at the national monument. The chick was discovered by field biologists who observed nesting behavior in May. By early June biologists suspected a chick had hatched because the parents were venturing out to forage for food and immediately returning to the cave. After watching this behavior continue for three weeks, Peregrine Fund field manager Eddie Feltes rappelled down the face of the cliff and peeked inside the cave to confirm the presence of a healthy young bird.
The other chick that likely hatched this summer is the first for a pair nesting in a remote canyon within the Grand Canyon. That chick has not been confirmed with visual inspection, but scientists are optimistic, based on the parents' behavior.
"With each wild chick hatched, the original condor reintroduction concerns of whether the condor could even be successfully recovered have been answered," said Kathy Sullivan, lead biologist of the Arizona Game and Fish Department's condor program. "The program is making great strides. However, this chick and the entire flock face many challenges that must be overcome to achieve a self-sustaining population."
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