Gymnogyps californianus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	FALCONIFORMES	CATHARTIDAE

Scientific Name:

Gymnogyps californianus

Species Authority:

(Shaw, 1797)

Common Name/s:

English	–	California Condor
Spanish	–	Cóndor Californiano, Cóndor de California

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered D ver 3.1

Year Published:

2010

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Calvert, R., Symes, A., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

Cooper, D., Grantham, J., Kiff, L., Toone, W., Palmer, B.

Justification:
After the removal of all surviving birds into captivity in 1987, an intensive conservation programme involving reintroduction and release of captive-bred birds has led to a tiny but increasing population of this species in the wild. The species consequently qualifies as Critically Endangered.

History:

2009	–	Critically Endangered
2008	–	Critically Endangered
2006	–	Critically Endangered
2004	–	Critically Endangered
2000	–	Critically Endangered
1996	–	Critically Endangered
1994	–	Critically Endangered

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species declined rapidly throughout its historic range from British Columbia to Baja California during the 19th century and reportedly disappeared from outside California, USA, in 1937^2,25. The population had dropped to an all-time low of just 22 birds by 1981, and in 1983 eggs were first taken from wild nests for captive-rearing; in 1987 the species became extinct in the wild when the last of the six wild individuals was captured to join a captive-breeding recovery programme involving 27 birds^2,4,31. Due to intensive captive breeding efforts the population increased to 223 birds by August 2003, comprising 138 in captivity, and 85 reintroduced in California and northern Arizona¹⁰. Breeding in the wild resumed in 2002, and by February 2009 56 nesting attempts had been recorded, from which at least 19 chicks have fledged and survived²⁵. By December 2006, there were 130 wild birds at five release sites^15,19, including at least 44 that were over six years old (the age at which breeding commences at the very earliest)¹⁴, and in May 2009, the total population stood at 169 individuals in captivity and 189 in the wild, primarily in southern California³⁰. In January 2010, the number of released birds that had produced viable offspring stood at 44, with another 60 birds of breeding age²⁹. The reintroduction programme continues and has expanded its geographic coverage, with six birds released into the Sierra de San Pedro Martir in Baja California, Mexico in 2002⁹. A new release site in Baja was established in October 2003, and in December 2003 birds were released at another new site in California at the Pinnacles National Monument where one pair were observed raising chicks in 2009²⁴. Releases in New Mexico have been abandoned due to lack of funding, and release priorities have shifted to identifying sites and partnerships in southern Sierra Nevada, California¹³. The regular movements of the Arizona birds are confined to Coconnino County (Arizona) and Kane County (Utah), although a one individual wandered north to Flaming Gorge (Wyoming) and localities in Colorado before returning to the Grand Canyon area. The California birds occur regularly in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Ventura, Kern, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterrey, San Benito, and probably Santa Cruz counties. The Baja California birds are largely confined to the Sierra de San Pedro Martir¹⁵, where efforts are ongoing to increase the population to an anticipated carrying capacity of c.20 pairs²¹. The first chick born in Mexico for over 75 years hatched in April 2007. It is hoped these birds will range widely enough to be effectively connected with birds in the southern USA, and a recent success was recorded when a bird from the Baja population was seen in San Diego County in April 2007. Currently 19 chicks have fledged in the wild since reintroductions began²⁵, although no second generation birds have yet matured to breeding age, hence no population can be deemed sustainable and without a ban on lead-shot within the condor's range none are likely to become so²⁵.
Countries:	Reintroduced: Mexico; United States
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	There are currently 104 adults in the wild that are old enough to be breed, and 44 have produced viable offspring (J. Grantham in litt. 2010). As "mature individuals" as defined by IUCN only includes individuals in the wild that are currently capable of reproduction, and "re-introduced individuals must have produced viable offspring before they are counted as mature individuals", the current global population sense IUCN is 44 mature individuals.
Population Trend:	Increasing

Population:

There are currently 104 adults in the wild that are old enough to be breed, and 44 have produced viable offspring (J. Grantham in litt. 2010). As "mature individuals" as defined by IUCN only includes individuals in the wild that are currently capable of reproduction, and "re-introduced individuals must have produced viable offspring before they are counted as mature individuals", the current global population sense IUCN is 44 mature individuals.

Population Trend:

Increasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Its range includes rocky, open-country scrubland, coniferous forest and oak savanna⁶. Cliffs, rocky outcrops or large trees are used as nest sites⁶. It scavenges on the carcasses of large mammals and also feeds on the carcasses of small mammals, but perhaps only where there are sufficient numbers at one site²⁵. Released birds have become increasingly independent in finding food and may range more than 400 km from release sites^1,4.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

Its range includes rocky, open-country scrubland, coniferous forest and oak savanna⁶. Cliffs, rocky outcrops or large trees are used as nest sites⁶. It scavenges on the carcasses of large mammals and also feeds on the carcasses of small mammals, but perhaps only where there are sufficient numbers at one site²⁵. Released birds have become increasingly independent in finding food and may range more than 400 km from release sites^1,4.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The drastic population decline during the 20th century is principally attributed to persecution and accidental ingestion of fragments from lead bullets from carcasses, resulting in lead poisoning. Lead poisoning remains a threat for released birds and has caused many fatalities and resulted in the treatment of many more birds^7,17; 9 of 13 birds released at the Pinnacles National Monument in California had to be recaptured and tested for lead poisoning after feasting on a field of squirrel carcasses shot by hunters using lead-shot in 2006. It is particularly prone to the threat of lead-poisoning owing to its longevity and delayed onset breeding strategy, and given the distances it travels to forage, meaning lead can build up in the blood to dangerous levels over many years having been ingested over a broad area¹⁸. Shooting and accidental poisoning continue to be the principal threats to condors and at current levels threaten the long-term sustainability of reintroduced populations²², but lead ammunition is being banned within the species's range in California and there are increasing indications that the federal government will gradually phase out the use of lead across the U.S. Despite efforts to reduce the threat of lead-poisoning, it is reported that over 90% of condors released in Arizona still test positive for lead³¹ and in January 2010 three birds were found to have died from lead-poisoning in northern Arizona³². A study conducted recently in California, using samples collected in 2004-2009, suggests that around one third of condors there are experiencing toxicological effects from lead ammunition³³. Publicity and awareness raising campaigns appear to have successfully reduced persecution. Ingested anthropogenic material was recently responsible for the deaths of two nestlings and strongly implicated in a number of other deaths²³. The dead condors were found to have swallowed glass fragments, wire, plastic cartridge cases etc²³. Two birds were shot in California in 2009. Both were alive as of April 2009, both being treated for lead poisoning²⁸. Puppet-reared birds may be more prone to exhibit problematic human-oriented behaviour such as tameness and vandalising property than parent-reared birds⁸. However, there is no apparent difference in mortality between released birds that were puppet-reared and those which were parent-reared²⁶. In the early 1990s a number of captive-reared birds were lost owing to collisions with power-lines, but this behavioural problem has been addressed using a conditioning programme with fake power poles¹⁴. The spread of West Nile virus is not anticipated to be a problem for the species as most birds are vaccinated¹⁴. Overall survival of released birds has been high⁴, although without the capture, treatment and re-release of lead contaminated birds it is like that rates of mortality in the wild still exceed sustainable levels²⁵.

Major Threat(s):

The drastic population decline during the 20th century is principally attributed to persecution and accidental ingestion of fragments from lead bullets from carcasses, resulting in lead poisoning. Lead poisoning remains a threat for released birds and has caused many fatalities and resulted in the treatment of many more birds^7,17; 9 of 13 birds released at the Pinnacles National Monument in California had to be recaptured and tested for lead poisoning after feasting on a field of squirrel carcasses shot by hunters using lead-shot in 2006. It is particularly prone to the threat of lead-poisoning owing to its longevity and delayed onset breeding strategy, and given the distances it travels to forage, meaning lead can build up in the blood to dangerous levels over many years having been ingested over a broad area¹⁸. Shooting and accidental poisoning continue to be the principal threats to condors and at current levels threaten the long-term sustainability of reintroduced populations²², but lead ammunition is being banned within the species's range in California and there are increasing indications that the federal government will gradually phase out the use of lead across the U.S. Despite efforts to reduce the threat of lead-poisoning, it is reported that over 90% of condors released in Arizona still test positive for lead³¹ and in January 2010 three birds were found to have died from lead-poisoning in northern Arizona³². A study conducted recently in California, using samples collected in 2004-2009, suggests that around one third of condors there are experiencing toxicological effects from lead ammunition³³. Publicity and awareness raising campaigns appear to have successfully reduced persecution. Ingested anthropogenic material was recently responsible for the deaths of two nestlings and strongly implicated in a number of other deaths²³. The dead condors were found to have swallowed glass fragments, wire, plastic cartridge cases etc²³. Two birds were shot in California in 2009. Both were alive as of April 2009, both being treated for lead poisoning²⁸. Puppet-reared birds may be more prone to exhibit problematic human-oriented behaviour such as tameness and vandalising property than parent-reared birds⁸. However, there is no apparent difference in mortality between released birds that were puppet-reared and those which were parent-reared²⁶. In the early 1990s a number of captive-reared birds were lost owing to collisions with power-lines, but this behavioural problem has been addressed using a conditioning programme with fake power poles¹⁴. The spread of West Nile virus is not anticipated to be a problem for the species as most birds are vaccinated¹⁴. Overall survival of released birds has been high⁴, although without the capture, treatment and re-release of lead contaminated birds it is like that rates of mortality in the wild still exceed sustainable levels²⁵.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway CITES Appendix I and II. A large-scale, integrated captive-breeding and reintroduction programme, managed by The Peregrine Fund (at the World Center for Birds of Prey), Los Angeles Zoo, Oregon Zoo and San Diego Wild Animal Park is preventing extinction in the wild. The success of the scheme has seen an increase from one chick hatched in 1988 to an annual hatch of 25-30 birds in recent years¹⁶. The genetic diversity of the population has been maintained through careful distribution and representation of founder genotypes at each captive-breeding facility and reintroduction site. Consequently the current population retains 99.5% of the likely heterozygosity of a wild panmictic population²⁰. "Aversion training" to avoid powerlines and humans is practised⁶. A total of 154 condors were released into the wild between 1992 and 2003¹⁶. Clean carcasses are provided for reintroduced birds to help prevent lead-poisoning, and community education programmes aim to minimise persecution^1,2,4. A huge step has been taken towards eliminating the threat of lead-poisoning with the signing in 2007 of the "Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act" which requires the use of non-lead ammunition within the species's range in California and was implemented on 1 July 2008. As of February 2009, 99% of hunters were compliant with the act. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is now distributing safer lead-substitute bullets free of charge to hunters within the foraging range of the condors, and similar programmes are being initiated in California¹⁴ and planned in Utah³². Publicity measures include a website and near-weekly condor articles in local newspapers¹¹. In 2008 an agreement was struck between the Tejon Ranch and five conservation organisations to preserve 240,000 acres of the 270,000 acre property as an open space in return for not opposing the development of the remaining land, providing a vast amount of foraging habitat for the condor²⁵. Legislation planned to come into force in early 2010 will make it illegal for persons to enter a U.S. national park with a loaded firearm³¹. Conservation Actions Proposed Continue to monitor population trends. Continue the recovery plan to achieve two disjunct, self-sustaining populations of 150 individuals comprising 15 breeding pairs⁴. Identify further potential release sites in southern New Mexico^1,2,6. Resume release programme in Mexico. Maintain and increase the productivity of the captive population^1,6. Continue releases of captive-bred birds^1,6. Maintain suitable habitat^1,6. Continue and expand information and education programmes^1,6. Continue supplying alternative lead-free ammunition to deer hunters. Advocate strongly for a ban on lead ammunition and lobby the Fish and Game Commission to ensure legislation is passed.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix I and II. A large-scale, integrated captive-breeding and reintroduction programme, managed by The Peregrine Fund (at the World Center for Birds of Prey), Los Angeles Zoo, Oregon Zoo and San Diego Wild Animal Park is preventing extinction in the wild. The success of the scheme has seen an increase from one chick hatched in 1988 to an annual hatch of 25-30 birds in recent years¹⁶. The genetic diversity of the population has been maintained through careful distribution and representation of founder genotypes at each captive-breeding facility and reintroduction site. Consequently the current population retains 99.5% of the likely heterozygosity of a wild panmictic population²⁰. "Aversion training" to avoid powerlines and humans is practised⁶. A total of 154 condors were released into the wild between 1992 and 2003¹⁶. Clean carcasses are provided for reintroduced birds to help prevent lead-poisoning, and community education programmes aim to minimise persecution^1,2,4. A huge step has been taken towards eliminating the threat of lead-poisoning with the signing in 2007 of the "Ridley-Tree Condor Preservation Act" which requires the use of non-lead ammunition within the species's range in California and was implemented on 1 July 2008. As of February 2009, 99% of hunters were compliant with the act. The Arizona Game and Fish Department is now distributing safer lead-substitute bullets free of charge to hunters within the foraging range of the condors, and similar programmes are being initiated in California¹⁴ and planned in Utah³². Publicity measures include a website and near-weekly condor articles in local newspapers¹¹. In 2008 an agreement was struck between the Tejon Ranch and five conservation organisations to preserve 240,000 acres of the 270,000 acre property as an open space in return for not opposing the development of the remaining land, providing a vast amount of foraging habitat for the condor²⁵. Legislation planned to come into force in early 2010 will make it illegal for persons to enter a U.S. national park with a loaded firearm³¹.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Continue to monitor population trends. Continue the recovery plan to achieve two disjunct, self-sustaining populations of 150 individuals comprising 15 breeding pairs⁴. Identify further potential release sites in southern New Mexico^1,2,6. Resume release programme in Mexico. Maintain and increase the productivity of the captive population^1,6. Continue releases of captive-bred birds^1,6. Maintain suitable habitat^1,6. Continue and expand information and education programmes^1,6. Continue supplying alternative lead-free ammunition to deer hunters. Advocate strongly for a ban on lead ammunition and lobby the Fish and Game Commission to ensure legislation is passed.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2010. Gymnogyps californianus. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 26 May 2012.
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