Shamelessly interrupting your scroll with a story of conservation hope.
These handsome birds are California Condors, a species that nearly went extinct in the 1980s due to persecution, habitat loss, and unintentional poisoning. In a bold effort to save them, biologists captured the remaining 22 wild birds in 1987 and began breeding them in captivity.
As their numbers grew, the
@usfws began looking for suitable reintroduction sites, one of which was the Vermillion Cliffs on the east side of the Grand Canyon. In ‘96, biologists began releasing condors in the Vermillion Cliffs, where they quickly began flying across northern Arizona and southern Utah in their search for dead deer, elk, bison, cattle, roadkill, and other animals to scavenge. Since then, the population has increased to nearly 100 birds! They soar through the Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, and some of the Southwest’s most iconic landscapes. Their ongoing recovery is a testament to the team of govt. agencies, NGOs, foundations, and individuals who’ve dedicated their time and resources to bring the species back. One of the most important stakeholders in the recovery is big game hunters. The #1 threat to condors is accidentally consuming lead bullet fragments left in the carcasses of hunted animals… and later dying from lead poisoning. To avoid poisoning condors, over 90% of the hunters in this region have voluntarily switched to non-lead bullets or remove their carcasses from the field (which also reduces lead poisoning of eagles and other scavengers.)
The
@peregrinefund has been crucial for Condor recovery. They have a captive breeding program in Boise, ID, run the field site in AZ, and have a passionate team dedicated to recovery. Their team was critical during our filming of 1150s remarkable fledgling journey. Thus, it is with great honor, to have three screenings of “The American Southwest” be benefit the
@peregrinefund Condor Program. September 17 at the Magic Lantern in Sun Valley, September 18 at the Egyptian in Boise, and Sept. 25 at the Orpheum in Flagstaff. Please join and help conserve this iconic bird!
