California condor (Gymnogyps californianus), Cedar Breaks National Monument, 2013.

This New World vulture is the largest land bird in North America and one of the world's rarest bird species. Sadly, the condor became extinct in the wild in 1987 which means that every condor you see has been captively-bred and reintroduced into either northern Arizona or southern Utah, coastal mountains of central and southern California or northern Baja California. It is the only surviving member of its genus, Gymnogyps, and listed as critically endangered. Poaching, habitat destruction and lead poisoning caused condor numbers to plummet in the 20th century. That's when a conservation plan was put into place by the US government that led to the capture of all remaining wild condors - there were only 27 individuals - in 1987. These last wild condors were bred at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and the Los Angeles Zoo and, beginning in 1991, their descendents were introduced into the wild and monitored. Today 425 individuals exist in the wild or in captivity.

bird birdwatching wild wildlife condor california condor animal endangered captive breeding cedar breaks national monument gymnogyps californianus condor numbers san diego zoo safari park individuals los angeles zoo new world vulture land bird bird species baja california north america california habitat destruction conservation plan national parks gallery national monuments utah brian head arizona vulture

2013

National Parks Gallery

https://npgallery.nps.gov/

Public Domain Dedication