California Condor Recovery Program

The video discusses the history and conservation efforts of the California condor, North America's largest flying land bird. Once widespread, their population declined due to human activities like poisoning and habitat disruption. A captive breeding program was initiated in the 1980s to save the species. Despite successes in increasing their numbers, challenges like lead poisoning and environmental trash persist. The goal is to establish a self-sustaining wild population, with ongoing efforts to mitigate threats and ensure their survival.

What was the historical range of the California Condor?

• From Mexico to Canada

• From Florida to Texas

• From Alaska to Hawaii

• From New York to California

What was one of the early threats to the California Condor population?

• Deforestation

• Climate change

• Hunting for feathers

• Poisoned carcasses left by settlers

By what year had the California Condor population declined to just 22 individuals in the wild?

• 2000

• 1967

• 1982

• 1990

What was the primary goal of the US Fish and Wildlife Service's captive breeding program?

• To create a zoo exhibit

• To establish a self-sustaining wild population

• To study condor behavior in captivity

• To sell condors as pets

How long did it take from the start of the breeding program until the first condor was released back into the wild?

• 5 years

• 20 years

• 10 years

• 15 years

What is one method used to prepare captive-bred condors for release into the wild?

• Keeping them in small cages

• Powerpole aversion training

• Teaching them to sing

• Feeding them human food

As of the latest update, how many California Condors are soaring over California, Arizona, Utah, and Mexico?

• 150

• 100

• 50

• 200

What is a major ongoing threat to the California Condor population?

• Habitat loss

• Lead poisoning

• Climate change

• Predation by other birds

What is one of the proposed solutions to help make the condor population self-sustaining?

• Switching to non-lead ammunition

• Building more zoos

• Introducing new predators

• Increasing human interaction

What is the ultimate goal of the US Fish and Wildlife Condor recovery program?

• To have a population that is truly wild and free

• To create a new species of condor

• To sell condors to other countries

• To keep condors in captivity forever