Record 9 wild condor chicks fledged in 2024, as Central California flock continues to grow

Last year was an exceptional milestone for the Central California condor flock, as nine wild chicks fledged from their parents’ nests, “the highest number of chicks (to fledge) in the program’s history,” reported Kelly Sorenson, executive director of Ventana Wildlife Society.

Moreover, along with the release of 12 captive-bred juveniles (six in San Simeon, six at Pinnacles National Park) in the fall — and the fact that only three of the giant birds died in 2024 — the total number of free-flying condors in Central California (released from San Simeon, Big Sur and Pinnacles) has grown to 113, the highest total on record.

In stark contrast, only four chicks fledged in 2023; there were 10 captive juvenile releases and eight condor deaths, bringing the total of free-flying condors up to 100.

“Although we mourn every condor death,” Sorenson said, “2024 marks an incredible event: Wild-fledged condors outnumbered total condor deaths in Central California.”

Condors vaccinated against bird flu

Meanwhile, the wildlife society announced that 70% of the condor flock has been vaccinated against the menacing Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), which has killed an estimated 280 million poultry birds worldwide.

In the U.S., over 20 million egg-laying chickens died from HPAI in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control. An estimated 130 million poultry have died in the U.S. since January 2022.

This particularly virulent strain of bird flu has also killed tens of thousands of pelicans, geese, cranes and swans; additionally, the virus has spread to mammals, including dairy cattle.

The inoculation of condors in Central California — and the development of quarantine pens in the event of an outbreak — are decisive steps in the safeguarding of the critically endangered birds that boast 9-1/2-foot wingspans and can fly up to 15,000 feet.

Indeed, when HPAI arrived in Arizona in 2023, 25 condors in the Utah-Arizona flock succumbed, essentially kick-starting the VWS vaccination effort in California.

Success of Non-Lead Ammunition Program

Why were there only three condor deaths in 2024? The partial answer, according to VWS, is that many hunters and ranchers are “switching to non-lead (copper) ammunition,” reducing condors’ mortality after ingesting lead from animal carcasses.

Lead poisoning has been linked to the mortality of condors for years, leading to Assembly Bill 711, which sought to ban lead ammunition for hunting in California. It went into law on July 1, 2019.

The wildlife society’s Free Non-Lead Ammunition Program offers two boxes of ammo per household to qualified hunters and ranchers within the condor habitats.

Since 2012, the VWS has provided 16,615 boxes of non-lead ammunition to hunters and ranchers.

More information is available at www.ventanaws.org/ammunition.html.

This story was originally published February 2, 2025 at 11:00 AM.