The highlight of our hike on the South Kaibab trail in the Grand Canyon was seeing a California condor soaring above us. These are the largest birds in North America, with a wingspan of over nine feet and a face only a mother could love.
California condors were extremely close to extinction, due to pesticide use and loss of habitat. In the 1980’s, only 27 birds were alive. Scientists undertook a captive breeding program and reintroduced them to their natural habitats. Now there are over 350 California condors. Each bird is tagged to track their whereabouts and fate.
The return of California condors to the wild is even more of a miracle than that of the bald eagle. Both species play key roles in their respective ecosystems. We need to remain vigilant to be sure that these birds can continue to thrive.
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