Condor Watch Talk

RIP Red25

  • vjbakker by vjbakker scientist

    From Condor Cave, the USFWS Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/notes/the-condor-cave/the-loss-of-condor-125/904097099604614
    Reposted on ours: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Condor-Watch/213592792168601

    The Loss of Condor #125
    August 18, 2014 at 12:12pm

    It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of California condor #125. Condor #125 was found dead on Friday, July 18th, at the Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge due to a suspected bobcat attack. He was a 19 year-old breeding male that had been paired with female condor #111 since 2003.

    Condor #125 hatched at the San Diego Safari Park in 1995 and was released into the southern California the following year. In 2003, at eight years of age, he paired with female condor #111 and nested for the first time near the Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge. Condors #125 and #111 established their nesting territory in an area off of Hopper Canyon in the Los Padres National Forest. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologists refer to the ridgeline they use for nesting as Koford’s Ridge, named after pivotal California condor researcher and conservationist Carl Koford.

    Condors #111 and #125 bred eleven times over twelve years, making them the longest lasting and most prolific pair of condors in the southern California flock. Despite many nest failures early on in their relationship, they successfully fledged four chicks. Three of their four offspring, condors #493, #560, and #627, are current members of the southern California population. True to form, condors #111 and #125 successfully nested again this year and their chick hatched on April 6, 2014.

    On July 16th, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife Biologists Joseph Brandt and Geoff Grisdale along with Los Angeles Zoo Condor Keeper Michael Clark, conducted the three month health exam at the pair’s Koford’s Ridge nest. The chick had a healthy weight and demeanor and both adults were observed displaying typical protective behavior near the nest site. Unfortunately, just two days after the nest entry and exam, #125 was predated.

    At this time, we are relieved to report that #111 and #125’s chick is still doing well. Through the generous support of the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, a nest camera has been installed in this nest. This allows us to monitor the chick’s development and #111’s attendance following the loss of her mate. During the latter stages of the nestling period, nest caves are normally attended by adults less than 5% of daylight hours and adults are present in the nest vicinity only about 25% of the daylight hours (Snyder and Snyder 2000). At this age, the chick is able to regulate its body temperature and does not require constant attendance or brooding by its parents. As we have witnessed from similar scenarios in central California, it is possible for a single parent to provide food and instruction to an older nestling pre- and post-fledging. Our main concern at this time is the threat that other condors and golden eagles may pose to the chick.

    Barring complications, we are confident that female #111 can provide ample care and go on to successfully fledge their chick despite the loss of her mate. While it is always difficult to lose a member of the flock, especially a mature breeding adult, we are inspired by the resilience of #111 and will always remember #125 for his significant contributions to California condor recovery.

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  • wreness by wreness moderator

    enter image description here

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  • vjbakker by vjbakker scientist

    Be sure to check out the bold young bird who is attempting to step into 125's footsteps! https://goo.gl/IGdlmG

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  • wreness by wreness moderator

    Aw... that is so nice to see! And so sweet 😃 Kudos to Red 11 for finding a younger guy. (Can I say that out loud?)

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  • vjbakker by vjbakker scientist

    I was going to say the same. She's going to need to show him the ropes. For heaven's sake, he's still pimply faced! I guess we know who's going to rule the roost in that household 😃

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