Return of the Condor: Release of Captive-Bred Birds into the Redwood Coast
Soon, the California condor will soar throughout it's native homeland.
The northern California-based Yurok Tribe was recently granted permission to release condors bred in captivity back into their native lands of the Redwood Coast, according to The Associated Press (AP).
Tribal biologist Chris West said that the first releases of the birds could come in the next one to three years. At this time, seven sites are under consideration on Redwood National and State Parks, along with private lands within 50 miles of each other, just south of the Klamath River, according to Fox News.
The tribe is hoping to gather private funding for a project in the case that federal funds are unavailable. West notes that the initiative could cost around $400,000.
Also known as North America's largest land bird, condor's are sacred animals to the area, with feathers that play a traditional role in many ceremonial dances and regalia of the Yurok tribe.
"When a species like condor or eagle gives you material for your regalia, it is considered their spirit is in that, too. They are singing with you, and praying with you," said tribal microbiologist Tiana Williams, via the AP. "We can get feathers from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, but it's not the same thing as being able to go out there and collect the feathers we need from condors flying over our own skies."
This release could further help reduce the dwindling numbers of condors that live in the wild. According to John McCamman, condor coordinator for Fish and Wildlife in Sacramento, Calif., there are just over 400 California condors left in the world, with 230 living in the wild.
As these birds begin making their return, let's just hope that Confucianism doesn't get in the way. (Jin Yong ... the Condor Trilogy)
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