BIG SUR, Calif- Biologists at the Ventana Wildlife Society released condor 375 on Friday, May 1 from their condor sanctuary in Big Sur, California. This release marks the return of one of two condors that were gunshot and lead-poisoned this past March.
Condor 375 was monitored over the weekend and she has been doing well since her release.
"We are extremely pleased to see condor 375 flying free in Big Sur once again because that's where she belongs." said Joe Burnett, Senior Wildlife Biologist.
Condor 375, a 4-year old juvenile female, was trapped by Ventana Wildlife Society biologists in Big Sur on March 26 for a routine blood-lead test. Biologists soon learned she had a very high lead value and was suffering from lead poisoning.
The ailing condor was transferred to the Avian and Exotic Animal Clinic in Monterey to undergo a medical exam by Veterinarian, Dr. Amy Wells.
X-rays taken by Dr. Wells revealed 3 shotgun pellets embedded in her tissue, two in the wing and one in the thigh. This was an unexpected discovery which was unrelated to condor 375's lead poisoning condition.
Condor 375 was given medicine to counteract the lead poisoning and then immediately transferred from Monterey to Los Angeles Zoo for recovery. During her treatment it was determined that the gunshot wounds would not cause her any long-term physical impairment and her lead levels were brought down successfully after three weeks on a vigorous treatment schedule of once daily injections that removed lead from her bloodstream.
Condor 286, the other gunshot and lead-poisoned condor, is still recovering at Los Angeles Zoo from his severe exposure to lead and his condition is still very much "critical".
Condor 286, an adult male, was captured in early March by biologists with Ventana Wildlife Society when it was determined that he was suffering from a severe case of lead-poisoning.
Condor 286 was transferred to undergo treatment at Los Angeles Zoo's animal hospital. When radio-graphed by Veterinarian staff at Los Angeles Zoo they discovered 15 shotgun pellets lodged in his wing and body, also unrelated to the lead-poisoning condition.
"Luckily, the pellets didn't cause any long-term physical impairment to condor 286, but his battle with lead poisoning is far from over. We are still unsure whether he will ever return to the wild and reunite with his mate, as his survival is in the balance." said Joe Burnett, Senior Wildlife Biologist.
As a result of these two condor shootings, a $40,000 reward was assembled thanks to Defenders of Wildlife, the Center for Biological Diversity, Humane Society of the United States, and Ventana Wildlife Society donors.
"We don't yet know what leads, if any, have been generated from this reward so far but we certainly hope that the person or persons responsible are caught and punished accordingly", said Kelly Sorenson, Ventana Wildlife Society Executive Director.
Condor 375
