First wild-hatched condor in Big Sur dies

The first wild-hatched condor in Big Sur has died.

Ventana, or #444, was the oldest living first-generation condor born in the world after the California condor population reached near extinction in the 1980s.

The Ventana Wildlife Society, one of the main conservation groups to re-build the condor population in the country, confirmed that Ventana was being treated at the Los Angeles Zoo and died the first week in September.

Researchers are still looking into the possibility that her death was caused by another lead poisoning incident. The raptor was treated for lead poisoning at the Oakland Zoo in May.

Researchers from Ventana Wildlife Society say that the more efficient condors become at finding food, the more risk there is for them to be exposed several times a year to lead found in carcasses. That lead typically comes from spent ammunition.

“The Ventana Wildlife Society believes that using non-lead ammunition preserves the hunters and ranchers livelihood and tradition in a safer way for the condors,” the organization said.

The state previously banned the use of lead ammunition for big-game/non-game hunting within range of the California condor, and is set to ban the use of lead ammunition for any hunting purposes anywhere in California by July 2019.

A series of guided hikes are being offered at Pinnacles National park to help raise funds for condor conservation efforts. More information about those hikes is here.