Posted on 08/27/2020 1:37:30 PM PDT by nickcarraway
Wildlife biologist Joe Burnett was out in Big Sur on Wednesday using a radio transmitter to search for California Condors missing in the wake of the Dolan Fire.
Wildlife biologist Joe Burnett was out in Big Sur on Wednesday using a radio transmitter to search for California Condors missing in the wake of the Dolan Fire.
So far Burnett has been able to locate 90 members of the 100 bird flock and he is hopeful he will find the rest.
"Their instincts are strong but even the strongest bird can occasionally make a wrong decision and potentially get caught," said Burnett.
The fire has surpassed 20,000 acres and in the early morning hours of August 21, it came through Ventana Wildlife Society's Condor Sanctuary.
The fire destroyed the research center and the condor release pen. The flames also burned over the condor cam VWS was using to monitor the sanctuary during but before that happened they watched it come through an area where four condor chicks were in their nests.
Burnett said condor chicks have survived past fires at the sanctuary thanks to their parents choosing great locations for nests.
"They predominately on the coast use coastal redwoods, which are naturally fire-resistant, their bark and they have survived countless fires, and the condors nest high up enough inside the redwoods in cavities that they tend to protect the chicks," said Burnett.
The active fire is preventing Burnett from getting into the sanctuary to check on the chicks. He is hopeful that the chicks' parents have already returned to the nests to reunite with the chicks, but its information he won't know until he can get into the remote area. Burnett suspects the other 10 missing birds are hiding out in canyons along the coast.
VWS has been integral in the recovery of the California Condor. In 1982 the population reached an all-time low of 22 living individuals, since then captive breeding programs have increased the population to 518. Of those birds, 337 are living in the wild and 100 of those wild birds are part of the Ventana Flock.
On Thursday VWS is holding an auction fundraiser to support the rebuilding process.
"Donations right now are absolutely critical, we are trying to raise $500,000 so that we can completely rebuild the condor sanctuary and maybe even make it more fire safe the next time around," said VWS executive director Kelly Sorenson.
For more information on how to donate visit www.ventanaws.org
If only birds had a way to get away from the fire. If only...
Good point....And how much money does it cost us to keep those filthy, rotten birds around.
Look in Joe Biden’s basement.
The chicks may not be able to escape.
Huh? I thought the animals wore the transmitters. Unless the condors' transmitters only turn on when they receive a signal to save power.
Just imagine the updrafts from the fire.
Poor things ever had a chance, living up in the mountains all buck toothed and naked.
“The chicks may not be able to escape”
A quick Google search would seem to indicate these birds give birth in no particular season. So it should not be some horrific setback to the population.
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