Big Sur condor chick who survived fires found dead
Big Sur condor chick who survived fires found dead
23 December 2008
published by www.sfgate.com
USA — The body of a nine-month-old condor chick found dead in a ravine is on its way to the San Diego Zoo’s pathology lab so the cause of death can be determined.
Condor 475 was one of three chicks hatched by the Big Sur flock this year. The others are still alive.
The male chick had survived the fire that ravaged the condors’ nesting areas in Big Sur this summer.
Recently biologists had seen the chick making short flights in the area around its nest. They found his body Sunday after a transmitter emitted a sound indicating he could be dead.
Condors chicks in the wild have a 50 percent survival rate.
After the population dipped to 22 in 1982, captive breeding has increased the number of condors to 326 across the southwest.
