Condor chick #1000 has tested its wings with a short flight from its nest cave at Zion National Park/NPS
It was a short flight, and the landing was "ungraceful," according to onlookers, but condor chick #1,000 has stretched its wings and figured out how to fly at Zion National Park.
The chick's flight, spotted on September 25 by two park visitors, marked the first time a wild-hatched chick successfully fledged within Zion National Park since recovery efforts began in the late 1990s, and likely was the first in Zion in more than 100 years, according to park staff.
Chick #1000, or “1K,” is also known as Zion’s Centennial Chick, since 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of Zion National Park.
Park rangers and volunteers are keeping a close eye on chick #1000 since it left the nest cave, and have been regularly observing the chick flapping its long wings. This flapping-of-the-wings exercise routine will help the chick build muscles so future flights are more graceful than its first.
Although most condors take their first flights when they are about six months old, chick #1000 fledged at four-and-a-half months, which is still within the observed age range of a fledged condor.
The chick will continue to be dependent on its parents for the next 12-14 months. Because the adults spend so much time caring for their young, wild condor pairs normally produce one egg every other year.
Currently, 96 condors are known to be flying free in northern Arizona and southern Utah thanks to the efforts of numerous non-profit organizations, zoos, and federal, state, and tribal agencies that formed the Southwest Condor Working Group, and to the voluntary efforts of hunters participating in Arizona and Utah’s lead ammunition reduction programs.
"We are absolutely thrilled that #1000 is doing so well," said Russell Norvell, the avian conservation program coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. "Along with our partners in this effort, we are always happy to see success in the conservation work with this endangered species. Each individual is valued and this success showcases our progress helping California condors recover."
Park officials want to remind rock climbers that all routes on the east face of Angels Landing remain closed until further notice due to condor activity. More information on cliff closures can be found at this page.
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