Monday, October 21, 2013

Condor deaths from lead poisoning this year is unprecedented


A California Condor flies above Big Sur.

Condors, with splayed, finger-like wing tips and wingspans of up to 10 feet, were listed as a federally endangered species in 1967.  There are now about 60 birds and seven breeding pairs in the two flocks at Pinnacles National Park and Big Sur.

The birds cannot reproduce fast enough to make up for the numbers that are dying from lead poisoning. The birds, which can live as long as 60 years, do not begin breeding until they are 7 years old and then generally lay only a single egg every other year.

From: SF Gate