In 1982, there were 22 California condors left alive. Every last one was pulled from the wild. The wild population was gone.
This year the Oregon Zooโs recovery program hatched 15 chicks โ the most in 23 years of trying. Ten are in nest boxes right now at the Jonsson Center in rural Clackamas County. Five hatched under foster parents in Boise. Two more came from San Diego Zoo eggs.
Nicole LaGreco, who runs the program, said they currently have 12 sets of condor parents tending chicks at once. Nearly a full house.
The world condor population is now around 600. More than 100 Oregon Zoo birds have already gone out for release. Most of the 600 are flying free.
Twenty-two in 1982. Six hundred now.
What recovery story near you never gets covered?