California condor chick No. 1,000 fledges at Zion National Park
By Eugenne Moisa
Condor chick No. 1,000 has set another milestone for the California Condor Recovery Program. On Sept. 25 it took its first flight from its nest cave in Zion National Park, becoming the first wild-hatched chick to successfully fledge within Zion National Park since recovery efforts began in the late 1990s and likely the first in Zion in over a hundred years. It is also known as “Zion’s Centennial Chick” since 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of Zion National Park.
Two park visitors witnessed the chick’s first flight and immediately reported the news to National Park Service staff who confirmed the news. Although the chick’s first flight was described as “ungraceful,” it nonetheless managed to land safely. The chick is doing well and being tended to by both parents, condors 409 (mother) and 523 (father).
Park rangers and volunteers are keeping a close eye on the chick since it left the nest cave and are regularly observing the chick flapping its long wings. This flapping-of-the-wings exercise routine will help the chick build muscles so that future flights are more graceful than its first. Although most condors take their first flights when they are about 6 months old, chick No. 1,000 fledged at 4.5 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 flying free in northern Arizona and southern Utah thanks to the tireless efforts of numerous non-profit organizations and zoos and federal, state, and tribal agencies that form the Southwest Condor Working Group as well as the voluntary efforts of hunters participating in Arizona’s and Utah’s lead ammunition reduction programs.
“We are absolutely thrilled that No. 1,000 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.”
All routes on the east face of Angels Landing remain closed until further notice due to condor activity. For more information on cliff closures, please visit nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/climbing.htm.
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