Wild fire destroys California condor release centre and kills at least one chick

On Saturday, June 21 lightning strikes sparked 3 fires at Grimes Point and two other backcountry areas in Big Sur. The fires grew rapidly and by late afternoon had cut-off road access to the condor site. All the Ventana Wildlife Society (Who manage the condor centre) field staff evacuated safely.

On June 22nd there were still 8 condors in the captive holding pen at the release site and the only evacuation option was to use a helicopter. The Coast Guard agreed to assist in evacuating the condors. Eight condors were placed in crates and were loaded and the Helicopter left for Monterey, to the Pinnacles Release pen.

The Big Sur fire consumed the upper half of the Condor Sanctuary, which would mean it could have burned through the entire condor rearing and release facilities and bunkhouse cabin.

Chick killed
Sadly it has been confirmed that one chick, recently hatched by a pair of free flying condors that nest in the canyon, has been killed by the fire. It is thought that all the adult free flying condors that live in the canyon did manage to escape the fire.