California Condors

The Big Sur coast has always provided nature lovers with an abundance of breathtaking scenery. But one of the most majestic elements of this coastal landscape, the California condor, nearly disappeared entirely in the early 1980s. Down to as few as 22 individuals in 1982, the condor population became the subject of one of the most radical restoration efforts ever undertaken—all the remaining wild birds were captured as part of an ambitious captive breeding program. That program, managed by the Ventana Wildlife Society in conjunction with the National Park Service, has now put more than 300 of these awe-inspiring birds back into the wild, both along the Central Coast and at Pinnacles National Monument in the inner coast range. Features interview with Kelly Sorensen of the Ventana Wildlife Society.

Video producer: Rick Bacigalupi

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Pets & Animals

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