Official Blog of the L.A. Zoo

Learn about exciting Zoo developments, including animal updates, events, expert perspectives, and field reports on our conservation initiatives at the Zoo and around the world.

PART 3 Adventures in Recovery

Adventures in Recovery Life with California condors has been filled with ups and downs for both keepers. It has demanded sacrifices of time and energy, and sometimes more. Mike recalls with energy one of the most memorable weekends of his career. He’d been invited by Mike Wallace to make a trip to the eastern side of Mount El Diablo in Baja to check on some condors. “So we drive down there and work,” he says.

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Part 2 The Mating Game

The usual approach to pairing condors for breeding was to get them in the cage together as early as possible so they had the longest amount of time to get used to each other before breeding season. “When you put birds together in the non-breeding season, they really have no reason to be interested in each other,” Mike explains. “They’re competing for perches, food, the attention of birds next door.

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Zoo Update: October 2021

As summer transitions to fall, I’m reminded of the adaptations and changes of our local native ecosystems and the importance of our care and awareness in protecting these vital habitats to ensure sustainability and a cooperative environment for flora and fauna to thrive. 

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