Condors Released

Endangered species

Eight endangered California condors were released in the last week of August into the remote backcountry of the Los Padres National Forest. The releases were the fifth in the 10-year, $15 million Condor Recovery Program to save the giant vultures from extinction.

Thirteen condors now fly free in Southern California, while 91 vultures remain in captivity. Three more releases are scheduled for this year, including one north of the Grand Canyon in Arizona.

The condors have undergone aversion training to teach them to avoid power poles and people - attractions that have hindered past release efforts.