Katie’s Blog
Topic: Helping Condors Relearn Their Wild Ways
Summary:
One of the greatest environmental stories of the past quarter-century is the saving of California Condors from extinction. Although the giant birds were saved, they were only able to survive in captivity and depended on human beings for food and protection from the elements. Attempts to release birds back to their natural habitat were met with failure as the birds resorted to campground-raiding and dumpster-diving rather than hunting and scavenging in the wild. The eventual solution was to release birds slowly with the assistance of human helpers as opposed to “hard release” techniques that sent inexperienced birds out to the wild. Releasing birds into “feeding situations” with other wild condors provides instruction to the once-captive birds. Eventually the birds learn to fly, feed and nest on their own. This technique is now being extended to other endangered species.
Opinion/Reflection:
I was impressed with the persistence shown by the environmentalists to come up with a solution to the condor extinction problem. It is encouraging to know that other species may benefit from the innovative solutions devised to help the condors. I am concerned about species facing extinction and am excited that they can be successfully returned to their natural habitat
Questions:
1. Why did it take scientists so long to discover the successful technique?
2. How many condors did not survive previous efforts?
3. What other species will benefit from this technique?
4. What other challenges do wild condors face?
Opinion/Reflection: I also find the persistence that the environmentalists had very interesting and inspiring. However, it is upsetting that animals on our planet would rather dumpster-dive than scavenge for food on their own. I always figured that humans were the only ones in this ecosystem that were lazy, and wanted to take the easy way out. It genuinely interests me that birds would act this way, yet is slightly reassuring in the sense that we aren't the only bad ones in this ecosystem! I also am excited to see if this new technique works for other endangered species.
ReplyDeleteExpansion:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://dangerouswildlife.com/images/california-condor.jpg&imgrefurl=http://dangerouswildlife.com/Bird_Brains.html&usg=__szLsG1Ms_LUserDvapHgfTFE11Q=&h=450&w=305&sz=30&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=fqxcs3gCj9LUzM:&tbnh=166&tbnw=111&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcalifornia%2Bcondor%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D653%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=132&vpy=90&dur=512&hovh=273&hovw=185&tx=135&ty=130&ei=rLaaTP7xJMH6lwfN9-HcCQ&oei=rLaaTP7xJMH6lwfN9-HcCQ&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0
That is a picture of a California condor, I figured I would research it so I could have a mental image of what the birds looked like while reading Katie's article.
I have been aware of this dilemma, that condors were being released into the wild without the proper skills they need to survive. I also think it is good that the scientists found a way to set them free knowing that they would stay alive.
ReplyDelete1. I think the reason the scientists could not find an appropriate method was because they assumed that the birds would adapt to their new surroundings quickly; however, this was clearly not the case.
2. Not sure, but I would say the majority of them died.
3. Before they try to use this technique for other species, they should first study how each species adapts to their surroundings and then decide when they should be released.
4. One complication the condors might face could be food. Since they are not used to hunting in the wild, they will not get enough food, and slowly die off.
I think it is very good that they have finally found a succesful technique, and that the condors were saved from extinction.
ReplyDelete1. They had no way to test it out originally.
2.
3. Any other endangered species.
4. Adapting in the wild