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One of last original condors<br>killed by a California poacher

One of the last original California condors captured in the 1980s as part of an effort to save the species has been killed by a poacher.

Adult condor 8 spreads her wings during the bird’s release in 2000. Two weeks ago, the condor was found dead in rural California. (Photo by Scott Frier, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

The condor, called a "matriarch of the captive-breeding program," was found dead on Feb. 13 in a remote area of southern Kern County, Calif.

"The death of this majestic bird is a great tragedy and a tremendous loss," Interior Secretary Gale Norton said. "While we have had great success in our condor recovery efforts to date, we cannot accept the needless loss of any of these great birds. We are actively pursuing a full investigation of this matter."

It’s the third condor death in the past six months. In Arizona, condors were found dead in late August and November, both on the north side of Grand Canyon in Kaibab National Forest.

The Arizona bird killed in August was found south of Jacob Lake and northwest of Forest Road 205C. The bird found in November was found dead along Forest Road 422 near milepost 27 north of Big Springs. Rewards were offered for information on the crimes.

Now, California officials are dealing with the death of one of their valued condors, identified as "Adult Condor 8."

"This unnecessary death at the hands of a poacher marks a sad day for California," said Mary D. Nichols, California resources secretary. "We have lost one of the last wild condors, but we remain committed to bringing back these magnificent birds from the edge of extinction. I call on the public to support us in that effort and also help us find the poacher responsible for this senseless killing."

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, working closely with the California Department of Fish and Game, is investigating the killing. A necropsy performed in an Ashland, Ore., forensics laboratory confirmed the bird was killed by gunshot. No arrests have been made and a reward is being offered for information.

Adult Condor 8 was captured in 1986 in a last-ditch effort to save the species from extinction. She spent 14 years in captivity in the captive-breeding program and was the first of the original wild birds to be released in April 2000.

The condor was believed to be more than 30 years old. She produced 12 offspring in captivity.

With the death, only 79 birds remain in the wild. Another 118 are in captivity at the San Diego Wild Animal Park and the Los Angeles Zoo.

The California condor is listed as an endangered species and is protected by law. Violation of the Federal Endangered Species Act carries a maximum penalty of one year confinement and a fine of $100,000.

"We will not let the tragic death of AC-8 slow the forward momentum of condor recovery," said Marc Weitzel, project leader of the Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex and the California Condor Recovery Program. "AC-8’s legacy will carry on. Condors are exhibiting breeding behavior in the California and Arizona populations and we fully anticipate wild-born condors again in the near future."


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