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In a year of trials and tribulations, many of us could identify with Iniko, the condor chick that delighted viewers on our webcam, powered by explore.org. After all, her name means “born during troubled times” and was suggested by camera viewers. Sure, 2020 started off fine for Iniko, snug in her redwood cavity under the care of the most prominent pair in the population. But the good times would not last.
The Dolan Wildfire swept through one August night, taking her father Kingpin among the nine free-flying condors that were lost. The flames were hot for Iniko as well, but she managed to survive in her cavernous nest. As Redwood Queen rose to the task of being a single parent, a new challenge emerged. An unmated male condor attacked the nest, possibly seeing an opportunity to claim a vacant territory. Iniko was force-fledged from the nest during the scuffle.
Redwood Queen fought off the intruder, but Iniko’s prospects seemed dim huddled there on the ground with only one parent. Our concern grew as time passed and the chick remained vulnerable, even showing a slight limp. The field crew moved in on October 19th and rescued Iniko, hiking her carefully out of the canyon and transporting her to Los Angeles Zoo for treatment and care.
Iniko will be returned to the wild on December 4 2021. As we watch her spread her wings over the central coast for the first time, it will be a pleasant reminder of the progress we are making toward condor recovery. Perhaps others will be reminded of how they too will rise again through these troubled times.
The Dolan Wildfire swept through one August night, taking her father Kingpin among the nine free-flying condors that were lost. The flames were hot for Iniko as well, but she managed to survive in her cavernous nest. As Redwood Queen rose to the task of being a single parent, a new challenge emerged. An unmated male condor attacked the nest, possibly seeing an opportunity to claim a vacant territory. Iniko was force-fledged from the nest during the scuffle.
Redwood Queen fought off the intruder, but Iniko’s prospects seemed dim huddled there on the ground with only one parent. Our concern grew as time passed and the chick remained vulnerable, even showing a slight limp. The field crew moved in on October 19th and rescued Iniko, hiking her carefully out of the canyon and transporting her to Los Angeles Zoo for treatment and care.
Iniko will be returned to the wild on December 4 2021. As we watch her spread her wings over the central coast for the first time, it will be a pleasant reminder of the progress we are making toward condor recovery. Perhaps others will be reminded of how they too will rise again through these troubled times.
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