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Shadow (209) was raised by Andean Condors and, after his release, hung out with his cohort members, The Great One (199) and Amigo (204). As juvenile condors, they went everywhere together, occasionally getting into trouble (not unlike human teenagers with a lot of extra time on their hands ). In 2002, Shadow (209) gave our biologists a scare when he went missing. We tracked him using radio telemetry to Limekiln State Park, but could not see where he was. It is unusual for a condor to stay perched for almost a week and we were worried he was injured. Shadow (209)'s signal was tracked to a stand of gigantic redwoods and we realized that even if he needed help, we couldn't safely get to him. Later, we saw him looking healthy and we never figured out why he hid in the redwood shadows for so many days.
Shadow (209) then paired with Tiny (236). Together, they successfully raised and fledged two biological chicks in the wild, Miracle (538) and Junipero (663). Shadow (209) and Tiny (236) later separated, and Shadow (209) briefly paired with Wild 1 (231). After not producing chicks for several years, they split and Shadow (209) re-paired with Condor (310). After a very short fling, they too parted ways and he paired with Traveler (171).
During their time together, Shadow (209) and Traveler (171) were the most dominant pair in Big Sur, and spent the majority of their time at the Big Sur Sanctuary, showing the rest of the flock who’s boss. In 2022, Traveler (171) spent 2.5 months in captivity at LA Zoo recovering from lead poisoning. Shadow (209) and Traveler (171) were reunited in September, 2022, when Traveler (171) was re-released to the wild after receiving a clean bill of health. With Traveler (171) by his side once more, Shadow (209) continued to assert his dominance in the flock and command the respect he deserved.
In February, 2023, an untagged, mystery chick showed-up to the feeding slope at the Big Sur Sanctuary. This chick was seen hanging out with both Traveler (171) and Shadow (209) on our explore.org Big Sur Sanctuary Cam. This chick, Chull (1180), did turn out to be Traveler (171) and Shadow (209)'s offspring!
Later in 2023 Traveler (171) disappeared and did not return. Shadow (209) then paired with young condor, Minerva (881), and they immediately began displaying nesting behavior. Minerva (881) is a first-time-mother but Shadow (209) has a lot of experience when it comes to being a dad. During the 2024 nesting season, the pair were successful in hatching Condor Chick (1317). We are excited that this recent match resulted in a healthy and strong addition to the central California flock!
Shadow (209) then paired with Tiny (236). Together, they successfully raised and fledged two biological chicks in the wild, Miracle (538) and Junipero (663). Shadow (209) and Tiny (236) later separated, and Shadow (209) briefly paired with Wild 1 (231). After not producing chicks for several years, they split and Shadow (209) re-paired with Condor (310). After a very short fling, they too parted ways and he paired with Traveler (171).
During their time together, Shadow (209) and Traveler (171) were the most dominant pair in Big Sur, and spent the majority of their time at the Big Sur Sanctuary, showing the rest of the flock who’s boss. In 2022, Traveler (171) spent 2.5 months in captivity at LA Zoo recovering from lead poisoning. Shadow (209) and Traveler (171) were reunited in September, 2022, when Traveler (171) was re-released to the wild after receiving a clean bill of health. With Traveler (171) by his side once more, Shadow (209) continued to assert his dominance in the flock and command the respect he deserved.
In February, 2023, an untagged, mystery chick showed-up to the feeding slope at the Big Sur Sanctuary. This chick was seen hanging out with both Traveler (171) and Shadow (209) on our explore.org Big Sur Sanctuary Cam. This chick, Chull (1180), did turn out to be Traveler (171) and Shadow (209)'s offspring!
Later in 2023 Traveler (171) disappeared and did not return. Shadow (209) then paired with young condor, Minerva (881), and they immediately began displaying nesting behavior. Minerva (881) is a first-time-mother but Shadow (209) has a lot of experience when it comes to being a dad. During the 2024 nesting season, the pair were successful in hatching Condor Chick (1317). We are excited that this recent match resulted in a healthy and strong addition to the central California flock!