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Cosmo (222)'s story is comparable to a television soap opera. She spends most of her time with large groups of condors and her affable nature and fun-loving ways meant that many male condors were interested in her when she matured. In 2008, she chose to pair with Amigo (204) and they fostered Fuego (470) together. Their partnership came to an end in 2010 when Amigo (204) was severely injured and had to be taken to the zoo for care and recovery. Even before Amigo (204)'s injuries, Crush (251) spent every spare moment hanging around Cosmo (222), waiting for his chance. Amigo (204)'s prolonged absence in the zoo resulted in Cosmo (222) re-pairing with Crush (251).
To add to the drama, Cosmo (222) and Crush (251) spent a lot of time with Pinnacles National Park (PNP) Condor 306. Cosmo had been seen holding out her wings and showing off around PNP 306: this display is typically performed by male condors when courting females, but in this case, biologists suspect that Cosmo (222) was just asserting her dominance over the younger female. The two ladies never showed jealousy over the split attentions of Crush (251), however. The three condors, Cosmo (222), Crush (251), and PNP 306 formed a trio and raised Poppy (664) and condor 708. Both chicks' parents were Crush (251) and PNP 306 (determined using genetic information), but Cosmo (222) dedicated her time to help raise each chick as well. Sadly, PNP 306 died in 2013 (the cause was a strongly suspected case of lead poisoning) and although Cosmo (222) and Crush (251) continued to care for her remaining chick, condor 708, this chick died shortly after PNP 306. Poor Cosmo (222) was struck by tragedy again a few years later when her mate Crush (251) died of lead poisoning. She then repaired with (PNP) Condor 351, but was once again struck by tragedy when PNP 351 flew into a power line and died.
To add to the drama, Cosmo (222) and Crush (251) spent a lot of time with Pinnacles National Park (PNP) Condor 306. Cosmo had been seen holding out her wings and showing off around PNP 306: this display is typically performed by male condors when courting females, but in this case, biologists suspect that Cosmo (222) was just asserting her dominance over the younger female. The two ladies never showed jealousy over the split attentions of Crush (251), however. The three condors, Cosmo (222), Crush (251), and PNP 306 formed a trio and raised Poppy (664) and condor 708. Both chicks' parents were Crush (251) and PNP 306 (determined using genetic information), but Cosmo (222) dedicated her time to help raise each chick as well. Sadly, PNP 306 died in 2013 (the cause was a strongly suspected case of lead poisoning) and although Cosmo (222) and Crush (251) continued to care for her remaining chick, condor 708, this chick died shortly after PNP 306. Poor Cosmo (222) was struck by tragedy again a few years later when her mate Crush (251) died of lead poisoning. She then repaired with (PNP) Condor 351, but was once again struck by tragedy when PNP 351 flew into a power line and died.
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