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Known as "Pinns", Condor #286 was captured in March 2009 after biologists noticed he was suffering from the effects of lead poisoning. Pinns was sent to the LA Zoo for treatment, but veterinarians were not able to save him. Pinns will be remembered for his leadership at Pinnacles and for establishing the first nesting territory in that region in over 100 years.
Pinns and his cohort were released at Pinnacles National Monument - the first release at that site. But in their first spring, biologists noticed that several condors were perching on power poles. Power poles pose a huge safety risk for large birds. If a condor touches both metal posts at either end of the crosspiece simultaneously, then a huge amount of electricity travels through them, electrocuting them instantly.
The condors at Pinnacles who were the "ringleaders" and perched frequently on power poles were permanently returned to captivity. Pinns was a follower - perching on crosspieces only after other condors were already there - so it was decided that he could have another chance in the wild. He was released for the second time in Big Sur as we hoped that a new environment would encourage him to avoid his old dangerous patterns. We are happy to say that he was never seen perched on a crosspiece after his Big Sur release.
Pinns and his cohort were released at Pinnacles National Monument - the first release at that site. But in their first spring, biologists noticed that several condors were perching on power poles. Power poles pose a huge safety risk for large birds. If a condor touches both metal posts at either end of the crosspiece simultaneously, then a huge amount of electricity travels through them, electrocuting them instantly.
The condors at Pinnacles who were the "ringleaders" and perched frequently on power poles were permanently returned to captivity. Pinns was a follower - perching on crosspieces only after other condors were already there - so it was decided that he could have another chance in the wild. He was released for the second time in Big Sur as we hoped that a new environment would encourage him to avoid his old dangerous patterns. We are happy to say that he was never seen perched on a crosspiece after his Big Sur release.
