VENTANA WILDLIFE SOCIETY
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Phoenix (477) was the best surprise we ever had! We knew that his parents, The Great One (199) and Wild 1 (231), were spending a lot of time in the remote Big Sur backcountry, but we were unable to confirm that an egg had been laid for many months. The Great One (199) and Wild One (231) did an awesome job and chose a pristine nest site in one of Big Sur's unique redwood trees. We entered the nest only once: a biologist peered into the nest cavity and was surprised to find a half-grown chick! That makes Phoenix (477) a part of the first nest in Big Sur where his biological parents raised their own egg, rather than fostering a replacement egg from a zoo. In the years following his hatch, we have been able to take a more ‘hands-off’ approach for all of our nests. Our flock has continued to demonstrate more life skills, and we have been able to intervene less and less as the condor flock size has grown, allowing them to reproduce independently.
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In June of 2008, the gigantic Basin Complex wildfire scorched the forest surrounding the nest so severely that there was nothing left but ash for miles. The grove of trees that The Great One (199) and Wild 1 (231)'s nest was in burned about halfway up, but the crowns were not damaged. Phoenix (477) survived and his nickname was inspired by his trial by fire and also because of the hope his parents inspired by raising their first chick so perfectly.
 
Phoenix (477) successfully raised his first chick, Madeline (936), with Condor (547) in 2018, but has since paired with dominant female Redwood Queen (190). In 2022, Phoenix (477) and Redwood Queen (190) successfully raised chick 1174 in Phoenix (477)’s historic redwood nest. The family can often be observed feeding from proffered carcasses on the live Big Sur Sanctuary Cam.
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ventana wildlife society

9699 Blue Larkspur Lane, Ste 105
Monterey, CA 93940

(831) 455-9514 | fax (831) 455-2846
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Ventana Wildlife Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization | Federal EIN 94-2795935
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  • WHO WE ARE
    • Annual Reports / Documents
    • Bald Eagles - Our Beginning
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact Us
    • Employment
    • Media Coverage
    • Our Story
    • Staff
    • Wildlife Sanctuaries
  • CONDORS
    • Artists Supporting Condors
    • Condor Biology
    • Condor Cams
    • Condor Field Work
    • Condor Releases
    • Condor Status
    • Condor Threats
    • My Condor Bios
    • Nesting Condors
    • The Condor Chat
    • Vultures of the World
  • Films and Shorts
    • Films >
      • Giants of Big Sur: California Condor Stories
      • The California Condors of Big Sur
    • Shorts >
      • Condor Nesting Videos
      • Short Videos
  • Education
    • Big Sur Discovery Center
    • Education Overview
    • Inspirational Youth
    • PARTNER PROGRAMS >
      • MWEE for Educators and Teens
      • Wellness Through Nature >
        • Salud Y Naturaleza
    • PUBLIC PROGRAMS >
      • Youth Programs
    • S'MORE in Big Sur
  • Services
    • Condor Presentations
    • Ecological Services
    • Non-Lead Ammunition
    • Wildlife Data Management Tools
  • How You Can Help
    • Adopt-A-Condor
    • Annual Membership
    • Donate >
      • Donate
      • Donate to Condor Recovery
      • Donate to Youth Education
      • Leadership Circle
    • Fund-A-Student
    • Legacy Society
    • Subscribe
    • Supporters
    • Volunteer
    • Your Opinion Matters
  • Shop