VENTANA WILDLIFE SOCIETY
  • 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
    • Vultures of the World
    • Zoom-Chats
  • Films and Shorts
    • Giants of Big Sur: California Condor Stories
    • The California Condors of Big Sur
    • Videos and Photos
  • Education
    • Bilingual Education
    • Inspirational Youth
    • Nature Prescription Programs
    • Partner Programming
    • Salud y Naturaleza
    • Youth Programs
  • Services
    • Condor Presentations
    • Ecological Services
    • Non-Lead Ammunition
    • Wildlife Data Management Tools
  • How You Can Help
    • Adopt-A-Condor
    • Annual Membership
    • Big Sur Discovery Center
    • Donate >
      • Donate
      • Donate to Condor Recovery
      • Donate to Youth Education
      • Leadership Circle
    • Fund-A-Student
    • Legacy Society
    • S'MORE in Big Sur
    • Subscribe
    • Supporters
    • Volunteer
    • Your Opinion Matters
  • Shop
Back to All Condor Bios
Loading bio data
Wassak (968) was one of the more dominant birds of his cohort and stood his ground against any challengers. Wassak meaning “condor” was selected as this bird's nickname by the local Rumsen Tribe. There was no doubt that Wassak (968) could hold his own, but he could also be a gentle bird, often choosing peace and food-sharing over aggressive fighting and bullying. He seemed to have a soft spot for the less dominant birds of the group and always allowed them to eat next to him.

On December 22, 2022, Pinnacles National Park staff trapped Wassak (968) after he was observed exhibiting lethargic behavior, a symptom of lead poisoning. VWS Condor Crew member, Evan McWreath, rushed him to LA Zoo where their veterinary team did all they could to bring him back to health. On January 5, 2023, Wassak (968) succumbed to lead sickness from foraging on a carcass that was shot with lead ammunition. ​He passed in the arms of one of his care givers. We would like to thank Pinnacles National Park, Evan McWreath and LA Zoo for doing all they could to try and save this bird during his final hours. ​
Pronounced: WAHS-awk (final sound ends abruptly)
Picture
Picture
Picture

ventana wildlife society

9699 Blue Larkspur Ln, Ste 105
Monterey, CA 93940

(831) 455-9514 | fax (831) 455-2846
​​
Ventana Wildlife Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization | Federal EIN 94-2795935
Vertical Divider

support

ADOPT-A-CONDOR
​
BECOME A MEMBER
Donate
LEADERSHIP CIRCLE
​legacy society
shop

events

monthly zoom-chats
annual fundraiser

connect

​​condor cams
​facebook
Films and Shorts​
instagram
​SUBSCRIBE/CONDOR UPDATES
​
TWITTER
​Videos and photos
​YOUTUBE

HOW WE PROTECT YOUR PRIVACY
© COPYRIGHT 2021.​ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Picture
Picture
Picture
  • 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
    • Vultures of the World
    • Zoom-Chats
  • Films and Shorts
    • Giants of Big Sur: California Condor Stories
    • The California Condors of Big Sur
    • Videos and Photos
  • Education
    • Bilingual Education
    • Inspirational Youth
    • Nature Prescription Programs
    • Partner Programming
    • Salud y Naturaleza
    • Youth Programs
  • Services
    • Condor Presentations
    • Ecological Services
    • Non-Lead Ammunition
    • Wildlife Data Management Tools
  • How You Can Help
    • Adopt-A-Condor
    • Annual Membership
    • Big Sur Discovery Center
    • Donate >
      • Donate
      • Donate to Condor Recovery
      • Donate to Youth Education
      • Leadership Circle
    • Fund-A-Student
    • Legacy Society
    • S'MORE in Big Sur
    • Subscribe
    • Supporters
    • Volunteer
    • Your Opinion Matters
  • Shop