Join Ventana Wildlife Society biologists and featured guests for a monthly, one-hour Condor Chat, where we bring you the latest news on condor nesting, releases, population recovery, and share behind the scenes stories.
|
The Condor Chat
Join Condor Joe and the Condor Crew on the last Thursday of every month as they share condor news, updates, and stories about the California Condor central California flock. In the meantime, watch the condors now on the live condor cams!
Vertical Divider
Receive The Condor Chat Link Automatically Each Month Sign-up to automatically receive an email with the link to join us for The Condor Chat each month. You won't have to sign-up to join again. (If you have signed-up in the past to be a Frequent Zoomer, you will continue to receive the link to The Condor Chat automatically every month.)
|
|
2024 Condor ChatsAugust 29, 2024
While filming condors in the wild, Meredith Evans found herself not only in precarious locations… she learned what it means to be on condor time. VWS’ Communications and Digital Media Coordinator joined Joe and shared stunning visuals and heart warming stories about filming in the wild for our upcoming nature documentary, Condor Canyon. See the trailer, hear the surprising condor chick genetic news, and so much more… July 25, 2024
The Condor Crew shares the latest updates on vaccinating condors against HPAI, marking a significant step forward in protecting central California's population. Alongside this milestone, we have heartwarming nesting updates featuring captivating visuals of a condor pair and their adorable, rapidly growing chick! June 27, 2024
We have both sorrowful and encouraging news for you in June amidst a record year for condor chicks on the central coast. Plus, a look into the latest HPAI vaccination cohort at SPCA, including a condor you all know and love. May 30, 2024
Four wild-fledged condors were re-released to the wild after receiving both doses of their HPAI vaccine. Hear about our HPAI plans moving forward. Plus, our live viewers helped us name Zenith (650) and Redwood Queen (190)'s chick, 1304! Find out the name chosen for this new member of the Big Sur flock! April 25, 2024
Hear about the latest nesting season surprises as special guest, Pinnacles National Park Condor Crew member, Kaitlin Lopez, joins us to share exciting updates. Joe, Darren, and Danaé talk about the first round of HPAI vaccinations at SPCA for members of the free-flying central California flock. Plus, get the scoop on what's going on with the HWY 1 Big Sur road closure and its impact on our condor recovery efforts. March 28, 2024
LA Zoo's Condor Propagation Specialist, Mike Clark, joins us with an update on the status of condor Bucky (1087)'s eye injury AND some inside information on the eggs laid at LA Zoo, many of which will become future release birds! Plus, hear nesting updates and the latest on the central California flock! February 29, 2024
There have been crucial developments on our HPAI vaccine site plans for Big Sur, San Simeon, and SPCA locations. The central California flock is kicking off the 2024 nesting season with numerous courtship displays observed. We are clear roads to our Big Sur Sanctuary and to repair damages caused by recent storms in Big Sur and San Simeon, CA. January 25, 2024
In this episode of The Condor Chat, the 2023 San Simeon release birds, affectionately known as condor "rookies", receive their nicknames! Additionally, the Condor Crew share the latest news on the central California flock, including a pre-season nesting update. Vertical Divider
|
Condor Chat Archives2023 Condor Chats2023 CONTENT DESCRIPTION BY MONTH
2023 Condor ChatsDecember 12, 2023 - Condor Release
We release the last 4 condors as second grade students share their condor artwork and have questions for the Condor Crew. Special guests include Chris West, Yurok Condor Restoration Program Manager, and Alacia Welch, Condor Program Manager at Pinnacles National Park. November 28, 2023 - Condor Release
This month, the Condor Crew released to the wild at San Simeon, CA, six of the 10 captive raised condors. We were also joined by a middle school class at La Paz Middle School whose students had some questions for the Condor Crew. Plus, catch a sneak peak of some of our favorite clips from our upcoming documentary film, Condor Canyon and more! October 26, 2023
The Condor Crew share the latest and greatest updates on the central California flock, including what's going on with the pre-release rookies in San Simeon, CA, a HPAI update, the current condor population status, movements and nesting. Plus, attendees have their condor questions answered by the experts during our Q&A! September 28, 2023
This month, the Condor Crew share the latest and greatest updates on the central California flock, including information about our wild chicks, exciting movements, latest developments with Avian Flu and the status of the cabin rebuild. They also introduce the newest intern additions to the Condor Crew and talk about the $10K reward for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for last year's shooting of a California Condor in San Benito County. August 24, 2023
US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is the lead agency in the recovery of the California Condor. During this month's Condor Chat, the Crew talks with special guest, Arianna Punzlan, Supervisory Wildlife biologist California condor Recovery program Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex, USFWS. July 27, 2023
Watch this exclusive gathering of California Condor enthusiasts and experts! In this episode, we focus on HPAI, the rebuild, the 2022 San Simeon release birds, big condor movements and nesting. Enjoy! June 29, 2023
Pinnacles Condor Program Manager, Alacia Welch, joins the VWS Condor Crew to help provide an update on the Central California Flock from a Pinnacles National Park perspective. Hear the latest condor news including an update about HPAI, our nesting pairs, and some VERY exciting information about the identity of a mystery chick! May 25, 2023
Internationally recognized Conservation Biologist and author, Bill Toone, provides a passionate, first-hand account of when the decision was being made to bring all wild condors into captivity. This is not a Condor Chat you want to miss! April 27, 2023
Special guest, Dr. Amy Wells, DVM, - Veterinarian for Avian and Exotic Clinic of Monterey & Advisor to the Condor Recovery Program in Central CA - joins us as we talk about our additional preparations to protect the condor flock from HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza). March 30, 2023
The Condor Crew provides an update on Junipero (663). Learn the Big Sur flock's current population status, see a map of the condor tracking range, hear the nesting season update and more! February 23, 2023
The Condor Crew talk about the ups and downs in an eventful start to 2023. January 26, 2023 The Condor Crew share how January's crazy weather has been affecting the condors, the sighting of an untagged chick at the Big Sur Sanctuary, where Iniko has been and the 2023 nesting season. 2022 Condor Chats
2022 COntent description By Month
2022 Zoom-Chat Content Description by Month
January 2022 Condor Zoom-Chat
The condor crew gave a full update on Iniko and the released condors, Junipero, the potential nesting pairs for 2022, and the eligible bachelors of the season. Includes stunning photos and a fantastic movement map. Recorded January 27, 2022. February 2022 Condor Zoom-Chat
The condor crew gave an update on the central California flock, including the nesting pairs forming this year, recent injuries, and more. The incredible story of Junipero, a one-legged condor dad who lost his mate during last year's breeding season continues on. Is his chick still alive? Thank you Cali Condor for your technical assistance! Recorded February 24, 2022. March 2022 Condor Zoom-Chat
Special guest Dr. Zeka Glucs shared her journey working with condors as one of our interns to her work and research projects as a Program Director at Predatory Bird Research Group at UC Santa Cruz. The Condor Crew gave updates on the Yurok Condor transfer, news on nesting pairs, and who we've seen at the Big Sur Condor Sanctuary feeding slope. Recorded March 31, 2022. April 2022 Condor Zoom-Chat
The condor crew shared fun stories and an update on the central California flock, including the 2022 nesting pairs, recent condor losses, and enjoyable successes. Great stories of the sightings of last year's chicks, Recorded April 28, 2022. May 2022 Condor Zoom-Chat
The condor crew shared tragic news of recent losses, heartwarming stories like Iniko and Redwood Queen reuniting on the Big Sur feeding slope, as well as an update on rest of the central California flock, including the 2022 nesting pairs. Recorded May 26, 2022. June 2022 Condor Zoom-Chat
Special guest speaker, Kelli Walker, Senior California Condor Keeper for the Oregon Zoo's Jonsson Center for Wildlife Conservation, talks about their captive breeding program. Joe and the Condor Crew provide updates on the Central California Flock including how Traveler (171)'s treatment for lead poisoning is going. Recorded June 30, 2022. July 2022 Condor Zoom-Chat
Special guest, Mike Clark, Condor Propagation Specialist for LA Zoo, gives a behind the scenes look into Traveler 171’s recovery from lead poisoning and Condor Joe and the Condor Crew provide updates on the central California flock. Recorded July 28, 2022. August 2022 Condor Zoom-Chat
Condor Joe and crew provide updates on the Central California Flock, including Iniko's re-discovery of the Big Sur coast, the parentage/gender reveal of two 2021 chicks, and Traveler (171)'s continued path to recovery. Recorded August 25, 2022. September 2022 Condor Zoom-Chat
Joe Burnett, Condor Crew member, Danaé Mouton, and our new interns, Camden McMillan and Katie O’Connell, provide important updates on the Central California Flock, including Traveler (171)'s re-release to the wild and how our 2022 chicks are doing. They also discuss the unique personalities of this year's condor “rookies”, the Big Sur Sanctuary rebuild, and so much more! October 2022 Condor Zoom-Chat
A lot has happened with the Central California Flock this October! Joe and the Condor Crew share the latest details from the field about this year's wild nestlings as well as the upcoming release of our 2022 rookies in San Simeon, CA. The new names of the San Simeon rookies are also revealed. November 2022 Condor Zoom-Chat
In anticipation of the premiere of our 3-part docuseries, Giants of Big Sur: California Condor Stories, Joe and the Condor Crew are joined by special guests, Ross Thomas, series Director and Host, and Director of Photography, Mike Buffo. Joe and the Crew also provide updates on the newest members of the Central California Flock and the rookies Madrone (1100), Yarrow (1099) Bucky (1087), and Wild Bill (1085). December 2022 Condor Zoom-Chat Get a sneak peek of the Central California Flock's "preseason line-up" for the 2023 nesting season as well as new 2022 rookie updates on Madrone (1100), Yarrow (1099), Bucky (1087) and Wild Bill (1085). This is a Condor Zoom-Chat you won't want to miss! 2021 Condor Chats
2021 content description by month
2021 Zoom-Chat Content Description by Month
January Condor Zoom-Chat
Condor Joe gave an update on the potential mating pairs this spring, including Redwood Queen's new interest, an update on how Iniko and Eva are doing at the LA Zoo, shared the sad news of Scabbers, Condor 901, updated on how the rains are affecting the flock and the rebuild project, and heard from the crew about how the San Simeon Nine are doing. Recorded January 28, 2021. February Condor Zoom-Chat
Condor Joe gave an update on the mating pairs and eggs laid so far this year, an update on Iniko and Eva at the LA Zoo, updates on how the weather has been affecting our work, the San Simeon Nine's whereabouts, and more. Recorded February 25, 2021. March Condor Zoom-Chat
Darren gave a condor flock update before we heard great stories from Pete Bloom, who was instrumental in bringing the wild condor population of 22 into captivity, in the 1980's. Recorded March 25, 2021. April Condor Zoom-Chat
Condor Joe along with staff and guest Alacia Welch from the Pinnales National Park gave an update on Redwood Queen and Phoenix's egg, and the rest of the mating pairs and eggs laid so far this year in central California, an update on Iniko and Eva at the LA Zoo, updates on the San Simeon Nine's flights, and more. Recorded April 29, 2021. May Condor Zoom-Chat
Condor Joe and guest Joseph Brandt from the US Fish and Wildlife told stories of the early days of finding and climbing into condor nests in the Ventana Wilderness . Joe gave an update on the current pairs and eggs laid so far this year, an update on Iniko and Eva at the LA Zoo, updates and a new map highlighting the San Simeon Nine's flights, and more. Recorded May 27, 2021. June Condor Zoom-Chat
Mike Stake, Darren Gross, and Kelly Sorenson sit down to discuss the most critical issue facing condor recovery: lead poisoning from ingestion of spent lead ammunition. Recorded June 24, 2021. July Condor Zoom-Chat
After an update on the condor flock and the latest losses, Dr Herman from the Oakland Zoo shared their collaborative support for the condor recovery program. Recorded July 29, 2021. August Condor Zoom-Chat
After an update on the condor flock and the news regarding Eva becoming a vital part of the breeding program at the LA Zoo, we heard from Chris West and Tiana Claussen-Williams with the Yurok Condor Restoration Program about their progress and timing in receiving their first cohort of condors. Recorded August 26, 2021. September Condor Zoom-Chat
Meet the five condors named after female conservationists. The votes are in for Jan Hamber, Dian Fossey, Jane Goodall, Rachel Carson, Rosalie Barrow Edge. Hear about the news of the November condor release, the upcoming arrival of Iniko in San Simeon, and for the first time, glimpse the transfer process of California Condors to our facility, in an heartwarming video shot by our own field crew! Recorded September 30, 2021. October Condor Zoom-Chat
Condor Joe and the crew gave an update on Iniko and the San Simeon Five with some wonderful video footage and photos. Learn why/how each condor earned their given name directly from the interns who've been observing them and decided which birds fit each name best based on their behavior. Recorded October 28, 2021. November Condor Zoom-Chat
The condor crew gave a full San Simeon cohort update, including some never before seen pictures of recently fledged wild chick, #1104. Recorded November 18, 2021. December Condor Zoom-Chat The condor crew gave a full update on Iniko and the released condors, Dian (1011), Jane (1019), Rosa (1036), 1038, and 1042. Joe also discussed at length Junipero's situation (he recently lost a leg). Recorded December 16, 2021. 2020 Condor Chats - Inaugural Year
2020 content description by month
2020 Zoom-Chat Content Description by Month
April 2020 Condor Zoom-Chat
Baby Condor Just Hatched in Big Sur! Learn where the condors in central California roam and best locations to try to view them. Recorded April 28, 2020 May 2020 Condor Zoom-Chat
After an update by Condor Joe, guest photographer, Tim Huntington, talks about how he shoots such magnificent condor photos. Recorded May 28, 2020 June 2020 Condor Zoom-Chat
Condor Joe reveals the condor baby's new name. Recorded June 25, 2020 July 2020 Condor Zoom-Chat
Condor Joe and the condor crew give an update on Baby Iniko. Recorded July 30, 2020. August 2020 Condor Zoom-Chat
Condor Joe and Mike Stake cover the latest fire update and provide and overview of Vultures of the World. Recorded August 27, 2020. September 2020 Condor Zoom-Chat
Condor Joe gave a detailed update on the Dolan Fire and how it impacted Iniko and the other condors. Joe and the crew stayed on and answering more questions. Recorded September 24, 2020 October 2020 Condor Zoom-Chat
Condor Joe gave a detailed account of Iniko's rescue and gender reveal! Formerly missing condors now presumed dead. Recorded October 29, 2020 November 2020 Condor Zoom-Chat
Condor Joe gave an update on Iniko and 1033 after a wonderful presentation by Linda Yamane of Native American Condor Art. Recorded November 19, 2020 December 2020 Condor Zoom-Chat Condor Joe gave an update on Iniko and 1033 (Eva) after a recap of the Dec condor release and stories by the field crew monitoring the San Simeon Nine. Joe also gave a sneak peek at what pairs are mating and may have potential nests in the spring. Recorded December 17, 2020 |
More Videos and Photos to enjoy plus Films and Shorts!
