California condors are critically endangered, but the Los Angeles Zoo just hatched 10 healthy chicks
This week, the focus is on 10 condor chicks that were hatched at the Los Angeles Zoo, making them eligible to be released into the wild to help restore the state's depleted condor population.
'This year's chicks will eventually help increase the genetic diversity of the wild population of condors,' Denise Verret, chief executive and director of the Los Angeles Zoo, said in a news release. 'This iconic species represents a conservation win for Los Angeles and for California.'
Four of the chicks are being raised under a double-brooding method, which means two chicks are being raised at the same time by two surrogate California condors, according to the release. The Los Angeles Zoo was the first zoo to use this breeding technique.
'The L.A. Zoo's leadership in breeding California condors clearly demonstrates the marriage between conservation and animal husbandry,' Misha Body, deputy director of animal programs for the Los Angeles Zoo, said in the release. 'The care and well being that our animal care team provides continues to be innovative and advances the success of the condor program every year.'
All of the chicks bred at the zoo are eligible to be released into the wild as part of the zoo's California Condor Recovery Program, although some of them may be held back for future breeding, the release states.
Condors are under threat from lead poisonings and other toxins. According to a 2022 study, there were 40 DDT-related compounds — or chemicals that had made their way to the top of the food chain from contaminated marine life — found in the blood of wild California condors.
There were only 22 California condors left on Earth when the California Condor Recovery Program started four decades ago. As of 2024, there were 561 condors, with 344 living in the wild. The species remains critically endangered.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Estimated death toll from LA wildfires skyrockets in new report
The death toll from the two wildfires that destroyed vast swaths of Los Angeles County in early 2025 is much higher than previously reported, a new study says. Researchers say the Eaton and Palisades wildfires led to some 440 wildfire-related deaths between Jan. 5 and Feb. 1, the causes of which range from exposure to poor air quality to health care delays, according to the study published Aug. 6 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Officially, the blazes have been tied to 31 deaths – a figure that researchers say does not come close to capturing the true toll of the fires. See more: An aerial view of the LA fires. Neighborhoods torched, communities look like war zones 'The official estimates are barely scraping the surface,' Andrew Stokes, one of the authors of the study and an associate professor at Boston University, told SFGate. 'I think there's likely to be a massive undercount when it comes to wildfire deaths, both in Los Angeles County, but also in other areas where wildfires have occurred, including in Northern California and Hawaii.' To calculate the higher death toll, the paper's three researchers compared the number of deaths in Los Angeles County in January and February to previous years, allowing them to determine how many deaths the area saw on average in years when there were no devastating wildfires. With those figures, researchers were able to calculate the number of excess deaths likely tied to the blazes. They found that between January and February, 6,371 people died in Los Angeles County, about 7% higher than the expected death toll of 5,931, according to the paper. The study says the deaths range from direct contact with the fires to lung or heart conditions that were worsened by the smoke and stress of the explosive blazes. "The findings from this study underscore the need to complement direct fatalities estimates with alternative methods to quantify the additional mortality burden of wildfires and of climate-related emergencies more broadly," the study's authors wrote. "They also highlight the need for improved mortality surveillance during and after wildfire emergencies." The Palisades and Eaton wildfires erupted on Jan. 7 and were spread by record winds that carried the flames to working class neighborhoods and luxury, cliffside mansions. The blazes torched nearly 60 square miles of land, an area about the size of Miami, and recovery efforts are still underway throughout the region. A report released in late July says the wildfires are among the costliest in U.S. history, racking up a combined $65 billion in losses. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How many people died in LA wildfires? Death toll skyrockets in report.
Epoch Times
02-08-2025
- Epoch Times
China's $167 Billion Tibetan Dam Alarms Scientists, Neighbors
AD China's mega dam project in Tibet faces major safety and environmental concerns, as it is located in an earthquake-prone, biodiverse region. The Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon in Megok county, Nyingchi city, in western Tibet, China, on March 28, 2021. STR/AFP via Getty Images 7/25/2025 | Updated: 7/25/2025 China has officially begun construction on a massive hydroelectric dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, despite strong warnings from scientists about the region's fragile ecosystem and complex geological conditions. Olivia Li is a contributor to The Epoch Times with a focus on China-related topics since 2012. Author's Selected Articles
Yahoo
01-08-2025
- Yahoo
MEDIA ADVISORY: Baycrest Experts Available During AAIC® 2025 in Toronto
TORONTO, July 25, 2025 /CNW/ - From July 27 to 31, Toronto hosts the Alzheimer's Association International Conference® 2025 (AAIC®), the world's largest forum for dementia research. With Canada in the spotlight, Baycrest is recognized globally for its leadership in aging and brain health. Our scientists and experts are participating in the conference and available to support your coverage. This international gathering offers a timely opportunity to explore the growing impact of dementia on families, economies and health care systems, along with the latest advances in prevention, care, treatment and research. Dr. Howard ChertkowScientific Director, Baycrest's Kimel Family Centre for Brain Health & WellnessScientific Director, Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging (CCNA)Dr. Chertkow is a member of the AAIC Scientific Program Committee and one of Canada's most respected dementia researchers. He is available to speak on topics including dementia detection, prevention, treatment and Canada's role in the global research landscape. More Baycrest Experts You Can Speak With Dr. Adriana Shnall, Program Director, Baycrest Koschitzky Centre for Innovations in Caregiving, can speak to innovative tools supporting dementia caregivers, including those in rural and underserved communities. At AAIC, she is co-presenting on the use of virtual reality, AI and other strategies to better support families in community and long-term care settings. Dr. Allison Sekuler, President & Chief Scientist, Baycrest Academy for Research and Education is available to speak on the rising prevalence of dementia in Canada and its impact on individuals, families and the healthcare system. Dr. Nicole Anderson, Associate Scientific Director, Baycrest's Kimel Family Centre for Brain Health & Wellness, can discuss the latest in dementia prevention research, including evidence that nearly half of all cases may be preventable. Baycrest combines world-class care with cutting-edge research to help shape the future of aging and brain health. If you are working on AAIC-related coverage or broader dementia stories, our experts are available for interviews throughout the conference. Throughout the week, we will share updates with media highlighting key topics, research developments and expert perspectives from Baycrest. Please contact Natasha Nacevski-Laird, Media Relations Specialist at Baycrest, to schedule an interview. About Baycrest At Baycrest, our vision is a world where every older person lives with purpose, fulfilment and dignity. Baycrest is a global leader in aging and brain health innovation, with over 105 years of expertise in seniors' care and cutting-edge research. Baycrest has been Designated with Exemplary Status by Accreditation Canada, and drives industry-leading care and safety outcomes. As the home of the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) powered by Baycrest, the Baycrest Academy for Research and Education (BARE) and the Canadian Consortium on Neurodegeneration in Aging, Baycrest is at the forefront of dementia research. Affiliated with the University of Toronto, Baycrest's training programs shape the future of care globally, while Baycrest Global Solutions extends its expertise to senior living and healthcare internationally. For more information, visit: SOURCE Baycrest View original content to download multimedia:
