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Baby Condor Safely Rescued After Injury in Big Sur 10/20/20 16:22

 

Baby Condor Iniko, who was forced out of his/her nest for the first time on Friday, was rescued on Monday afternoon by the Ventana Field Crew after discovering Iniko sustained a leg injury.  Iniko’s father, #167 Kingpin, has been missing since the Dolan Fire burned through the Condor Sanctuary in August, leaving #190 Redwood Queen to care for Iniko by herself.  

Iniko was ready to fledge,(fly for the first time), when six-year-old male condor #729 Ninja started to push in on Kingpin’s territory and forced Iniko out of the nest on Friday, October 16.  Iniko landed safely below the redwood tree and was protected by mother Redwood Queen as Ninja continued to display territorial behavior.  It is not surprising that Ninja began to move in on the former territory of male condor Kingpin, but Redwood Queen prevailed in protecting Iniko.  
   
Thanks to Condor Cam, powered by explore.org, viewers from all over the world have watched Iniko grow up in a cavity of a redwood tree in Big Sur, California.  All was good at first until the Dolan Fire ripped apart this condor family.  With Kingpin out of the picture and having survived the wildfire itself, Iniko’s fate was never certain. Watch Iniko’s story here.
 
After careful observation by the VWS Field Crew, it was determined that Iniko’s departure from the nest resulted in a leg injury that would require treatment.  The rescue occurred yesterday morning, Monday, October 19, and Iniko is now safely at the Los Angeles Zoo for care. Condors are typically released into the wild at 1.5 years old.  After some time at the zoo, Iniko will be released to the wild next year.  

This rescue would not have been possible if not for the efforts of Redwood Queen who fiercely protected her chick, both in the nest and on the ground.  While it tugs on our heart that Redwood Queen returned to find her young missing, it is comforting to know that Iniko lives and Redwood Queen will raise young again, maybe even as soon as next year.  

The addition of Iniko and other wild-fledged condors, gives us hope for a brighter future. We remain committed to ongoing releases of captive-bred condors in central California so that we can Restore the Big Sur Flock.   Please consider donating to our Rebuild and Restore fund so that we may continue this vital work. 

Warm Regards,
Kelly Sorenson
Executive Director

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