The California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is on the endangered species list. This giant bird, with a wingspan of around 9.5 feet, historically inhabited large areas of North America. It lived all along the west coast, from Mexico to British Columbia then down in the south, to Florida and up to New York.  However, today it is on the endangered species list, and only lives in select areas of California and Arizona.

 

We should all be concerned about this species welfare, since with the absence of this species there is no natural recycling process. Since the California condor eats dead meat, without it naturally eating the meat, the meat would decay over time, and cause disease, which over the long run will be bad for everyone! 

 

This is why I am urging you to help protect this species. Some organizations that help protect the California condor are the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, the Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge, and the Friends of California Condors. The San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research was part of a joint effort that kept the California condor from reaching extinction in the 1980’s. It has a successful program that re-introduces the species back into the wild. The Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex  is another organization that protects the California Condor, by protecting its natural habitat. This organization is a park, where the birds live. The Friends of California Condor works to promote awareness of this bird, and protect this bird. By supporting these organizations, you can help move the California condor away from the endangered species list.

 You can also urge your local MP to support these organizations, and help protect this bird from extinction. Already this species had made a huge recovery, and with continued support this species will make a full recovery.