Condor Capture Delayed

A federal judge promised to extend his court order halting the roundup of the last five wild California condors as an official hinted that he may delay capturing a mating pair of birds until they produce eggs. U.S. District Judge Barrington Parker has said he’ll extend to the end of the month an order barring the capture of the condors. That will allow time for the National Audubon Society, which sued to halt the capture, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which supports the roundup, to prepare arguments. A wildlife agency spokesman said he might delay for three months the capture of a mating pair if it appears the female will produce eggs. Only 27 condors exist--five in the wild and 22 at the San Diego Wild Animal Park and the Los Angeles Zoo.