The Region - News from Oct. 2, 1986

Disappointed zoo officials in Los Angeles and San Diego made plans to slow their preservation program for the highly threatened California Condor following Gov. George Deukmejian’s veto of a measure for a six-fold increase in state funding. The measure would have provided $1.5 million for captive breeding and releases of the birds, of which only 27 remain in existence--24 in the two zoos and three still in the wild. The veto leaves $270,000 for the program previously budgeted this year. “The lack of funds really will slow down the whole program,” said Bill Toone, associate curator of birds at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. “It concerns me greatly whether there is understanding about the level of commitment needed for a (successful) program.”