Last of Wild Condors Passes an Exam With Flying Colors

The 7-year-old male California condor that until Sunday was the last of its species remaining in the wild underwent an extensive physical examination in San Diego on Monday and was pronounced in good health.

X-rays gave no indication that the giant bird had ingested lead shot or had any lead in its tissues--a problem that has plagued other condors. A blood sample was taken and is to be analyzed for the presence of heavy metals or pesticides.

“He seems to be in exceptionally good shape and is an attractive bird, as condors go,” said Martha Baker, public relations manager for the San Diego Wild Animal Park. “He has very nice plumage. He’s bright, alert, responsive and inquisitive. He was calm throughout the entire exam.”

The bird, known as Adult Condor 9, was captured by biologists Sunday morning in the foothills of Kern County. He is now part of the captive-breeding program at the San Diego and Los Angeles zoos. The program includes the 27 remaining birds of the highly endangered species.

On Monday, Baker said veterinarians drew 12 milliliters of blood from the 19-pound bird, which she said is of average size. The blood is to be analyzed at labs throughout the country, including the National Wildlife Disease Laboratory in Madison, Wis. The results are expected within several days.

Baker said the bird will spend the next two weeks in the program’s quarantine pen. There, the bird’s keepers will be able to keep it under close observation, observe its feeding habits and check its fecal matter for parasites.

After that the California Condor Recovery Team is expected to determine which female condor the new male will be paired with. Although the condor breeding season generally ends in April, the birds will probably be put together to see whether eventually they might mate.

“We’ve seen some promising courtship behavior between a pair here,” Baker said Monday. “They did not produce any eggs this year, but we’re confident they will next year.”