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Location:

Arizona Trail - next to Bobcat, across from Collared Peccary

California Condor

  • Awexa (M) 6/1/2008

  • (M) 4/15/2008

Identifying Features:

  • Awexa #95 white

  • new arrival - #91

CONSERVATION: The Phoenix Zoo supports The Peregrine Fund's work to address the primary threat to California condors - lead poisoning. Specifically, this project conducts trapping, testing and treatment of lead poisoning for condors in Arizona and Utah. Additionally, condors are monitored for highly pathogenic avian influenza and treated if this pathogen is detected.

LEARN MORE HERE: https://peregrinefund.org/projects/california-condor

History:

  • Awexa born at the San Diego Wild Animal Park (ID#808134). Released in Baja on 6/23/2010. Captured on 12/5/2011 for lead poisoning treatment. Released a second time in Baja on 5/10/2012 and remained in the wild until 6/31/2012 when he was captured due to being too habituated around people. He went to a quarantine facility before coming to Phoenix on 12/8/2014.

  • *Appan born at San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Park (ID#809061). Released in Baja on 8/6/2011. Captured on 12/5/2011 for lead poisoning treatment. Released a second time in Baja on 3/10/2012 and remained in the wild until 4/25/2012. He was captured due to habituation around people and released a third time on 5/10/2012. He remained in the wild until his final capture on 6/30/2012. He went to a quarantine facility before coming to Phoenix on 12/8/2014.

  • *Appan was sent to San Diego in fall of 2023 on a breeding recommendation. Another male has recently arrived to join Awexa. The new male is from San Diego.

More Information:

  • IUCN: Critically Endangered

  • Scavenger - eats primarily carrion

  • Important role in the ecosystem

  • Condors almost went extinct due primarily to lead poisoning

  • In 1982, there were only 22 birds left in the wild

  • Taken to the LA Zoo and San Diego Zoo

  • Condors have wing tags as a way to track them in the wild

  • AZ Game & Fish: "non-lead" zones in condor range, remove gut piles while hunting

  • Gut-Pile Raffle - prizes for hunters who bring in the guts of their deer in buckets to get lead out of environment.

  • Prizes included helicopter tours of Grand Canyon, Sea Life Aquarium tickets, Phoenix Zoo tickets, etc.

  • Also offer trade in of lead ammunition for copper ammunition.

  • Release sites: Baja California, East LA County, North Rim Grand Canyon


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