PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Three California condors hatched and raised at the Oregon Zoo have been released to the wild in Arizona and California, with two more to follow.
One of the endangered birds was released at the Vermilion Cliffs Monument and the other two were released in California last month.
Zoo officials say California condors help clean up the environment as scavengers and are part of the nation’s cultural and historical heritage.
Condors are the largest land birds in North America and have wingspans of up to 10 feet and weigh 18 to 30 pounds.
Just 22 condors remained in the wild in 1987 and all were captured for a breeding program that has increased their population to 185 released in Arizona, California and Mexico.
