Eureka, Ca., (KIEM)- The California Condor is sacred to the Yurok tribe. Its feathers are a critical part of renewal ceremonies, and its role in the ecosystem as a predator was once incredibly important along the North Coast. Before the birds were critically endangered, they took to the skies in Humboldt County.
Now, the Yurok Tribe is spearheading an effort to see the critically endangered Condor return home. The final Environmental Policy Act review of the project began in January of 2017. Reintroduction is set to begin in 2019.
“One of the things they need for that program is a veterinary quarantine facility.” Gretchen Ziegler, the director of the Sequoia Park Zoo in Eureka explains, “But the birds that are in the wild that get sick for various reasons need to be caught temporarily for veterinary treatment so that’ll be happening here on zoo grounds.”
The AZA Accredited facility is ideal for the care and keeping of wounded birds. Veterinarians will be on site to handle any emergencies, essentially turning a portion of Sequoia Park Zoo’s Raptor wing into a condor ER.
“It’s a very special animal because it used to fly and soar on the North Coast but hasn’t done so for over 100 years.” Ziegler says. “It’s culturally important to our local tribes and so there’s a ton of reasons to be excited about this project.”
The Condors will not be on display or added to the zoo’s collection. They’ll be released once they’re rehabilitated. Still, the effort to prevent the vulture-like bird’s extinction is absolutely in keeping with the facility’s mission statement.
“Zoos are particularly important to make that emotional bond or connection with wildlife. Whether it’s exotic wildlife that lives across the globe and needs help or our native animals here. We’ve got several native species in our animal collection that are on exhibit.” Ziegler says, “They’re ambassadors for the general public to learn more about how they can interact with wild animals natively.”
According to the zoo’s mission statement its goal is “To inspire conservation of the natural world by instilling wonder, respect and passion for wildlife.” Now it seems, the smallest zoo in California will be adding “veterinary care for endangered species” to it’s list of things to do.
