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Show Condors To Be Released At Hurricane Cliffs Eight 'California condors will be freed from a holding facility atop the Hurricane cliffs of northwestern north-western Arizona at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 18. A holding pen gate will be opened and eight captive-reared condors that have been acclimating acclimat-ing at the site since early October will be free to explore their cliff-top cliff-top location and take their maiden flights. A pool still photographer pho-tographer and videographer will be positioned in a blind for a cliff-top cliff-top perspective. Public and media me-dia are invited to observe from the base of the cliff. A Peregrine Fund biologist and biologists from the Bureau of Land Management, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Arizona Game and Fish will be on hand to provide information about the establishment of a Southwestern population for the recovery of the endangered species. Restoring a second wild population popu-lation of California condors is essential for the recovery of the species, the biologists claim. The ' Southwest restoration efforts have established a population of 14 birds centered in the Vermillion Cliffs area. To reduce feeding competition between the older Vermillion Cliff birds and the eight fledglings, a second release location has been established at the remote Hurricane Cliffs, located lo-cated one hour south of St. George. The routes will be marked on release day. High clearance vehicles will be required re-quired and limited transportation from St. George can be provided, call to make arrangements. At previous releases, condors have taken from 10 minutes to two hours to leave the facility and fly. Those planning to attend, should leave a message, including includ-ing their phone number with Bette Arial at 435-688-3303 or Jeff Humphrey at 602-640-2720, ext. 222 so they can be contacted if the event needs to be rescheduled due to weather. No food, beverages, bever-ages, or restrooms will be available avail-able at this location so they should prepare accordingly. They should also dress for cold temperatures tem-peratures and bring a telescope, high-powered binoculars, and long optics. |
