Patterns of mortality in free-ranging California condors (Gymnogyps californianus)
Average rating
Cast your vote
You can rate an item by clicking the amount of stars they wish to award to this item.
When enough users have cast their vote on this item, the average rating will also be shown.
Star rating
Your vote was cast
Thank you for your feedback
Thank you for your feedback
Date Issued
2012Author
Rideout, BruceStalis, Ilse H.
Papendick, Rebecca
Pessier, Alan P.
Puschner, B.
Finkelstien, M.E.
Smith, D.R.
Johnson, M.
Mace, Michael E.
Stroud, R.
Brandt, J.
Burnett, J.
Parish, C.
Petterson, J.
Witte, Carmel L.
Stringfield, C.
Orr, K.
Zuba, Jeffery R.
Wallace, Michael P.
Grantham, J.
Journal
Journal of Wildlife DiseasesVolume
48Issue
1Start page
95End page
112
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
We document causes of death in free-ranging California Condors (Gymnogyps californianus) from the inception of the reintroduction program in 1992 through December 2009 to identify current and historic mortality factors that might interfere with establishment of self-sustaining populations in the wild. A total of 135 deaths occurred from October 1992 (the first post-release death) through December 2009, from a maximum population-at-risk of 352 birds, for a cumulative crude mortality rate of 38%. A definitive cause of death was determined for 76 of the 98 submitted cases, 70%(53/76) of which were attributed to anthropogenic causes. Trash ingestion was the most important mortality factor in nestlings (proportional mortality rate [PMR] 73%; 8/11), while lead toxicosis was the most important factor in juveniles (PMR 26%; 13/50) and adults (PMR 67%; 10/15). These results demonstrate that the leading causes of death at all California Condor release sites are anthropogenic. The mortality factors thought to be important in the decline of the historic California Condor population, particularly lead poisoning, remain the most important documented mortality factors today. Without effective mitigation, these factors can be expected to have the same effects on the sustainability of the wild populations as they have in the past.Type
ArticleRights
Copyright Wildlife Disease Association 2012ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.7589/0090-3558-48.1.95
Scopus Count
Collections