2025 California Condor Release

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It is that time of year again, and a great time to support California Condors! The Peregrine Fund and Bureau of Land Management at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument are hosting a celebration on National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 27th, by releasing five captive-bred California Condors to take their first flights in the wild. The event will be held in person at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and live-streamed via The Peregrine Fund’s YouTube Channel.

This year, our dedicated conservation journey reached an important milestone, revealing both challenges and opportunities for California Condor recovery. While we celebrate the success, we are alerted by the biggest threat continuing to face the flock today. That threat brings with it a sobering statistic: 13 magnificent condors lost to lead poisoning in 2024 alone—the most devastating toll in our program's history. Additionally, a staggering 86% showed signs of lead exposure, with 44% reaching critical levels. However, this year's monitoring efforts have provided crucial insights: we’ve successfully captured and tested very close to 80% of all free-flying condors in the Arizona-Utah flock, identifying exposure risks early and implementing treatment for 67% of trapped birds. This unprecedented detection and treatment campaign demonstrates our growing scientific capabilities and the power of our monitoring network. Each condor represents precious genetic diversity for a species that once numbered just 22 individuals worldwide.

Today's conservation breakthroughs and community engagement are writing a new chapter in condor recovery. We also know that hope comes in many forms, and this year, ours is seen through the lens of the North American Lead-Free Partnership. This year, the Partnership didn't just move forward—they surged ahead with unstoppable momentum, with overwhelming demand for workshops and outreach materials to support a non-regulatory approach to addressing lead exposure from hunting ammunition in wildlife. The powerful combination of education and incentives to voluntarily switch from lead to lead-free alternatives has emboldened the mission of bringing diverse supporters into a growing community. The bridge between science, awareness, and action creates a powerful opportunity for everyone to contribute to condor conservation.

Together, we're building a healthier ecosystem where these magnificent birds can thrive for generations.

When you purchase merchandise from this year’s California Condor release, proceeds will go directly towards our California Condor Recovery Program. Visit our event page for more information about the release or schedule a reminder to watch the livestream.

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