Name: Inside the effort to bring back California condors
Uploaded: 2025-12-29T02:18:45.693Z
Duration: 2 min 25 s
Description: More than a dozen California condors born in captivity are getting their first flights of freedom. Joy Benedict reports.

More than a dozen California condors born in captivity are getting their first flights of freedom. Joy Benedict reports.

California

CBS America details the ongoing recovery of the California condor, once reduced to just 22 individuals in the early 1980s. Through a managed breeding program, the population has grown to over 560 birds worldwide, with notable milestones such as the release of captive-born condors like Amai into the wild.

Despite these successes, the species continues to face threats from lead ammunition, power lines, and human interaction. Conservationists remain hopeful as new generations of condors take flight, representing the resilience and progress of the recovery program.

Inside the effort to bring back California condors

We end tonight with a soaring success. In our weekend journal, CBS's Joy Benedict shares the comeback story of California's condors. A first flight of freedom for more than a dozen California condors, born in captivity and now soaring over the Vermilion Cliffs in Arizona. But in the world of conservation and condors, many eyes are on Amai. So this is Amai? Yes. With wing tag number 55, this chick's moment to soar dates back four decades. I saw Amai from a teeny tiny little embryo in an egg to now a full grown California condor flying out in the wild. Like I have chills thinking about it. Nora Willis has raised Amai since he hatched last year. She's a wildlife care specialist at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. I think a lot of people don't realize how rare this birdie is. Exactly, yeah, it's critically endangered. Visitors see just a few condors in the habitat, but dozens are hidden away from humans. They started back in the early 80s. There were only 22 California condors left in the entire world. The decision was made to bring them all into managed care to start a breeding program. They've been on a mission to save this extremely rare bird since 1982. One of the original vultures captured, Ho-Ho. He was the first California condor brought in for the recovery program. So he's also kind of a big deal. So he's what, 43 years old now? 43, yep, he's our oldest California condor. He's sired 42 chicks, including Amai, the park's 250th hatched in captivity. That breeding program has taken off and now there are over 560 individuals now in the world. We talk about more than 500 alive, but there have been more than 1,000 that have hatched. And I think that shows the challenges of this particular bird in the wild. Absolutely. Lead ammunition, power lines, and human interaction are still their greatest threat, yet wildlife experts are hopeful. What a feeling to watch them then fly out into the wild. So with a quick glance at the camera, young Amai sauntered out and spread his wings, carrying the weight of his species. Joy Benedict, CBS News, Escondido, California.

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