The Great California Condor Comeback

[tabatha]

After Decades of Costly Ups and Downs, the Endangered Species Finally Is Poised to Succeed

"But after spending time with experts in condor country and listening to all sides about the ups and downs of the program, I'm happy to report that today, there is more hope for California condor recovery than ever before. More wild-born chicks are fledging, fewer birds are dying from lead poisoning, and young birds are learning from old birds where to forage for dead flesh, making the human-provided food increasingly supplemental. As the experts begin to better understand the curious ways of the condor and rethink past assumptions, the goal of three distinct populations-one captive, one wild in California, and one wild in Arizona, each with 150 birds and at least 15 breeding pairs-actually seems attainable. But the condor is not yet in the clear: lead poisoning persists, why parents feed their chicks microtrash remains a mystery, and it is unknown whether the remaining wildlands can produce sufficient carrion. On top of that, the politics of protection, which continue to alienate factions of the hunting community, have not led to the best long-term legislation. But for the first time in decades, almost everyone seems optimistic."

http://www.independent.com/news/2010/jan/07/great-california-condor-comeback/

[SteveM]

1. Thanks, Well-balanced, considering the subject of hunting and ammo...

I imagine some of the opposition is from groups who fear any restriction on ammo is really a subterfuge for further restricting hunting and the use of firearms. That doesn't appear to be the case.

Lead has been banned for waterfowl hunting in all the states, now, and may be banned for all shotgun hunting in the future. The problem will be to not only find a ballistically comparable material (that is already accomplished with bismuth, "heavy irons," "Polyshot" and others), but one which is neither frangible (likely to shatter prematurely) nor expensive. That has been a problem with shotgun ammunition; the non-toxic alternatives are expensive to real expensive, and sometimes requires the purchase of a new shotgun with hardened steel barrels and chokes.

Rifle ammunition presents the additional problem of proper expansion. Hopefully, the alternatives allow for this. A through-and-through shot by a bullet not soft enough to expand controlably will result in increased chances the game animal will not be downed readily, but instead escape from the hunter only to die slowly. The advantage of lead is that it is soft, heavy, yet not frangible. To obtain a bullet which is heavy and soft enough to expand without shattering, yet sufficiently jacketed to hold together during the propulsion and flight process is no doubt challenging.

I have a lurking suspicion that lead from other sources may be the problem, when compared with big-game hunting, but we shall see.

[tabatha]

2. And the issue of microtrash is worrying.

[stuntcat]

3. omg *happy tears*

:loveya: :cry: :loveya:

[tabatha]

4. Yes, it has been incredibly difficult.

[depakid]

5. A big K & R for the big ugly birds!

Ugly in a cute sort of way!