California Condor #318 aka "Benito"

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Hatchday: June 9th, 2003 Hatch location San Diego Wild Animal Park Sex: Male Current Status: unpaired Offspring: none Current location: Monterey and San Benito County, CA.

Condor #318's nickname came from his joy in exploring San Benito County. He has explored much of central California, but finds the dramatic rock formations and desert climate in this area very pleasant. The cool nights and hot days in this area frequently provide powerful thermals, which provide lift and allow condors to explore their surroundings with little effort.

Benito has been a steady sort of a fellow his entire life. He is now sexually mature, but in Big Sur, many of the condors are older and more aggressive than he is. He spends almost all his time over at Pinnacles National Monument where he is one of the oldest condors. Without the older condors around constantly demonstrating their dominance, Benito can relax and perhaps occasionally harass the younger condors. There are also quite a few unpaired female condors around his age at Pinnacles. We think he will eventually settle down there, as it is excellent breeding habitat.

Wild Population

Field Notes

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Geography