On Saturday, September 17, a new group of California condors will be released into the wild at Pinnacles National Monument, 80 miles south of San Jose. This third release of the endangered birds at the park is the first on a weekend. Project biologists anticipate releasing up to 30 condors at Pinnacles, a historic breeding ground for the massive birds, over the next several years. The reintroduction of California condors to Pinnacles National Monument is a cooperative effort between the Ventana Wilderness Society and the National Park Service in partnership with the California Condor Recovery Team.

"We are proud to be a part of the recovery of this magnificent species, and are excited about providing an opportunity for more people to attend the release event," said Park Superintendent Tom Leatherman.

Seven juvenile condors -- six male and one female -- will be set free in Pinnacles National Monument this fall, joining the park's seven wild resident condors. The seven juvenile condors are 16-18 months old and were hatched at the Los Angeles Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park, and the Oregon Zoo. Condor #340 from Oregon is this breeding facility's first ever captive-bred condor. They have been acclimating to their new home in a 20 foot by 40 foot flight pen at Pinnacles since their arrival at the site in spring, 2005. Sometime this winter, six more juvenile condors are expected to arrive at the Pinnacles. Those birds likely will be released in 2006.

"It is finally a reality - California condors are once again free-flying in the Gabilan and Diablo mountains, where this species was absent for over 30 years. We are well on our way of reaching our overall goal. We are successful because of a great deal of hard work and dedication from all of the Recovery Team collaborators," said Ventana Wilderness Society Executive Director Kelly Sorenson.

Ventana Wilderness Society, which has been conducting condor releases in Big Sur, California since 1997, teamed up with the National Park Service in 2003 to reintroduce condors to Pinnacles National Monument. Thirty-three condors are now in the wild as a result of their efforts.

The San Diego Wild Animal Park, Los Angeles Zoo, the World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho and the Oregon Zoo breed condors destined for release in California, Arizona, and Baja, Mexico. The Pinnacles condor release is an important link in the overall condor recovery effort.

From a population low of 22 birds in the mid-1980s, condors have rebounded through intensive captive breeding efforts. Today 153 are in captivity at the captive breeding facilities listed above, and throughout California 57 are in the wild. The overall goal for California is to have 150 free-flying condors in the state.

The public is invited to attend the September 17, 10:00 a.m. event and witness the release of the condors from a viewing area located approximately a mile from the facility. The release will take place on the east side of the park off of Highway 25. Shuttle services from designated parking areas will transport guests to within a mile and a quarter of viewing area. Guests unable to walk the remaining mile can request special assistance. Spotting scopes, binoculars, water, layered clothing and good hiking shoes are highly recommended. Parking is limited, and is on a first come, first served basis; arrival by 8:00 a.m. is recommended. Further details of the release event are available on the Pinnacles National Monument website or by calling Pinnacles National Monument at 831-389-4485 x 224.