Milagra the Miracle Condor Released Near Grand Canyon \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Milagra, a young California condor who survived the tragic death of her parents due to avian flu, was released into the wild this weekend near the Grand Canyon. As part of a larger conservation effort, Milagra’s release marks a significant victory for the endangered species. The Peregrine Fund and Bureau of Land Management celebrated the release via livestream.
Milagra’s Flight to Freedom: Quick Looks
- Condor Milagra’s Release: Nearly 17-month-old Milagra, an endangered California condor, was released into the wild at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument alongside two other condors after surviving against all odds.
- A Miraculous Survival: Named “Milagra” for “miracle” in Spanish, she survived the death of her biological mother due to avian flu and was raised by foster condor parents in a breeding program.
- Avian Flu Impact: Milagra’s mother succumbed to the deadliest avian flu outbreak in U.S. history, and her father barely survived while struggling to incubate the egg before Milagra was rescued.
- Historic Condor Breeding Program: Part of a 40-year-old program to save the California condor from extinction, the Peregrine Fund has helped rebuild the population, which had once dropped to fewer than two dozen birds.
- Livestreamed Release: The release, broadcast live, showcased the success of the condor breeding program and the determination of conservationists.
- Rebuilding the Condor Population: With roughly 360 condors in the wild, including populations in California, Arizona, and Baja Mexico, efforts continue to preserve the species, including ongoing releases.
- The Role of Foster Parents: Milagra’s foster father, a condor originally brought into the breeding program in the 1980s, played a vital role in raising her after her biological parents died.
- A Symbol of Hope: The release is a testament to decades of hard work, conservation efforts, and the dedication of volunteers and biologists working to restore the California condor population.
Deep Look:
By all accounts, Milagra, a young California condor affectionately known as “the miracle,” should not have survived. Yet, at just over 17 months old, she took a monumental flight this weekend as she was released into the wild near the Grand Canyon. Milagra’s survival story has captured the hearts of conservationists and animal lovers alike, as her journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Milagra’s release, which took place at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument in Arizona, was part of a larger effort by The Peregrine Fund and the Bureau of Land Management to save the endangered California condor from the brink of extinction. Milagra’s name, which means “miracle” in Spanish, is particularly fitting given the series of unlikely events that allowed her to survive.
A Miraculous Survival Against the Odds
Milagra’s story began with tragedy. Her biological mother, #316, laid a single egg in a cave along the cliffs of Arizona in April 2023. However, shortly after laying the egg, she succumbed to the deadliest outbreak of avian flu in U.S. history. Her father, #680, was also severely ill but fought to incubate the egg on his own, risking his life in the process. When biologists monitoring the nest saw the father leave the egg unattended for a rare moment, they swiftly intervened.
In a dramatic rescue, the egg was carefully retrieved and rushed to a facility 300 miles away in Phoenix. Biologists incubated the egg, which miraculously hatched. Milagra’s survival was nothing short of astonishing.
“She was a miracle from the beginning,” said Jessica Schlarbaum, spokesperson for The Peregrine Fund. Milagra tested negative for avian flu, and after a brief stay at Liberty Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, she was sent to the Peregrine Fund’s breeding facility in Idaho. There, she was adopted by foster condor parents, who helped raise her into a healthy juvenile bird.
A Legacy of Conservation
Milagra is part of a long-running and successful breeding program aimed at saving the California condor. Once on the brink of extinction, the species’ numbers had plummeted to fewer than two dozen birds by the 1980s. In a desperate and controversial move, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service captured the remaining wild condors to breed them in captivity. This decision laid the foundation for the remarkable recovery efforts that followed.
The Peregrine Fund began breeding condors in 1993, and in 1995, the first condors were released back into the wild. Since then, the population has slowly recovered, and today, an estimated 360 condors live in the wild, with several hundred more in captivity. Condors have been released in various locations across the U.S., including California, Arizona, and Baja Mexico.
Milagra’s foster father, #27, has a special place in the history of the recovery program. He was one of the first condors brought into captivity as a nestling in 1983 when the species was on the verge of disappearing forever. Over the years, he has helped raise many young condors, passing on vital survival skills to the next generation.
Condors Return to the Wild
Milagra was one of four condors to be released this past weekend at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, which lies about 50 miles from the Grand Canyon’s North Rim. As part of an annual tradition, the event was streamed online, allowing the world to witness this important milestone for the species.
Despite the door of the pen being opened, Milagra and her fellow condors took their time before leaving their enclosure. After about 20 minutes, one condor took flight, followed by another. Milagra waited patiently, sitting in the pen for over an hour before making her way out and taking to the sky. For those who have followed her journey, it was a powerful moment that signified hope for the future of the species.
“This year’s condor release will be especially impactful given the losses we experienced in 2023 from HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) and lead poisoning,” said Tim Hauck, director of The Peregrine Fund’s California Condor program.
Indeed, the past year has been particularly challenging for the condor population. Avian flu claimed the lives of 21 condors from the Utah-Arizona flock, and many feared that the species would once again face insurmountable odds. Yet, conservationists remain optimistic that the recovery program will continue to be successful, and Milagra’s story is a testament to that hope.
A Symbol of Resilience
At nearly 9.5 feet in wingspan, the California condor is the largest land bird in North America. These majestic birds can live for up to 60 years and travel as far as 200 miles a day. They mate for life and are known for their strong familial bonds.
For many conservationists, Milagra’s survival and release represent the resilience of the species. Despite decades of challenges—including habitat loss, lead poisoning, and now avian flu—the condors continue to soar. The ongoing success of the breeding program is a direct result of collaboration between various agencies, including The Peregrine Fund, federal wildlife managers, and several zoos.
The release of Milagra and her fellow condors marks another step in the ongoing efforts to restore the population and preserve the species for future generations. While there is still much work to be done, conservationists are hopeful that one day, the California condor will no longer be an endangered species.
For now, Milagra’s flight symbolizes not only a victory for her species but also a victory for all those who have worked tirelessly to save the California condor from extinction.
Milagra the Miracle
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