LA Zoo's California Condors Are Becoming Foster Parents

California condors at the Los Angeles Zoo are giving back to their own species in one of the most altruistic of ways; by becoming foster parents.
The effort is part of a new breeding technique announced by the zoo on Monday that's meant to increase the numbers of the endangered species.
Of course, the condors are birds, and they are captive, so they don't really have much of a say in their participation. But the new procedure involves experienced condor parents taking more than one chick under their (literal) wing, and raising them until they can fly the coop/leave the nest/spread their wings/etc.
Scientists discovered this breeding technique in 2017, when they first tested it with foster mom (and California condor) Anyapa. After giving her two foster chicks to raise as her own, they were able to release the young duo into the wild. The process was then replicated at the zoo in 2018 and 2019.
There are currently 500 California condors in the world, according to a statement from the L.A. Zoo, up from just 27 in 1987.
-
It's been many, many years since we saw this much snow in our mountains. Going up there right now isn't safe, but here are some places where you can enjoy the view and snap a pic.
-
April Valentine died at Centinela Hospital. Her daughter was born by emergency C-section. She'd gone into the pregnancy with a plan, knowing Black mothers like herself were at higher risk.
-
A look at years past when snows creeped into our citified neighborhoods, away from the mountains and foothills.
-
-
In the face of a drier future, that iconic piece of Americana is on its way out in Southern California.
-
Another Missing Hiker Has Been Found Dead In San Gabriels As Search For Actor Julian Sands ContinuesBob Gregory, 62, went missing the same day as Sands. His body was recovered near Mount Islip.