The Monterey-based Ventana Wildlife Society has launched the “Save the Condors Fund.” The $410,000 campaign hopes to offset budget cuts to its program provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“The specific services that are in jeopardy are the releases of captive-bred condors to the wild and their ongoing support and management until they become established,” Ventana Wildlife Society Executive Director Kelly Sorenson said.
“There's also a critical need to mitigate lead poisoning, and we do that by providing free non-lead ammunition to the hunters and ranchers.”
Lead poisoning is the main threat to endangered condors, caused by eating animals shot with lead bullets.
In 1987, no condors remained in the wild. Today, Central California has over 100.
Ventana’s current federal funding runs out in December.
