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First Condor Egg Hatches At Park In 100 Years
Young Nestling Feeding At Pinnacles Monument

POSTED: 10:44 am PDT April 7, 2010 UPDATED: 11:46 am PDT April 7, 2010

PINNACLES NATIONAL MONUMENT, Calif. -- Biologists said an historic feat has taken place at the Pinnacles National Monument after confirming the first successful hatching of a condor egg in more than 100 years.

The young nestling is receiving regular feeding and incubating from its first-time parent condors.

The parent condors are 7-year-olds that were released at the monument in 2004 and were in courtship during the past winter and paired for their first breeding attempt.

"We are thrilled that after being involved with the Condor Recovery Program since 2003, the park has its first condor chick from the first nest in over 100 years," said Eric Brunnemann, park superintendent.

The areas directly around the nest cliff will be closed to public use for the duration of the nesting period, but public viewing is still possible.

A hike to the viewing area is about two miles from the closest east or west side parking areas.

Biologists will be monitoring the nest throughout the breeding cycle. Nestlings remain flightless for about five to six months, which means the young condor should take its first flight in early October.

In 1982, the last 22 California condors were placed in a captive breeding program. Today, there are nearly 350 in the world.