Shining a Light on California Condor Recovery Program
Senior keeper Debbie Marlow carefully held a 2-week-old California condor egg up to a warm, bright light during a process known as candling this morning at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. This egg, laid on Feb. 13, is one of two California condor eggs laid this year, marking the start of the breeding season for the highly endangered species.
After removing the egg from an incubator, staff carefully placed the egg on a scale to measure the weight. The egg weighed 249 grams this morning, and staff was pleased to see a 14-percent weight loss for the egg from the previous weight check, which means the fluids inside the egg are decreasing and the chick is growing and developing at a healthy rate. Once weighed, staff will hold the egg up to the warm light to candle the egg and check the air cell, the position of the embryo, and monitor the growth and development of blood vessels.
In the 1980s, there were only 22 condors left in the world. The Safari Park has now hatched 185 chicks and released more than 80 birds into the wild.
Shining a Light on California Condor Recovery Program
Senior keeper Debbie Marlow carefully held a 2-week-old California condor egg up to a warm, bright light during a process known as candling this morning at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. This egg, laid on Feb. 13, is one of two California condor eggs laid this year, marking the start of the breeding season for the highly endangered species.
After removing the egg from an incubator, staff carefully placed the egg on a scale to measure the weight. The egg weighed 249 grams this morning, and staff was pleased to see a 14-percent weight loss for the egg from the previous weight check, which means the fluids inside the egg are decreasing and the chick is growing and developing at a healthy rate. Once weighed, staff will hold the egg up to the warm light to candle the egg and check the air cell, the position of the embryo, and monitor the growth and development of blood vessels.
In the 1980s, there were only 22 condors left in the world. The Safari Park has now hatched 185 chicks and released more than 80 birds into the wild.