This blog post delves into the remarkable story of Milagra, a California condor hatched and raised by foster parents in captivity, who is now set to experience the freedom of the wild. Discover how this ‘miracle’ bird overcame incredible odds to become part of the ongoing effort to restore the endangered species.
Against All Odds
California condors like Milagra should not be here. Her mother succumbed to a devastating outbreak of avian flu and died just after laying her egg, while alone on the island leaving her father in poor health from sitting on the egg constantly trying to incubate it.
Milagra’s egg, fortunately for her sake, and thanks to the efforts of The Peregrine Fund & the Bureau of Land Management, was removed from the nest and hatched under captivity. The emergency operation was organized as part of a program created 40 years ago to save the California condor, which had nearly disappeared from its natural habitat at the time when there were less than two dozen left in the world.
The story of Milagra is a testament sounding very hope for this species and the determined effort in conservation to keep them alive. This is reflected in her name, which means ‘miracle’ in Spanish.
A Second Chance at Freedom
Nearly 17 months after being placed back in the wild under the watchful eyes of her foster condor parents, Milagra is ready to spread her wings and take off on her own. This weekend she will join three more of those free-flying California condors when they are released near the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, a condor reintroduction hub since 1996.
The release is of particular importance this year, as 21 birds that had been released in 2023 to the Utah-Arizona flock perished in the 2023 outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). Recent deaths make this year’s release ‘especially impactful,’ said Peregrine Fund California Condor program director Tim Hauck.
The release of Milagra, along with the other condors, will be streamed live by The Peregrine Fund and the Bureau of Land Management — giving viewers a rare opportunity to join in on what has become an increasingly common conservation feat.
Conclusion
The story of Milagra is a testament to the success of conservation, as well as the indefatigable spirit in which the California condor withstands. The journey of this miracle bird is a reminder that from the brink of extinction; mankind can still turn things around and, above all else, respect for our natural heritage. As Milagra soars on the free wing, a reminder of all that is good in the world and they worked to persist through to this very day.
