The Los Angeles Zoo has declared its 2024 California condor breeding season a complete success, announcing the hatching of 10 healthy condor chicks, a key achievement for one of the world’s most endangered bird species.
Key Highlights:
- Species: California condor — one of the rarest birds globally
- Chicks Hatched: 10 healthy chicks in 2024
- Success Rate: 100% hatch rate from 10 eggs
- Location: Los Angeles Zoo’s condor breeding facility
- Conservation Program: Part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-led recovery effort
- Zoo Role: LA Zoo has been involved in condor conservation since 1982
A Milestone for Condor Conservation
The 2024 season marks one of the most successful years for the zoo’s condor breeding program. All 10 eggs laid produced viable chicks — a rare 100% success rate. The zoo attributes this outcome to careful incubation, dedicated staff, and decades of expertise in avian conservation.
The California condor, once nearly extinct in the 1980s with only 22 individuals remaining, has been making a gradual comeback thanks to coordinated breeding and reintroduction programs. The LA Zoo plays a critical role in this national effort, not only breeding condors but also preparing them for eventual release into the wild.
A Conservation Legacy
Since joining the California Condor Recovery Program in 1982, the Los Angeles Zoo has successfully raised and released numerous birds. The 2024 outcome reaffirms the zoo’s status as a leading institution in endangered species recovery.
Summary
With 10 out of 10 condor chicks hatched, the Los Angeles Zoo’s breeding season stands as a major win for wildlife conservation. As condors edge further from extinction, the zoo continues to serve as a beacon of hope for endangered species recovery.
