FreeLists / birdky / [birdky] Re: Old acquaintance is Killed

["Ian Stewart" <istew2@xxxxxxx>]

Hi all,

I was saddened to read Jeff Wilson's post/news. I was lucky enough to see s=
ome of these magnificent birds at close hand just before Christmas, while=
 visiting an old friend of mine who is now studying the condors at the Ho=
pper Mountain refuge.

I stayed with him at a ranch up in the mountain where the field study is ba=
sed, and was amazed to find that the condors roost in a tree just behind =
the ranch! Not just that, but I would see them regularly from the porch, =
no binoculars needed. I also got to see the pens where they 'train' the y=
oung birds to feed, together with more birds sitting about 20 metres away=
 in trees.

We actually saw AC-8, the female that was tragically shot, and I recall how=
 thrilled I was in seeing a 'real' condor!

I have some photos of my time at Hopper Mountain, though as soon as I got t=
here I was kicking myself for not taking my 'real' camera :(=20
Still, I got some OK shots with my simple point-and shoot if anyone wants t=
o see them.

My friend told me that one of the biggest problems is that hunters shoot de=
er etc but leave the carcasses behind. The condors come down to feed on t=
he meat and accidentally ingest the bullets, and suffer lead poisoning as=
 a result, which is probably difficult to treat.

Let's hope they get the guy that did it as soon as possible before any more=
 of these awe-inspiring birds are shot.

Cheers
Ian
Ian Stewart
T.H. Morgan School of Biology
University of Kentucky
Lexington
Kentucky
40506-0225
(859) 323-9499
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