What is Happening to the California Condor Population?

NGSS Phenomena:
California condors are large predators that have seen big changes in their populations in the last 50 years. They’re primarily scavengers, which means that often eat dead animals. In 1967 they were listed as endangered, and in 1968 there were only 55 birds alive in the wild and only one alive in captivity.
NGSS Phenomena: A California condor with its wing spread while flying.
A California Condor in Flight. As adults, these birds often grow to have a wingspan of over 6 ft.
In 1982, there were only 22 wild California Condors and significant repopulation efforts were put into place. In 1987, all birds in the wild were captured to breed in captivity and save them from extinction. Since then there were 223 birds in August of 2003 and the population grew to 286 by Feb 2012.

There are many reasons why condor populations got smaller. Many condors have tested positive for lead poisoning that may come from by eating animals that had been shot by hunters with lead bullets. Condors live for up to 60 yrs, which allows lead to build up in their systems over time and can kill them or stop them from producing children. It’s now illegal to hunt with lead bullets in California, but it's very difficult to make sure people follow this law.

DDT is a pesticide that was banned in the US in 1972 and has been shown to reduce eggshell thickness in many birds, including condors. Less thick eggshells make it very difficult for condors to successfully reproduce in the wild. Since this chemical is no longer being used, it’s hoped that this effect will decrease over time but the chemical has been known to remain in environments for a long time.
NGSS Phenomena:
References

BirdLife International. (2017). Gymnogyps californianus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22697636A117799192. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22697636A117799192.en. Downloaded on 11 July 2018.

1. DDT is an example of a(n) factor.

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abiotic
biotic

2. Lower populations of Condors likely led to higher populations of .

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prey of the condor
trees used for condor nests
predators of the condor

3. Since populations of condors are now increasing, you'd expect to see the populations of , due to .

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more competition
less predators
other predators decreasing
prey staying the same
other predators increasing
less competition
prey increasing

4. When populations of condors were decreasing, you would expect to see the populations of , due to .

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prey staying the same
less predators
less competition
more predators
prey increasing
more competition
other predators decreasing
other predators increasing
prey decreasing

5. There is a negative relationship between (cause) and the (effect).

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lead
being listed as an endangered species
captivity
California Condor lifespan
DDT

6. How do you expect the population of condors to change over the next 10 years?

7. Which statement below summarizes the pattern of change can we see for Condor populations in the wild over the last 50 years?

8. Based on the information given about DDT, what do you predict Condor populations to be in 50 years from now?

9. Organize the information provided into a line graph that shows the change in the California Condor population from 1968 to 2003.

Color

Width

10. Describe the relationship between DDT and the California Condor population.

11. Using what you already know about population growth, what do you expect the California Condor population to be in the year 2030 and what evidence leads you to expect it to be that number? MODIFIED

12. The California condors are large predators that have seen changes in their populations over the last 50 years. Discuss two environmental interactions and how they affected the condor population. Then using what you already know about population growth, what do you expect the California Condor population to be in the year 2030 and what evidence leads you to expect it to be that number?

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