Biologists celebrate 100 endangered Calif. condors now flying where species once reigned

100 endangered Calif. condors flying wild in state

PINNACLES NATIONAL MONUMENT, Calif. — For the first time in half a century, 100 endangered California condors are flying free around the state that once was a domain of the species.

Biologists in Central California are celebrating the milestone announced Wednesday.

The 100-bird benchmark is the latest development in the slow recovery of the majestic birds.

Every fall, captive-bred, year-old condors are released into the wild at Pinnacles National Monument and Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge.

In 1982, the last 22 California condors were placed in a captive breeding program. Today, there are more than 380 in the world, in captivity and in the wild.