The first three baby condors to be born in the wild since 1984 have died over the course of the last month in Los Padres National Forest in California. Born 5 months ago, the birds succumbed just before they were expected to fly for the first time from their rocky nest.
Condor family in nest.
X-ray shows that chick was filled with rubbish.
CREDITS: MIKE BARTH/USFWS; MIKE WALLACE/ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF SAN DIEGO
Scientists are still sorting out the causes of death. Elevated copper levels were found in the first chick. The second was found to have swallowed a dozen bottle caps as well as pieces of glass and plastic--attractive rubbish flown in by the parents. Results are still awaited from the third bird, being examined at the San Diego Zoo.
Scientists are hoping to keep closer tabs next time around: There are believed to be as many as seven condor breeding pairs in California and Arizona.
