Seven California Condors Released in Yurok Country

Residents and visitors near the North Coast should give wild condors space and report banded birds to help track the growing population.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Wildlife

Seven California Condors Released in Yurok Country

Seven young California condors were released into Yurok Country in Northern California as part of the Northern California Condor Restoration Program, a partnership between the Yurok Tribe and Redwood National and State Parks. The release adds to 26 condors already living in the area, where first releases occurred in 2022.

Why it matters

The release continues a decades-long effort that began in 1982, when only 22 California condors remained worldwide and the species faced near-extinction. Residents and visitors in California's North Coast now have a growing wild population of the large scavenging birds, and the milestone of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park's 200th bird introduced into native habitat reflects sustained recovery work across the state.

Seven young condors were released into Yurok Country, joining 26 already living there since first releases in 2022. The worldwide population has grown from 22 birds in 1982 to more than 600, with over half now in native habitats.

The players

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

The conservation organization that began the California condor recovery program in 1982 and has helped grow the worldwide population to more than 600 birds.

Yurok Tribe

The Native American tribe that partners on the Northern California Condor Restoration Program and hosts the condor releases in Yurok Country.

Redwood National and State Parks

The park system on California's North Coast that partners with the Yurok Tribe on the Northern California Condor Restoration Program.

The details

The condors were introduced into native habitat through the Northern California Condor Restoration Program, a partnership between the Yurok Tribe and Redwood National and State Parks. One of the released birds marked the San Diego Zoo Safari Park's 200th bird introduced into native habitats, and these are the first birds hatched at the Safari Park to be released at the Yurok Country site. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance began its California condor recovery program in 1982.

2022: First condor releases occurred in Yurok Country.
1982: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance began its California condor recovery program.
Earlier this year: B9, a two-year-old condor, returned to Oregon skies for the first time in more than a century.
May 2026: B9 completed a round-trip flight of approximately 380 miles between California and Oregon.

The Home Front

The release extends the condor recovery program begun by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance in 1982, when only 22 birds remained worldwide. Growth to more than 600 birds today places the condor among the clearest long-running wildlife recovery efforts tied to California's North Coast.

If you live near or hike in Yurok Country or the North Coast, be aware that condors are present and avoid approaching or feeding wild birds. Report any sightings of banded condors to the partner program so wildlife managers can track the population.

The takeaway

Seven new condors in Yurok Country show the recovery effort continuing decades after the species was near extinction. Keep wild birds at a distance and report banded sightings to help track the population.