Seven Condors Released in Yurok Country

Young California condors were freed in Northern California as part of a tribal and park restoration program.

Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Wildlife

Large dark condor gliding above a misty redwood ridge in Northern California. — Seven young California condors were released into Yurok Country in Northern California through a tribal and national park restoration program. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Seven young California condors were released into Yurok Country in Northern California through the Northern California Condor Restoration Program. The release is a partnership between the Yurok Tribe and Redwood National and State Parks.

Why it matters

The release adds to a growing population of condors in the region, where 26 birds already live after first releases began in 2022. It reflects continued progress in a recovery effort that began when only 22 birds remained worldwide.

The seven released birds bring the Yurok Country area to 33 condors, up from 26, and the worldwide population now exceeds 600 birds, compared with 22 when the recovery program began in 1982. More than half of the global population lives in native habitats.

The players

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

A conservation organization that began its California condor recovery program in 1982 and has helped bring the species back from near extinction.

Yurok Tribe

A federally recognized Native American tribe in Northern California that partners on the condor restoration program in Yurok Country.

Redwood National and State Parks

A protected park system in Northern California that co-leads the condor restoration partnership with the Yurok Tribe.

The details

The condors were introduced through the Northern California Condor Restoration Program, a partnership between the Yurok Tribe and Redwood National and State Parks. One released bird became the San Diego Zoo Safari Park's 200th introduced into native habitats, and the birds are the first hatched at the Safari Park to be released at the Yurok Country site.

First condor releases in Yurok Country occurred in 2022.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance began its California condor recovery program in 1982.
B9, a two-year-old condor, completed a round trip between California and Oregon in May 2026.
Seven condors were released into Yurok Country on 2026-11-01.

Roadmap

The release extends the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's California condor recovery program, which began in 1982 when only 22 birds remained worldwide. It marks the 200th bird introduced into native habitats from the Safari Park and extends the program's reach into Northern California's Yurok Country.

The release adds to the local condor population that residents and visitors in Northern California may observe in Yurok Country. The worldwide growth from 22 birds to more than 600 reflects a recovery whose progress is measurable year to year.

The takeaway

Species recovery depends on sustained partnerships between tribes, parks, and conservation groups over decades. Following regional wildlife programs helps readers track whether reintroductions keep succeeding.