🤯 Did You Know (click to read)
Some captive California condors have surpassed 60 years of age.
California condors are among the longest-lived birds in North America, with lifespans exceeding 60 years in captivity. Their longevity is part of a survival strategy built around slow reproduction and extended parental care. Long life allows multiple breeding opportunities across decades. However, extended lifespan also means prolonged exposure to environmental toxins. A condor may encounter repeated lead exposure over its lifetime. Without intervention, cumulative damage can shorten survival. Captive breeding facilities meticulously track individuals for decades.
💥 Impact (click to read)
A lifespan comparable to a human career means conservation decisions echo across half a century. Birds released in the 1990s may still be alive today, representing living bridges between generations of biologists. Their survival reflects sustained funding, policy enforcement, and public engagement. At the same time, long-lived individuals require long-term health monitoring. Medical records for some condors span decades.
The condor's lifespan underscores how extinction risk operates on extended timelines. A single poisoned meal can undo decades of survival. Conservation success therefore demands consistency across generations of managers and lawmakers. Few species so clearly illustrate how fragile even long-lived giants can be. The condor's decades-long life amplifies both hope and vulnerability.
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