Six condors in the Central California flock have perished in 2025, but those losses, however tragic, will soon be superseded as 13 juveniles — seven raised in captivity in the Los Angeles Zoo and six raised in the Oregon Zoo — are set for release in October from the mountains high above San Simeon and from Pinnacles National Park.

Moreover, five pre-fledge condor chicks will soon leave their nests, potentially bringing the total number in the flock — including the 13 juveniles — to 123.

Would that be the highest number of these free-flying, critically endangered Central California birds in many years, perhaps since the 1980s when an in-house breeding program was launched to save the species?

“Yes,” Ventana Wildlife Society executive director Kelly Sorenson said. “But I’m knocking on woo

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