Comments on: Harry the Condor’s Progress

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 21:40:05 +0000

Condor 134 is Alive and Well in Grand Canyon

I found ” Harry,” aka Condor 134, August 23, 2006: At remote Pt. Sublime, 15 miles west of North Rim village deep in the North Kaibab backcountry, we were gazing into the abyss, surrounded by space and light of the canyon depths when I heard an unearthly whistling sound descending from the sky. For several seconds we were puzzled: was it a plane, helicopter, the wind, an electric motor coming from the canyon’s deep silence? Then suddenly a dark form appeared 25 feet above the rim, gliding effortlessly on the 9-foot wings that produced that strange sound, cautious but curious about the humans below. It made several low-level passes directly over our astonished group, turning its head back and forth to inspect the visitors to its isolated realm, then disappeared into the vastness.

By: Stacy

Stacy — Fri, 26 May 2006 15:33:40 +0000

Hooray for Harry once more! And his buddy #122 (Henry, maybe?). Thank you for keeping us up to date on Harry’s progress, and for all your hard work, both you guys and Phoenix Zoo.

By: Jeannie

Jeannie — Fri, 26 May 2006 12:11:00 +0000

Thank you very much Dr. Joslin for the great update on our man ” Harry” . Your job certainly sounds difficult, but please remember that you have the sincere gratitude of so many people for what you do for the Condors and all animals that you tend to. You and your co-workers are the Condors’ guardian angels – that’s a pretty special job.

So glad to hear that #122 is doing well. There’s another one of those darn numbers – #122 needs a name too – let’s call #122…” Sally” . You know, When Harry Met Sally – the movie – LOL. And if Sally is a boy, well, I” m sure he’ll survive a little identity crisis, especially after what he’s been going thru. LOL.

Does anyone know how these birds are being poisoned, and if it can be stopped?

Thanks again Dr. Joslin, and you too Valerie, for keeping us up-to-date on ” Harry” , and now ” Sally” .

Have a nice Holiday weekend!

By: Debra

Debra — Fri, 26 May 2006 08:34:19 +0000

Many thanks for the update and thanks to everyone working to save this species. I’m wondering why lead poisoning is such a problem for these birds–what is the source of the lead?

Valerie’s response: Lead poisoning in condors doesn’t happen often, but it does happen from time to time. This could be due to the fact that their source of food is most often dead animal carcasses (condors are vultures, after all). Unfortuately, some of the carcasses that they consume are from animals that were shot with lead bullets and left behind. If they have ingested the lead in this way, over time it builds up in their bloodstream, making them very sick.

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 26 May 2006 06:43:41 +0000

Thank you so much for your wonderful update on Harry and #122. I know my Dad is smiling down from heaven with me in appreciation of your plight to save these magnificent creatures from extinction.

By: Pamela G

Pamela G — Fri, 26 May 2006 04:19:36 +0000

Valerie, please convey my profound thanks to Dr. Orr, for her dedication and knowledge of these grand birds, and to Dr. Joslin, for fighting for Harry’s life. Though I may never see a condor, or a panda, or any of our endangered species in real life, I feel that I owe a huge debt to those of you who work so hard to preserve all of the creatures of our world.
If our growing knowledge of the universe has taught us anything, it should be that all life, and all creatures, are scarce and precious. Our planet is a miracle, and we can not continue to consume and destroy its resources without paying a terrible price. Humankind, in its insatiable desire to own, consume, and dominate, carries within itself the seeds of its own destruction.
But our species is also gifted with the ability to see the danger, and to respond with compassion, dedication, and love. Please continue to fight for every life. You are appreciated more than you know.