Sierra de San Pedro Mártir National Park, Baja California

Species management

From 2016 to date

In 1939, the California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus), the largest flying bird in North America, was declared extinct in Mexico. In 2002, thanks to a bilateral agreement between Mexico and the United States, the California Condor Reintroduction Program was initiated in its historical natural habitat the Sierra de San Pedro Martir National Park (PNSSPM), in Baja California, with the reintroduction of six specimens. After more than 20 years of constant work with the species and its habitat, today its population has increased sevenfold, becoming the first species that after disappearing from the wild has been reintroduced to its natural habitat in Mexico with successful results.

Since 2016 ENDESU has been collaborating in this program with the objective of promoting and strengthening conservation actions and the management of the condor population in San Pedro Mártir.

The program has a field station in the National Park, where specialized and constant attention is provided to free-living condors and those arriving from different aviaries.

Among the program’s activities is satellite monitoring, using transmitters to determine the monthly distribution range of the condors. The processing of this data provides us with valuable information about the occupied area and roosting sites of the condors. We also carry out conventional radio telemetry monitoring, using high frequency transmitters (VHF) to record the presence and absence of the condors without having direct contact with them.

In addition to monitoring methods, we conduct direct observations in the field to study condor behavior, especially during the breeding season. During our observations, we identify new breeding pairs and detect any unusual behavior or injuries to individuals. These observations help us to better understand population dynamics and detect potential threats.

Another priority activity is monitoring the health of the population, for which we capture and selectively handle specimens. As for supplementary feeding, we distribute lead-free food at different sites inside and outside the park. This activity is carried out especially during the trapping and breeding seasons.

In addition, in collaboration with community brigades and the Natural Protected Areas Commission (CONANP), we participate in fire prevention, firefighting, and environmental incident response in the PNSSPM.  We also maintain links with teachers and school principals to plan environmental awareness talks in schools in nearby communities. At the same time, we carry out awareness-raising and information activities for visitors to the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir National Park, where we talk to them about the threats affecting the wild condor population.