from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
California condor \Cal`i*for"ni*a con"dor\ (Zool.)
a large vulture ({Gymnogyps californianus}), also called
{California vulture}.
Note: In the late 20th century it is classed as an endangered
species. The California condor used to number in the
thousands and ranged along the entire west coast of the
United States. By 1982 only 21 to 24 individuals could
be identified in the wild. A breeding program was
instituted, and by 1996 over 50 birds were alive in
captivity. As of 1997, fewer than ten of the bred birds
had been reintroduced into the wild.
[PJC]