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Home range and presence of the California Condor Gymnogyps californianus in a protected area in Baja California: seasonal, biological, and food supplementation influences
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 April 2025
Summary
Obligate avian scavengers, such as the “Critically Endangered” California Condor Gymnogyps californianus, face significant threats from human activities and environmental changes. This study examines the home range and presence of reintroduced California Condors in a protected area in Baja California, Mexico, focusing on the influences of seasonality, biological factors, and food supplementation. Using spatial data collected over 12 months with telemetry equipment, we analysed condor movements within and beyond the boundaries of the Parque Nacional Sierra de San Pedro Mártir. Our findings reveal that condors spend over half their time within the protected area, with an increased presence during winter months. Supplementary feeding programmes significantly increased condor presence within the park, particularly in spring and summer. Home range analyses showed that season significantly influenced home range sizes, with smaller ranges observed during winter compared with other seasons. Additionally, male condors had larger home ranges than females during spring, but no significant sex differences were observed in other seasons. Age did not have a significant effect on home range size. This study emphasises the importance of protected areas and supplementary feeding programmes in condor conservation, highlighting the necessity of continuous monitoring and management to help support this iconic species.
Resumen
Los carroñeros aviares obligados, como el críticamente amenazado cóndor de California Gymnogyps californianus, enfrentan amenazas significativas por actividades humanas y cambios ambientales. Este estudio examina el ámbito hogareño y la presencia de cóndores de California reintroducidos en un área protegida en Baja California, México, enfocándose en las influencias de la estacionalidad, factores biológicos y suplementación alimenticia. Utilizando datos espaciales recopilados durante 12 meses con equipos de telemetría, analizamos los movimientos de los cóndores dentro y más allá de los límites del Parque Nacional Sierra de San Pedro Mártir. Nuestros resultados revelan que los cóndores pasan más de la mitad de su tiempo dentro del área protegida, con una presencia incrementada durante los meses de invierno. Los programas de alimentación suplementaria aumentaron significativamente la presencia de cóndores dentro del parque, particularmente en primavera y verano. Los análisis del ámbito hogareño mostraron que la temporada influye significativamente en los tamaños del ámbito hogareño, observándose ámbitos hogareños más pequeños durante el invierno en comparación con otras estaciones. Además, los cóndores machos tenían ámbitos hogareños más grandes que las hembras durante la primavera, pero no se observaron diferencias significativas entre sexos en otras estaciones. La edad no tuvo un efecto significativo en el tamaño del ámbito hogareño. Este estudio enfatiza la importancia de las áreas protegidas y los programas de alimentación suplementaria en la conservación del cóndor, destacando la necesidad de un monitoreo y manejo continuos para ayudar a preservar esta especie icónica.
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- © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of BirdLife International
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