Photographic censusing of the 1982-1983 California condor population

An intensive census of the remnant California condor (G. californianus) population based on photographic identification of individuals revealed a minimum of 21 and a probable maximum of .apprx. 24 condors in late summer 1982. Corresponding figures for 1983 were 19 and 22 condors. Two condors are known to have died in the wild since the 1983 census. These data, when compared with earlier population estimates, indicate a continuing catastrophic decline of the species. In the absence of intensive conservation measures, extinction of the wild population can be expected within 10-20 yr.