2. California Condor Fossils from Pleistocene Era (10,000 y/a) Long-lived - low reproductive rate Live up to 60 years wild – sexually mature at 6-7 Condors mate for life Females lay a single egg every other year

4. California Condor Condors are detritivores Dramatic range reduction about 10,000 years – Late Pleistocene extinction of large mammals such as mastodon, giant sloth, camels, and saber- toothed cats that condors fed on – humans pushed them over the edge

5. Nesting Cavity-nesting species

6. California Condor High perches are necessary for roosting – create the strong updrafts required for lift into flight – Open grasslands or savannahs are important to condors while searching for food

7. California Condor Urbanization – habitat destruction/fragmentation Shooting – trophies, illegal sale Poisoning from lead and DDT Egg collecting Climate change – shifting vegetation ranges

8. Condor Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDxGcgIJ sT0

9. Joshua Tree

13. Changing climate reducing viable range May be found only in isolated locations of higher elevation in future – Predicted as soon as 50-100 years Loss of widespread seed dispersal

14. Why Save These Trees? 25 bird species nest in Joshua trees Lizards and invertebrates use various parts of the tree for cover Number of mammals rely on Joshua trees for food

15. Giant Ground Sloth

16. Whooping Crane Fossil of early ancestors dating back 10 millions y/a 1800s – destruction of vital wetland habitat – Needed for foraging and breeding Hunting – feathers, meat, trophies MIGRATORY SPECIES!

17. Whooping Crane MIGRATORY SPECIES! Pairs mate for life (will find new mate if one dies) Complex mating rituals – Dance

18. Whooping Crane Courtship Dance http://www.arkive.org/whooping-crane/grus- americana/video-09a.html

20. Whooping Crane Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye4Swf3- yDM