Energy Company To Start Breeding Endangered California Condors

Avangrid Renewables will start breeding endangered California condors to replace those that might be killed by its turbines. The company, which operates 126 turbines at its Manzana wind power plant, will team up with the Oregon Zoo for the project. The California condor is North America’s largest flying bird, with a wingspan of 9.5 feet. According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, there are only 518 of the birds in the wild. There is no record of any of the birds being killed by the turbines at the Manzana plant. However, the energy company recognizes that the 252ft diameter turbine blades could be a threat to the species. Our goal is to minimize the risk of mortalities. We see this as a win for condors, Amy Parsons, Avangrid’s operations wildlife compliance manager.