The Yurok tribe has long considered condors sacred birds and carriers of their prayer - after five years of research, the tribe finally received the green light to release captive condors into the wild.
Yurok officials agreed to re-introduce the captive birds into their natural habitat of California's Redwood Coast region. Last month, state and federal agencies, along with Yurok tribe members, signed a memorandum to allow the test release. This trial run will be the final indicator of whether the area can support and help the endangered bird survive.
Tribal biologist Chris West told the Associated Press that the first test release could happen in the next one to three years. He also stated that meetings will be held in July to ensure all protocols are followed.
Officials are currently choosing the safest site to free the birds as well - seven locations within Redwood National and State Parks, as well as private lands located 50 miles within each other, are being considered. Since federal funds have been dwindling, the Yurok tribe will seek private donations to help them with an estimated annual cost of about $400,000.
The release of the condors into the wild is part of bigger environmental work with Yurok officials. Other restorative efforts include increasing the population of salmon and improving the health of forest trees.
Tribal microbiologist Tiana Williams shared that condor feathers are traditionally used by the Yurok tribe in their dances.
"When a species like condor or eagle gives you material for your regalia, it is considered their spirit is in that, too. They are singing with you, and praying with you," Williams told the Associated Press. "We can get feathers from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, but it's not the same thing as being able to go out there and collect the feathers we need from condors flying over our own skies."
