California Condor Sanctuary in San Simeon — Online Webcam
Along the rocky Pacific coast, where mountain ranges meet the abyss of coastal cliffs, stretches a unique place — the California Condor Sanctuary in Big Sur. This online camera opens a window into the world of one of the rarest birds on the planet. Viewers can watch these majestic giants in their natural habitat, where they soar above the sea surface using rising air currents.
Rescue from the Brink of Extinction: The Species' History
The California condor is not just a bird — it is a living symbol of the fight for survival. In the 1980s, the population of these giants dropped to a critical level — only 27 individuals remained in the wild. Today, thanks to large-scale reintroduction programs, the number of condors exceeds 500 individuals. The sanctuary in Big Sur plays a key role in this process, becoming a safe haven for released birds.
Why Big Sur?
The Big Sur region is of strategic importance for saving the species. Local coastal cliffs and thermal updrafts create ideal conditions for soaring these large birds. The California condor's wingspan reaches 3 meters, and they need powerful air currents to soar, which are found precisely on this mountainous Pacific coast.
Return to the Wild
The California condor reintroduction program in Big Sur is managed by the Ventana Wildlife Society. The organization's specialists release captive-bred birds into the wild. The first releases of California condors into the wild in Big Sur began in 1997, and since then the region has become one of the main sites for population recovery.
Social Life of the Giants
Watching condors on this webcam is an opportunity to see their complex social hierarchy. The birds often gather in groups at the feeding station, competing for food. On the broadcast, you can notice how they interact with each other and even fly together with turkey vultures, which have also claimed these territories.
Technology in Service of Nature
The webcam for observing condors in Big Sur was installed in partnership with explore.org and is located near the feeding station in the sanctuary. This online camera became one of the first in the world to allow millions of people to observe an endangered species in real time without disturbing their peace.
What You Can See on the Camera
On the camera broadcast, viewers see breathtaking landscapes of the California coast. In the foreground, a California condor is captured in flight up close — a large bird with dark plumage, white wing patches, and a distinctive orange-pink head. In the background, a view of the mountainous Pacific coast with rocky cliffs, the endless sea surface, and mountain ranges opens up. The sanctuary is a place for keeping and breeding the rarest birds of North America, and this webcam allows you to see them in their natural habitat — rocky coastlines, mountain ranges, and the ocean.
