Sacramento, Calif. – Audubon California today issued the following statement from Policy Director Dan Taylor regarding the recent decision from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to essentially allow the lethal take of a California Condor at a proposed wind development in Southern California:

“Given Audubon’s decades-long involvement in the protection and restoration of the California Condor, we cannot support the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s decision that essentially allows for the lethal take of this endangered species.

“Unfortunately, a series of decisions, large and small, over the last several years have brought these turbines to the doorstep of one of America’s most iconic species, and in this process we arrive at a point where the federal agency tasked with protecting the condor says it’s OK to take one, that we have to choose between two good things -- renewable energy and wildlife protection.

“We fundamentally reject that choice. Given the continual technological improvements coming online, the American public has every reason to expect that we can develop renewable energy and ensure that condors will not be killed.”

About Audubon California 

Audubon California is building a better future for California by bringing people together to appreciate, enjoy and protect our spectacular outdoor treasures. With more than 50,000 members in California and an affiliated 49 local Audubon chapters, Audubon California is a field program of the National Audubon Society. More information is available at www.ca.audubon.org.

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