A California condor chase over Big Sur, where the Ventana Wildlife Society began reintroducing them into the wild in 1997. About 38 birds now live in the region, and recently a pair was found nesting in a coastal redwood cavity. Photo by Chris West

Ventana Wildlife intern Kristy Markowitz (front), Yurok Tribe wildlife technician Tiana Williams (center) and Ventana field technician Sayre Flannigan release a California condor in Big Sur. Photo by Chris West

Ventana Wildlife intern Kristy Markowitz (front), Yurok Tribe wildlife technician Tiana Williams (center) and Ventana field technician Sayre Flannigan release a California condor in Big Sur. Photo by Chris West

The forest-embraced prairies in Humboldt’s high country provide forage and shelter for big creatures a condor could eventually eat. Photo by Heidi Walters

Tiana Williams (left) and Chris West assemble the turkey vulture trap pieces on a grassy plateau in the Bald Hills. The trap is surrounded by an electric fence, enhanced with wire net laid on the perimeter, to keep bears away from the bait. Photo by Heidi

Outside the turkey vulture trap, Chris West has rigged a field camera which he covers in a camouflage cloth so the birds don’t attack it. Photo by Heidi Walters

Williams and West secure net on the trap. Photo by Matt Mais,Yurok Tribe

A turkey vulture in the Bald Hills trap, enjoying lunch. Photo courtesy the Yurok Tribe field camera.