What is microtrash?
"Microtrash refers to small bits of trash such as broken glass, bottle caps, can tabs, and other smaller, broken down pieces of trash that can be ingested by condors [and other vultures]. Condors are curious birds and natural scavengers and are attracted to small bits of trash that stand out from its surroundings." USFWS California Condor Recovery Program
vultures at risk
Additionally, when microtrash is brought to the nest and regurgitated by an adult condor, it is often ingested by condor chicks. The microtrash can get stuck in the gastrointestinal track of young condors and cause impaction, preventing the birds from digesting food, resulting in starvation and death.
Lesson outline
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Download the lesson on the left which can be used as a great station activity or as part of a larger program.
Program includes:
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Additional resources
Download full size images from the lesson plans.
These images were taken at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens and provided courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
These images were taken at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens and provided courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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Radiograph 1 of California Condor chick 482.
Radiograph 2 of California Condor chick 482.
Image of microtrash removed from Condor Chick 482.
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