When was the California condor breeding program launched?

As California condors approached extinction, conservationists launched an emergency captive-breeding effort in the 1980s. In 1987, the last wild birds were captured so the species could be protected and bred in captivity. The recovery program became one of the boldest wildlife rescue efforts ever attempted. Condors were later reintroduced into the wild in California, Arizona, Utah, and Baja California.