CHULA VISTA (FOX 5/KUSI) — SeaWorld San Diego, in partnership with other conservation groups, relocated two Ridgway’s rails to a protected marsh near Chula Vista on August 18.
These endangered birds will be released in a couple of weeks by Living Coast Discovery Center.
This is an important milestone for the species. The Ridgway’s rail is a state and federally listed endangered species that can be found in southern California and northern Baja California.
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Since 2000, Team Clapper Rail, a multi-organization conservation partnership focused on the Ridgway’s rail, has released more than 400 of these endangered birds.
“The success of the light-footed Ridgway’s rail captive breeding program is a result of the strong, strategic partnership among the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Living Coast Discovery Center, San Diego Zoo, and SeaWorld San Diego,” Sandra Hamilton, fish and wildlife biologist at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said in a release.
“By incorporating new, genetically fit individuals, we continue to strengthen both the breeding population and the wild population. This latest release marks another important milestone for the program’s ongoing recovery efforts,” Hamilton continued.
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In 2026, SeaWorld San Diego has successfully raised four rail chicks over the course of three months.
“We are honored to be a part of such an important conservation effort in support of the recovery of this endangered species,” Justin Brackett, Curator of Birds, SeaWorld San Diego, said in a release. “This work is directly tied to SeaWorld’s mission, and we remain committed to this partnership.”
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