Zion climbing routes temporarily close to protect raptor nesting habitat
The Moonlight Buttress, the iconic big wall rock climb in Zion National Park, is among the areas closed to climbers this spring to protect nesting raptors such as peregrine falcons. Zion National Park's climbing routes have been temporarily closed to protect nesting raptors, such as peregrine falcons, due to environmental disturbance. The Moonlight Buttress, the iconic big wall rock climb in the park, is among the areas closed to climbers this spring to protect the birds' habitat. Each year, officials at the park have worked with local climbing groups to identify where raptors are nesting and keep the birds’ habitat safe from human disturbance. If raptors or other raptors do nest on the walls, park officials watch the nests until the nestlings leave, which usually happens in July or August. The climbing areas currently closed are: Angels Landing (Climbing only), East Temple, The Streaked Wall, The Sentinel, The Mountain of the Sun, Cable Mountain, The Great White Throne, and The Tunnel Wall.
Опубликовано : 4 недели назад от Jonathon Sharp в
SPRINGDALE, Utah (ABC4) — The Moonlight Buttress, the iconic big wall rock climb in Zion National Park, is among the areas closed to climbers this spring to protect nesting raptors such as peregrine falcons.
Each year for the last two decades, officials at the popular national park in southwestern Utah determine where raptors are nesting along the towering sandstone walls and works with local climbing groups, such as the Zion Climbing Coalition, to keep the birds’ habitat safe from human disturbance.
“If a raptor is disturbed during the nesting season, it may leave its nest, which would mean that it wouldn’t be able to raise young and won’t be able to live here in Zion,” said Jonathan Shafer, a spokesperson for the park.
He added: “It’s really important that we’re able to work with climbers, with our partners, to share information about that so the park stays a park.”
Like in years past, the 2024 closures went into effect earlier this month, and they are slated to last until late summer. However, if park officials determine that raptors aren’t using a particular wall, the climbing routes reopen by late spring.
“As soon as we know birds aren’t nesting in those areas, we share that information so folks can go enjoy big wall climbing again,” Shaffer said.
If falcons or other raptors do nest on the walls, park officials watch the nests until the nestlings leave, after which time the climbing routes reopen. This generally happens in July or August.
The climbing areas currently closed are:
Angels Landing (Climbing only)
East Temple
Mount Spry
The Streaked Wall
The Sentinel
Mountain of the Sun
North Twin Brother
Cable Mountain
The Great White Throne
Isaac (in Court of the Patriarchs)
Tunnel Wall
Mount Kinesava
For peregrine falcons, the fastest animal on the planet, Zion’s high cliffs are a perfect nesting habitat. According to the park, the speedy raptors rear their young in rock crevasses as high as 1,300 feet.
As recently as the 1970s, the birds were on the brink of extinction. However, conservation efforts help the peregrine’s population in the U.S. rebound to more than 4,000 breeding pairs.
Visitors to the popular Angels Landing hiking trail over the summer might see peregrine falcons on the sheer rock walls as they work to rear their chicks. Visitors might also see them darting through the desert air at speeds of over 200 mph.
California condors also nest in Zion’s red sandstone walls. These raptors are the largest flying land bird in North America, and there’s estimated to be 70 of these rarely-seen birds between Utah and Arizona. Zion National Park lies at the heart of their territory.
For more information on Zion’s seasonal climbing closures, click here.