During the last decade, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service has worked to reestablish the critically endangered California condor in its last stronghold, the mountains of southern California. Recently, the service has also tried to establish a second population in the Grand Canyon region of Arizona. Why would the Fish and Wildlife Service consider it a high priority to establish two populations that are geographically distant from each other

• Multiple condor populations reduce inbreeding.

• Multiple condor populations provide more opportunities for people to view the endangered species, which may cause more people to be concerned with its fate.

• Multiple condor populations reduce genetic drift within each population.

• Multiple condor populations reduce the risk of extinction due to localized catastrophes

The correct answer is D. "Multiple condor populations reduce the risk of extinction due to localized catastrophes".

Explanation:

In 1975, The California Condor Recovery Plan was prepared by the California Cóndor Recovery Team integrated by the National Audubon Society, the U. S. California Department of Fish and Game, The Forest Service, the U. S. Bureau of Land Management, and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service or Usfws.

The objective of this recovery plan was to maintain and keep a population of 50 condors distributed in the same areas as they used to inhabit in 1974, with a rate of 4 birth per year and the less possible mortality rate.

They supposed that if condors were widely geographically distributed, then not all of them would be under the same limiting local pressures, even possible catastrophes. If the annual birth rate was equal or higher than the mortality rate then a little population would be able to survive. Finally, if the species was in extinction danger state and under an extensive managing program, populations could recover their stability.

They were focused on protecting the nesting areas, protecting the feeding areas and preventing mortality.