Descriptive Summary
Administrative Information
Biographical/historical note
Scope and contents note
Related archival materials
Arrangement note
Descriptive Summary
Title: Carl B. Koford papers
Identifier/Call Number: MVZA.MSS.0163
Contributing Institution:
Museum of Vertebrate Zoology Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
3.7 Linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1938-1979
Abstract: The Carl B. Koford papers include work done by Koford between 1938-1979, as well as correspondence dating from 1939-1977.
The field notes document projects focusing on the California Condor, Pumas, primates, and additional birds, mammals, and reptiles.
creator:
Koford, Carl B., 1915-1979
Creator:
Koford, Mary R.
Administrative Information
Conditions governing access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions governing use
Copyright restrictions may apply. All requests to publish, quote, or reproduce must be submitted to the Museum of Vertebrate
Zoology Archives in writing for approval. Please contact the Museum Archivist for further information.
Preferred citation
[Identification of item], Carl B. Koford papers, MVZA.MSS.0163, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology Archives, University of California,
Berkeley.
Biographical/historical note
Carl B. Koford (1915-1979) was a biologist whose best-known fieldwork and research centered on the California Condor. Koford
received his PhD from UC Berkeley in 1950. During his tenure with the MVZ, he held the titles of Research Associate and Associate
Research Ecologist. In 1939, John Baker, Executive Director of the Audubon Society, established a Fellowship at UC Berkeley
so that critical facts (particularly population size) relating to the California Condor could be established. Koford, who
was familiar with areas inhabited by the species and reputed to be an excellent observer, was selected for the Fellowship
position. The research he completed in this role led to the publication of his monographic study, titled
The California Condor, in 1953. Koford’s work was also crucial in the establishment of the Sespe Condor Sanctuary in Ventura County, California
in 1947.
Sources Consulted:
Graham, Frank Jr. “Day of the Condor.”
Audubon, 102, 1 (2000): 46-53.
Scope and contents note
The Carl B. Koford papers are composed of twenty-one standard-bound volumes of fieldnotes, including specimen, map, and habitat
sketches, as well as transcriptions of scientific notes. Ten of the volumes contain work that Koford completed while developing
his monograph,
The California Condor, published in 1953. Additionally, there are four folders containing correspondence dating from 1939-1977. Within his fieldnotes,
Koford also describes numerous visits and interviews with people, including forest service employees, game and fire wardens,
photographers, and local populations in the U.S. and abroad. Also mentioned are Koford’s activities while visiting museums
and colleges and at meetings of the Cooper Ornithological Club, California affiliates of National Audubon Society, and similar
organizations. In addition, one of the volumes contains fieldnotes and a specimen catalog authored by his wife, Mary R. Koford.
Related archival materials
Materials relating to this collection within the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology Archives include: Mary R. Koford Field Notes
(MVZA.MSS.0164).
Arrangement note
The collection has been arranged in the following series: Field notes and Correspondence. There are no subseries.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Biological specimens--Collection and preservation.
Biological specimens--Identification
Biology Fieldwork
California condor--Conservation--United States
Cataloging--Specimens.
Correspondence
Field notes
Mammalogy--Fieldwork.
Scientific expeditions--Africa
Scientific expeditions--Asia
Scientific expeditions--Brazil
Scientific expeditions--California
Scientific expeditions--Canada, Northern
Scientific expeditions--Chile
Scientific expeditions--Colombia
Scientific expeditions--Colorado
Scientific expeditions--Costa Rica
Scientific expeditions--Ecuador
Scientific expeditions--Guatemala
Scientific expeditions--India
Scientific expeditions--Japan
Scientific expeditions--Kansas
Scientific expeditions--Mexico
Scientific expeditions--Nebraska
Scientific expeditions--North Dakota
Scientific expeditions--Oklahoma
Scientific expeditions--Panama
Scientific expeditions--Peru
Scientific expeditions--South Dakota
Scientific expeditions--Texas
Scientific expeditions--Uganda
Scientific expeditions--Venezuela
Scientific expeditions--Wyoming
University of California (1868-1952). Museum of Vertebrate Zoology