An adult female Andean condor appeared last week in the town of Luján, in San Luis, with serious injuries.
Although the Ecological and Environmental Police assisted her during the first hours, she was later transferred to the Center for Wildlife Conservation (CCVS) in La Florida.
The situation is serious, as initial observations indicate that she has completely lost one of her legs. What do the specialists say?
They Found a Seriously Injured Andean Condor: What Is Expected for Its Recovery
This sad news significantly complicates her rehabilitation and future release into her natural habitat. According to the Andean Condor Rescue Center, approximately 70% of the specimens that arrive at the center can be rehabilitated and released.
However, in severe cases like this, where the loss of a limb is total, the possibility of release is significantly reduced.
In similar situations, condors that cannot be returned to nature due to the severity of their injuries usually become part of breeding, education, and research programs.
This was the case with the pair of “Kytek” and “Taynemta,” who share an enclosure as permanent members of the Floro Faunistic Reserve in La Florida.
These programs aim to conserve the species and educate the public about the importance of the Andean condor in the ecosystem.
The CCVS highlighted that she will undergo all necessary analyses and care with a thorough medical-veterinary evaluation to determine the extent of the injuries and the best strategy for her care.
Among the possible causes attributed to the condor’s condition is the possibility of having been attacked by an animal, having damage from an electric shock, or some accident.
It is still unknown how the rehabilitation will be.
The Successful Release of Condor Francisco
While these types of cases are saddening due to the injuries the animal must overcome, there have also been other successful rehabilitation cases recently that give hope.
An example is that of condor Francisco, recently released. The animal was fitted with a tracker, a device for satellite tracking.
The female condor in rehabilitation.
The process was led by an interdisciplinary team composed of experts from the BioAndina Foundation, the Buenos Aires Eco-park, the Cullunche Foundation, and the Secretariat of Environment and Sustainable Development of San Luis.
The moment of release, less than a month ago, was emotional and many attendees were able to witness it at its best.
After leaving the kennel, Francisco waited almost an hour before spreading his wings and letting himself be carried by the mountain wind.
Before his return to the sky, he was honored in an ancestral ceremony by the Huarpe community “Palma Ayayme”. This spiritual ritual is a common practice in each condor release and aims to thank, ask for protection for the bird, and reinforce the sacred bond between the community and nature.
