A young Andean condor rescued in Villa de Praga, San Luis, recently arrived at the Ecopark in Buenos Aires to begin its recovery process.
The male specimen, inexperienced in flying, will join a flock of birds in similar conditions that will help it develop the necessary skills to fly.
The rescue of the young Andean condor specimen was carried out after its discovery in the territory of San Luis.
After a brief stay at the Wildlife Conservation Center of La Florida, the bird was airlifted to Buenos Aires.
Before the trip, the veterinarian in charge, Andrea Gangone, conducted the initial check-ups of the specimen.
Then, the president of the BioAndina Foundation, Luis Jácome, along with the executive director Vanesa Astore and Rodríguez, received the specimen at the Ecopark.
The operation was part of the Andean Condor Conservation Program (PCCA), which works throughout South America to protect this threatened species.
The challenge of the young Andean condor to fly without parents
The young condors learn to fly thanks to the teaching of their parents.
However, when a specimen cannot reconnect with its father or mother, it needs the support of other condors.
“Condors unite, associate, and bond with each other to overcome each of their challenges as a team,” explained Daniela Rodríguez, a biologist at the PCCA.
Therefore, it is expected that the bird will begin to socialize with its peers in the Ecopark, under constant supervision by professionals.
This is the second specimen without flight experience sent to Buenos Aires.
The first was a female rescued from the waters of Dique Luján and transferred to the Temaikén Species Recovery Center.
From Buenos Aires to Patagonia
If the progress of the young Andean condor is successful, it will be released in the Sierras de Pailemán, province of Río Negro.
This area, near the Atlantic coast, has a special platform for bird release.
“In this place, there is a large enclosure where the condors go two months before their release to acclimatize,” detailed Rodríguez.
The platform is located on the ridge of the sierra, where the specimens interact with the wind and begin their adaptation.
The process includes the following stages:
- Socialization with other condors in the Ecopark of Buenos Aires
- Transfer to the release platform in Pailemán
- Acclimatization of two months in the sierra enclosure
- Progressive flight practices with the flock
- Definitive release in the natural environment
“In their flight practices, they make very clumsy, picturesque flights, until gradually, along with their peers, they learn the art of flying,” emphasized the biologist.
A threatened species with a future
The PCCA recovers Andean condors throughout South America with considerable effort.
The Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) is a threatened species and endangered, with great cultural and ecological value.
However, the results of this program are encouraging.
“In Pailemán, we have released condors that have survived, grown, and even formed pairs and had chicks,” Rodríguez reviewed.
So far, 10 chicks have been recorded born in the area, demonstrating the success of the initiative.
Now, with favorable winds, it is hoped that the young Andean condor rescued in San Luis can fly freely more than a thousand kilometers from its homeland.
