Colombia celebrates a new milestone in the conservation of the Andean condor, a species on the brink of extinction.
Ámbar, whose name means “light and treasure,” is the third female chick born through artificial incubation in the country.
This news fuels hope that this emblematic bird of the Andes will recover its populations, currently estimated at just 150 specimens in the wild.
The event marks a significant advance in Colombia’s Andean Condor Conservation Program.
This is developed by the Fundación Parque Jaime Duque of that nation along with various environmental entities.
New birth of an Andean condor in Colombia: how the process was
Fernando Castro, director of biodiversity management, pointed out that the incubation process represented a technical challenge that tested the experience of the team of biologists and veterinarians.
“The chick weighed 203 grams at birth, after 62 days of incubation, a 66-hour hatching process, and a final assistance of 18 minutes, which successfully culminated,” he indicated.
Castro highlighted that the breaking of the shell took around 34 hours, something unusual in these processes.
“Fortunately, the chick looks quite energetic”, he added.
Ámbar thus joins Rafiki, born in 2024, and Wayrá, the second specimen that arrived in September 2025.
The special protocols for Ámbar’s survival
The care of Ámbar, the third Andean condor born through artificial incubation in Colombia, follows strict reproductive management protocols.
Firstly, feeding began between 20 and 24 hours after birth, allowing it to fully absorb the yolk or egg yolk.
Subsequently, special puppets are used to feed it and avoid contact with humans, thus ensuring its future reintroduction to the wild.
“Ámbar symbolizes the strength and resilience of the Andean condor, a species facing great challenges in the Colombian Andes,” expressed Castro.
The birth confirms the effectiveness of the protocols implemented and represents renewed hope for the recovery of the national population.
The Andean condor in Colombia: a decade of collective efforts
The conservation program has been operating since at least 2012, when various entities joined resources and knowledge to protect species included in the list of endangered animals.
In 2021, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) warned that Colombia was close to the point of no return regarding the conservation of the Andean condor: within a few years, the bird could completely disappear.
Currently, the Andean condor, declared the national bird of Colombia, faces threats such as habitat loss, poisoning from indiscriminate hunting, and the decrease of food sources.
These pressures have drastically reduced their populations in the Colombian mountain ranges.
As a scavenger bird, the condor plays a fundamental role in the balance of the Andean ecosystem.
According to the Biodiversity Information System of Colombia, Cundinamarca hosts about 20% of the more than 80,000 species recorded in the country.
Therefore, these initiatives are key to caring for the species and progressively increasing its population.
In addition to the leadership of the Fundación Parque Jaime Duque, the following allied entities participated in this milestone:
- Corporación Autónoma Regional de Cundinamarca (CAR);
- the Corporación Autónoma de Santander (CAS);
- Corpoguavio;
- Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia;
- the Government of Cundinamarca;
- the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia;
- the Colombian Air Force;
- El Dorado Airport;
- Accenorte, and;
- the local communities of Tocancipá.
How to join the conservation of the Andean condor in Colombia
Parque Jaime Duque invited Colombians to support this cause through the initiative “El vuelo de Rafiki”.
This promotes environmental education and fundraising for the conservation of the Andean condor and the spectacled bear.
“The birth of Ámbar marks a new chapter in the protection of the Andean condor and the wild avifauna in Cundinamarca,” commented Rey.
“These institutions, along with the media and park visitors, form a support network for the preservation of the Andean condor. Each birth is a vital step for the recovery of this species,” the Foundation indicated to close.
