On January 15, three Andean condors were released in Valle Chacabuco, Chile, and returned to soar the Patagonian skies.
More than 50 people from different localities in the Aysén region were able to witness the long-awaited moment when the Andean condors were released.
This is a milestone in the conservation of the endangered species and is the result of the Manku Project.
Thanks to their work, Carmen, Auquinco, and Farellón, the three Andean condors released, will return to their natural habitat.
In particular, the release marked the end of a rehabilitation process that involved scientists, veterinarians, and local communities.
A three-month preparation process to release the Andean condors
The Andean condors released arrived in October from the Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Center in Santiago. The transfer was carried out through the “Solidarity Plane” Program of LATAM.
For three months, specialists monitored every aspect of their behavior and health.
The process included adjustments in feeding, controlled flight exercises, and rigorous physical evaluations.
Carmen, a female born in captivity in 2023, along with Auquinco and Farellón, two males rescued from critical situations, had to adapt to the extreme conditions of Patagonia.
The key collaboration between institutions and communities
The Manku Project that released these Andean condors is a collaborative initiative of Rewilding Chile Foundation, Cortés Solari Philanthropy, and Aves Chile (UNORCH).
Also involved were the National Zoo, the Agricultural and Livestock Service, CONAF, Bioamérica Consultores, and LATAM.
“This is not just a conservation act, it is a process built with communities. Accompanying the return of these condors to the sky is also recognizing the fundamental role that people play,” said Carolina Cerda, Director of Community Engagement at Rewilding Chile.
In the weeks leading up, open talks and conversation spaces were developed. The socialization instances allowed sharing the process and strengthening the bond between people and territory.
Ricardo Ormeño, a resident of Villa Cerro Castillo, traveled more than twelve hours to witness the release. “It was wonderful because I had never seen how the condors return to freedom after so much time,” he recounted.
María José Astudillo, a neighbor of Cochrane, attended with her son. “I find it something unique that can be experienced. This was going to be the only experience of releasing animals,” she stated.
How the long-term scientific monitoring will be
Each of the Andean condors released carries state-of-the-art satellite and radio transmitters.
This technology will allow meticulous scientific monitoring over the coming years.
The monitoring will help understand how they adapt to the environment of Patagonia, what flight routes they prefer, and where they find food.
The data from the Andean condors released will be key not only for Chile but for the entire Andean region, including Argentina.
The Andean condor is one of the largest scavenger birds in the world. It plays a fundamental role in cleaning ecosystems by feeding on decomposing fauna.
Its presence in Patagonia is an indicator of health for the territory. The protection of this species requires technical actions and an informed and committed community.
The release included the participation of families, students, local organizations, and representatives from the public and private sectors.
In particular, this release of Andean condors reinforced a conservation perspective focused on collaboration and respect for the environment.
From Friends of the Parks, the call is to strengthen these spaces of encounter. Conservation is a shared path where nature and communities move forward together.
