Zoo Boise awarded a $16,025 grant today to The Peregrine Fund for a project to study Andean Condors, whose numbers are declining in Ecuador, Colombia, and other regions in the northern Andes Mountains.

The zoo asked Treasure Valley residents to vote on which of six finalists from 24 original proposals should receive funding. The zoo awarded grants to the top three vote-getters. The condor project placed second. 

"We are thrilled to be selected and grateful to all the people who supported our project," said Rick Watson, Vice President and Director of International Programs at The Peregrine Fund. "This money will fund the important first step of identifying reasons for the declining numbers of condors so we can avoid losing the species in the northern Andes."

No more than 65 condors are believed to be living wild in this region. Historically, the species was widespread but after 1970 it declined in range and abundance, probably due to human persecution, insufficient food supplies, and loss of habitat.

The grant will be used to:

For more information, contact:

Erin Katzner

Director of Global Engagement

Main Phone:208-362-3716

Direct Phone:208-362-8277

Additional contact

Susan Whaley, Public Relations Coordinator
(208) 362-8274 direct
(208) 860-2641 cell
(208) 362-3716 main