Andean Condor

Ancient symbol of health and immortality
Like other vultures around the world, Andean Condors are often at odds with changes in human customs. Our research is pointing out ways…

TO CHANGE THE FUTURE

Andean Condor portrait closeup

Hernan Vargas

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With its more than 10-foot wingspan, a soaring Andean Condor is truly magnificent. The ancients depicted it in art more than 4,000 years ago, and five modern countries revere it as a national symbol. But despite its cherished status, this majestic New World Vulture species is declining throughout its vast range from Colombia to Tierra del Fuego, and the northernmost populations are Critically Endangered.

Several thousand Andean Condors were reported in Ecuador a century ago, but today we know of just 100. Fortunately, our efforts show that it’s not too late: since 2012 we’ve found 14 nests, compared to the single nest that had been monitored prior to our study. 

Threats to Andean Condors

Human head with symbols
Human Conflict
House, trees, and stump
Habitat Loss
skull and crossbones
Contaminants
icon of lead ammunition
Lead Poisoning
 bugs
Invasive Species
Andean Condors feed on cow carcass

Hernan Vargas

Our impact

In 2018 we worked with Ecuadorian officials and organizations to conduct the second national Andean Condor census, using 100+ points from tagged condors tracked by satellite to reveal population size and trends. 

We've learned that Andean Condors in Ecuador forage mainly on ranches, where clashes with humans are most likely; 90% of nest sites are on private property. 

Hernan Vargas prepares to release an Andean Condor as part of a research project

Sebastian Kohn

our impact

Our data and advice are helping protect a 33,733-hectare area of condor habitat in southern Ecuador. This new reserve is based on spatial data from one condor (Chunka) marked with a satellite transmitter. Our data is also helping create a second reserve near Cuenca, the main city in southern Ecuador.

Andean Condor tied to cow as part of Yawar Fiesta

Cecilia Larrabure

our impact

In Peru, annual Yawar Fiestas attract tourists to see a wild Andean Condor, symbolizing the Inca people, tied on the back of a bull representing Spain. We are collaborating with local partners to end this cruel display.  

We gained a wealth of data from nine telemetry-tagged birds, which will help justify immediate conservation measures. Of 31 condors whose blood we tested, all were in good health. And we learned that inbreeding has not occurred, thanks to gene flow between two sub-populations.

The most significant threats are from ranchers who shoot or poison condors in the belief that the birds attack cattle. Although hungry condors have been known to occasionally kill young calves, our studies show they prefer carrion if it’s available. Competition for carrion is stiff, however, because of feral and free-roaming dogs. Lead exposure may be another threat; we found high levels in condors from Argentina.

These factors are compounded by the species’ naturally slow reproductive rates. Andean Condors need at least seven years to mature before they mate, after which successful pairs only raise a single chick every other year. Productivity can’t keep pace with mortality, making the population extremely vulnerable.

The Andean Condor has advantages that bode well for its recovery.

Residents and tourists in South America are genuinely interested in saving this cultural treasure, and we’ve reached millions in documentaries and with a new Spanish-language website. We partner with Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment, and lead the Andean Condor Conservation Network, a continent-wide research consortium. In time, we hope to preserve habitat for the Andean Condor that will also protect key watersheds and maintain the biodiversity of the Amazon Basin, fulfilling this species’ ancient role in Andean myth as a symbol of health and immortality.

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