In a heartwarming milestone for conservation, four young Andean condors have been reintroduced to the vast skies of Chilean Patagonia. After spending two months acclimatizing in an outdoor enclosure in southern Chile, Chicoco, Bagual, Cuyen, and Eclipse took flight on Wednesday afternoon, marking the next chapter in their journey.
The condors, each with unique stories, are integral to a rewilding project spearheaded by a collaboration of public and private institutions. Chicoco was rescued after being severely poisoned, Bagual fell from his nest as a chick, while Cuyen and Eclipse were born in captivity. This diverse group is now free to soar in their natural habitat, supported by satellite and radio transmitters that will provide valuable data on their flight patterns, breeding habits, and overall behavior.
Before their release, all four condors underwent thorough evaluations at the Metropolitan Zoo in Santiago. The subsequent transportation to Patagonia National Park allowed them to adapt to one of the most pristine regions on the planet over the past two months.
\"Releasing in the extreme south, where they still have abundant food sources, is very favorable to the condors,\" said Cristian Saucedo, director of wildlife at Rewilding Chile. He added, \"Through satellite tracking, it also allowed us to study their behavior in one of the most pristine areas of the planet.\"
Patagonia is home to 70 percent of Chile's Andean condor population. The decline in central regions, driven by urban development and the use of poison to control livestock predators, has made such rewilding efforts crucial.
Condors are social birds that thrive in flocks, and Patagonia National Park's expansive flight paths provide an ideal environment for the newly released birds to integrate seamlessly. Saucedo emphasized that returning these condors to their natural habitat not only aids in repairing damaged ecosystems but also enhances our understanding of the species across different regions of Chile.
Eduardo Pavez, director of the Manku Project, another key player in the release, stated, \"Knowing their biology and the different situations faced by these two groups is fundamental to face the challenges of their conservation.\" This sentiment underscores the collaborative efforts aimed at ensuring the long-term survival and health of the Andean condor populations.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
