Andean condor  (Vultur gryphus)

The Andean condor is adapted for exceptionally low mortality and low reproductive output, and is therefore highly vulnerable to human persecution, which persists over most of its range (2) (10). The condor is killed for sport and farmers kill them as pests because they mistakenly believe they kill their livestock (7) (9). Additionally, condors have suffered from pesticides that have been carried up the food chain (7) (9) and from poison placed for mammalian predators (8). As this bird mates for life, and shares parental duties, the death of a mate also has a knock-on impact on the other partner and their chick (7).

Recovery attempts have been made through captive breeding and reintroduction programmes, which have been moderately successful (7). Captive-bred Andean condors have so far been reintroduced into the wild in Colombia and Venezuela, and early reports indicate that that some of these birds have begun to breed (8). These results are extremely encouraging and provide hope for the successful preservation of this magnificent bird. A similar project is currently underway in Argentina, and there is potential for reintroductions to be made throughout the species’ former range (10). However, it is imperative that an education campaign to try to reduce hunting of this bird accompanies such measures, if reintroduced individuals are to be given the best possible chance of survival.