Ecobreves – VENEZUELA: Andean Condor Born in Captivity

By IPS Correspondents and - - Reprint | | Print |

CARACAS, Aug 18 2003 (IPS) - An Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) chick hatched in late July at Venezuela's Chorros de Milla Zoo, in the southeastern city of Mérida, in the context of a program to rescue this species in danger of extinction in the South American mountains. In the Venezuelan Andes, there are just 10 condors known to inhabit the area, while another six live at the Mérida zoological park.

The hatchling's parents are two adults donated by the zoo in the U.S. city of Cleveland. The condor is the largest flying bird, and females in the wild lay one egg every two years.

The baby will remain with its parents six or seven months, until it can provide its own food. Then the bird will be released into its natural habitat.