andean condors

[vogelcommando]

I was wondering how nowadays Andean condors are doing in captivity. At least here in the Netherlands they were kept in earlier days quit commonly but now only one collection ( Avifauna Birdpark ) seems to have one.
How is the sithuation in other countries ?
Is there an International Studbook, an SSP, an EEP or another breeding program for them and about the re-introduction project in the USA, is it still running and does anyone has information about that ?

 

[condor]

Lots of Andean in captivity (see e.g., ZootierlisteHomepage), and they do breed. However, they're very long-lived and slow breeders. Yes, there are both EEP and SSP for it.

The project in the USA (and Mexico) is ongoing, but those are Californian Condors, not Andean.

 

[vogelcommando]

Thanks, but I´m sure there was also a breeding project for Andeans which were released - I believe - in Peru but as I said I´m not sure this project is still ongoing.

 

[condor]

you didn't ask about that in your first post, but yes, Andean release projects in Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. Obviously there have been differences depending on the exact project and how long they've run, but the ones that have released birds so far have been a moderate success overall, with some released Andean having reached maturity (takes quite a long time) and subsequently bred in the wild. Anyhow, unlike the Californian, the Andean has never been seriously endangered overall, and has a fairly low IUCN rating of Near Threatened. There are declines, and it was virtually extirpated in the northern (where much of the reintroduction effort has been focused) and coastal central part of its range. Fortunately decent populations remain in the wild elsewhere, especially in the south, and with reintroductions and other projects aimed at this species it may eventually become more frequent in the north again. Colombia has had the longest running reintroduction program, involving some 60 realsed birds, and the overall wild population (pure wild+released) in that country is now believed to be around 180. Two decades ago it had virtually disappeared from the country. In addition to reintroductions, other ongoing projects in various South American countries include education of locals, feeding stations, etc.

In contrast, it appears the African vultures now are following the path of the Asian vultures, rapidly heading towards extinction

 

[vogelcommando]

Now you mntion it, I guess it was Colombia were US-bred Andean condors have been released but I´ve no clue about numbers.
I´ve heared about the drama with the African vultures and althrough most of the african species are well represented in european collections ( with the exeption of the Cape vulture ) breeding results are still quite poor.