Andean Condor Is Released Back Into The Wild

These images show a threatened Andean Condor being released back into the wild in Ecuador after recovering from four pellets from a gun that were found lodged in its body.

The Ecuadorian government estimates that only 150 members of the species remain on its territory.

The heartwarming footage shows conservationists opening a box containing the wild bird which then gingerly exits it and after carefully gauging its surroundings, it flaps its wings and takes flight, soaring off into the distance.

The conservationists cheer as the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus), named Gualabi, leaves the hillside and flies high above the valley below.

The Ecuadorian Ministry of the Environment, Water and Ecological Transition said in a statement published on its website: "This morning, in the middle of the Andean landscape, south of Otavalo, the 'Gualabi' condor was released [...]."

They added: "The bird, a victim of illegal hunting, was rescued five months ago and had four pellets in its body, which prevented it from flying normally."

They also said that thanks to a concerted effort from nature lovers, conservationists, and government workers, including "the National Working Group for the Andean Condor, the Condor Park, the National Environmental Police Unit, the Union of Indigenous Communities of San Pablo de Lago, the coordination of the Quito Zoo and the team from the Ministry of the Environment, Water and Ecological Transition, the specimen received urgent clinical attention and surgery was performed for the extraction of the pellets and rehabilitation."

For its release, the Andean Condor Foundation team installed a satellite tracker donated by the Bolivian Birds of Prey Research Programme on the back of the bird, through which its behaviour can be monitored, which will contribute information for the conservation of the species, they added.

The footage was shared online by the Ministry of the Environment, Water and Ecological Transition of Ecuador, who captioned it (in Spanish): "The #Imbabura moors received Gualabi, an adult Andean condor who was rescued in May, after being wounded with 4 pellets in his body. Currently in #Ecuador 19 condors that have had rehabilitation and release processes are monitored."

The Ecuadorian Vice Minister for the environment, Bianca Dager Jervis, said: “The condor is a symbol of our country, it shows strength and courage. The presence of condors gives balance to the ecosystems of this area. I invite everyone to care for and conserve our wildlife."

And Martin Bustamante, Secretary of the National Working Group of the Andean Condor and director of the Zoological Foundation of Ecuador, said: "Without a coordinated work involving professionals from different areas and a strong technical and economic effort, this and other releases would not be possible."

In its social media post, the Ministry of the Environment also said: "The event was attended by the Ministry of the Environment, Water and Ecological Transition, the National Working Group of the Andean Condor, the Ecuador Andean Condor Foundation and the Ecuadorian Zoological Foundation. In addition, a special recognition was made to those who rescued the bird, becoming guardians of this species."

Andean Condors are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN's Red List of Endangered Species. It was first listed as endangered in 1970 on the United States Endangered Species List, according to the United States Department of Fish and Wildlife.

They are most immediately threatened by human encroachment on their habitat. They are particularly at risk because their reproductive rates are relatively low compared to other species.

The Ecuadorian government also said that in the last National Census of the Andean Condor carried out in 2018, a population of just "150 Andean condors is estimated in the national territory."

They added: "From 2019 to this year, three condors have been rescued, approximately one per year."