The Condor Project in Bolivia

The condor plays a truly special role in the self-image of the Andean countries – similar to the eagle in Europe. Nevertheless, the South American “King of the Skies” is in great danger of extinction. The Akademie has thus initiated a uniquely designed program at the La Paz Zoo for the conservation of this animal species.

The news received by the Akademie from Bolivia is wonderful. The project for the protection of Bolivian condors is starting to take form.

In late April 2017, veterinarian Dr. Miriam Wiesner and ethnologist Alexandra Falter once again visited the Vesty Pakos Zoo in La Paz, Bolivia, to provide veterinary and zoological support and in particular, to further advance the Condor Project. The Vesty Pakos Zoo houses a total of ten condors.

For the first time in the history of the zoo, a young animal, “Illimani”, had hatched in late 2016 after the Akademie had reviewed the husbandry and feeding of these animals in 2013. At the time, Board Member Dr. Henning Wiesner suggested a conservation project focused exclusively on the condor, the country’s heraldic animal. The goal was to see the condor once again in free flight over the country and in this way sensitize the population to its protection. This step is based on the knowledge that species protection projects which include breeding of wild animals and reintroduction into their original habitat are no longer possible without zoos. Other South American countries such as Argentina, Chile and Ecuador have already bred and released condors. Bolivia itself, however, does not have any reintroduction projects. The Akademie is now determined to integrate the young animal “Illimani”, born in 2016, into the project “Programa Conservación Condor Andino” in Argentina. The cooperation between the two countries, as well as the reintroduction of “Illimani”, is to be financially supported by the Akademie and thus to serve as a model project for Bolivia in species conservation with international recognition.

Dr. Miriam Wiesner succeeded in winning over all of the responsible political representatives and authorities to this idea. In addition to offering advice regarding the Condor Project, she furthermore provided veterinary help to the Vesty Pakos Zoo. She repaired an important but non-functioning inhalation apparatus and treated a variety of animals including an Andean bear, a rhea and a hairy armadillo. She also gave tips about improved nutrition and the housing of the animals. ■