Parque Condor’s Raptor Rehabilitation

Situated near the city of Otavalo is a park that is dedicated to the conservation and protection of the birds of prey in Ecuador. Parque Condor rescues injured birds of prey and works towards rehabilitating them, trying to ensure a future for these birds amidst the chaos created by human intervention, including the loss of natural habitats and the capture of the birds as pets. At the Parque Condor visitors will not only be able to see a variety of breathtaking raptors, but experience the significance of the work done by the park.

Even though the park attends to a variety of birds of prey, such as owls, their main concern is the protection of the Andean Condor. It is the national bird of Ecuador, and yet it is estimated that a mere sixty of these birds remain in the wild. Illegal poaching is one of the greatest threats to the Andean Condor. Many locals are misguided in their judgments of these magnificent birds, and the Parque Condor strives to eliminate these prejudices through education and falconry exhibitions.

Sustainable tourism and generous donations allow the Parque Condor to continue its vital work towards conserving the Andean Condor, and falconry has been a significant tool in this mission. The falconry show was not introduced by the park as a form of entertainment. It offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy a close encounter with the condors, giving them insight into the purpose the birds fulfill in the environment, displaying their powerful flight capabilities and educating the public on the facts and myths in regard to these birds. Due to habitat being a vital part of the rehabilitation process, the park also partakes in the replanting of vegetation and trees that are a part of the Andean landscape. To further promote their efforts and educational programs, the Parque Condor hopes to add a plant nursery, conference rooms, children’s educational farm and an interpretation centre to the facility in the near future. The work done by the Parque Condor is invaluable to the survival and rehabilitation of birds of prey, and it is a recommended attraction to foreign visitors and bird watching enthusiasts.