A "Black Hawk" helicopter of the Colombian Air Force that a month and a half ago came to rescue the two condors, was in charge of taking them back home. It is a mission that revives the hope of conservation of this animal, which is estimate only 150 specimens remain in the country.
Veterinarians, zoologists and condorist biologists from Colombia, Chile and Ecuador were in charge of taking care and recovering these birds, found by farmers in the region on November 21, 2018 and given to firefighters in the area. After receiving the requirement by the environmental authorities, the Air Force moved them to the Parque Jaime Duque in Tocancip谩.
The tests showed lead in their blood and this was evident in their condition, one of them did not walk and the other could not take flight, the birds suffered from depression and lack of appetite, their recovery process kept them 15 days in the area of critical care, after 5 days they began to eat at will, this was the first sign of their evolution until their full recovery.
The Air Operations Command of the Colombian Air Force, in coordination with the directors of the Jaime Duque Park, programmed the operation that led to bring this pair of condors back to their home, accompanied by a veterinarian and the zoo's bird healer in this bio park.
From early on, a crew of the Air Combat Command No. 5 was ready to carry out this important and challenging task. At the same time in the Park, medicines to increase their defenses were prepared and the operation of the satellite trackers that were put to them was verified to study them. The birds were put on a tractor to be transported to the heliport of the Colombian Aerospace Museum.
The helicopter of the Colombian Air Force arrived, commanded by Captain Edwin Sanabria, experienced pilot of the UH-60 Black Hawk, who was in charge of guiding the passengers while the crew and caretakers secured the crates inside the aircraft, thus the flight started which was carried out in the most stable conditions to not generate disturbances in the birds, which were not sedated to guarantee they were fully attentive at the time of the release.
When landing in the soccer field of the Superior Normal School "Sady Tob贸n Calle" of Cerrito, in the department of Santander, the community accompanied by the regional authorities gave an effusive reception and a 45 minutes way began to reach the P谩ramo del Almorzadero. After 2 kilometers of walking and at the highest point of the hill, the expected moment arrived to open the crates.
Imposing, they took the first steps, spread their wings, greeting all the attendees, they recognized their place and went out to fly their sky, their Paramo, their space. It was a moment full of happiness, pride and joy that revives the hope of the preservation of the condors in Colombia.
As part of the Conservation Program of the Condor of the Andes, the Jaime Duque Park, the Neotropical Foundation, the Ecuadorian Condor Andino Foundation and The Peregrine Fund, for the first time in the country two birds of this species are released with a satellite monitoring system that will led to study them. Being part of this mission is a pride to all the members of the Colombian Air Force, being defenders and protectors of the Environment throughout the national territory.
Source: Colombian Air Force.
