Conservation Status of the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) in Three National Parks of Central Argentina

15 Dec 2009 Sierra de las Quijadas National Park, Argentina, Central and Latin America Birds

Carolina Natalia Gargiulo

Determine the abundance of the Andean Condor population in three National Parks of Central Argentina to contribute to knowledge of the species’ global conservation status.

Talampaya National Park . ©Verónica Gil Suárez.

Talampaya National Park . ©Verónica Gil Suárez.

The Andean Condor, Vultur gryphus, is an iconic species in South America. The only population found outside the Andean mountain range is located in central Argentina, and little is known about this population. According to the IUCN (2009), the Andean Condor is declining throughout its range and the species is listed as Near Threatened. The Argentine National Parks System considers the condor a special interest species because its populations are decreasing globally. Nevertheless, there is a lack of basic scientific information as to its status in central Argentina.

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Recently, three national parks were created in this area and their conservation objectives include habitat protection for the condor to sustain permanent breeding populations. These parks are: Sierra de las Quijadas, Quebrada del Condorito and Talampaya, in San Luis, Córdoba and La Rioja provinces, respectively. Of these three national parks, only Quebrada del Condorito has any quantitative data regarding the condor population that can be used for comparison and allow the analysis of the population trend within the park. This project will fill an information gap regarding the condor population in the study area. The data collected (abundance and historic population tendency) will allow a long term analysis of the role these protected areas play in the condor conservation. This information is essential for adequate management actions to be taken and a systematic long term monitoring system to be implemented for the species.

The objectives of this project are determine the abundance of the Andean Condor population in three National Parks of Central Argentina and implement a census technique that will facilitate analysis of the population. These actions will contribute to knowledge of the species’ conservation status on a local, national and international level.

To carry out these objectives we plan on performing population counts for five days in each national park during every season throughout the year. Each count consists of recording the number of condors present every half hour from sun up to sun down. Each observation is noted whether the condor is in flight or perching, following previously established protocols. Whenever possible, condor age will be determined and recorded as adult, subadult, or juvenile. Between counts, behavioural observations will be performed in order to obtain information regarding daily activity patterns in relation to weather conditions and season.

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