Andean Condors of Leon River

The condor is the emblematic bird of the equator. It is drawn with its wings spread out on the shield of the Republic. It is a paradox, because the condor is also an endangered bird. Its sighting is possible in the Susudel parish, Oña canton, in the south of the Ecuadorian Andes.

 

The deep canyon of the river León in Susudel has served for millennia as a nesting site for the Andean condor (Vultur Grypus). It is a desert area with a warm climate, although it has plateaus that exceed 3,800 meters above sea level.

 

To protect the bird, on February 2, 2018, the Municipal Area of Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Andean Condor was created in the León River Canyon, in the provinces of Azuay and Loja. An area of 34,763 hectares was delimited based on satellite monitoring of a female bird. The initiative began with the murder of the condor Felipe in 2013, a crime committed by a poacher. The National Condor Working Group coordinated by the Ministry of Environment decided to protect Arturo's birthplace and prevent the condor's extinction. The cantons of Oña, Nabón, Santa Isabel and Saguro support this protection action. The area has an exclusive municipal management and ordinance, with a territory designed based on scientific data generated by the same species.

 

Río León is a remote place. Because of its cliffs, it is ideal for the rest, nesting and flight of condors. It seems that the area has been used by these birds for thousands of years. The species is attached to the nesting sites of its ancestors. Up to 15 condors have been counted here. Arturo has managed to get the authorities to protect the Andean condors living in Rio Leon. The first flight of this condor was perpetuated in a sculpture in the central square of Susudel.

 

With a little bit of luck, upon reaching the top of Mount Putushio opposite Oña, a specimen of this great bird will welcome visitors in an overflight. 

 

The 2015 Andean Condor Census revealed that there are between 94 and 102 individuals in Ecuador. In the south of the country, the 2017 census, resulted in the presence of 28 condors.

 

In the canyon of the León River, where the king of the Andes lives, 43 species of birds, nine of mammals and eight of amphibians and reptiles hide among the dry vegetation.