1/22/2024 0 Comments Giant condor![]() ![]() ![]() domestic dogs Canis lupus familiaris and pumas Puma concolor), as well as other scavenging birds. Poisoning with pesticides, probably the most relevant threat for this species, is due to conflict among humans, carnivores (e.g. Several threats affect the Andean Condor throughout its distribution. Local population extinctions and decline are of particular concern in northern South America (Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela), where no more than 340 condors may exist at present. Despite its ecological and cultural importance, the total population of this species probably does not exceed 6700 mature individuals, with an alarming decline reported across its distribution. The Andean Condor is also a source of fascination for humans and an important cultural icon throughout its geographical range. As other obligate scavengers, this species provides a key ecosystem service by accelerating carcass decay and reducing the probability of pathogen microorganism transmission to the environment. The Andean Condor inhabits mountain grasslands along the Andes from western Venezuela to southern Argentina and Chile, as well as the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia. Despite the increasing concern regarding the conservation status of New World vultures, there is little information available on the factors that threaten them. In the case of the seven species of New World vultures (Cathartidae), 43% are in decline, and the Andean ( Vultur gryphus) and California Condor ( Gymnogyps californianus) are categorized as Vulnerable and Critically Endangered, respectively. Among the 16 species of Old World vultures (Accipitridae), 12 are categorized as Endangered or Critically Endangered, and more than 80% of the species are currently in decline. ![]() Raptors are one of the most threatened groups of birds worldwide, with vultures being particularly vulnerable. Nearly half of the planet’s bird species are in decline, with one in eight species under threat of extinction. Human-induced species extinctions over the last 500 years are comparable, both in rate and magnitude, to the main five mass extinctions in Earth´s history. Given the important mortality induced by humans, environmental education programs, socio-ecological research, application of environmental laws, and management strategies based on scientific evidence to prevent and mitigate human-wildlife conflicts are urgently required for effective Andean Condor conservation in northern South America. Of great concern is the fact that, between 20, poisoning and shooting together caused the loss of 19–31% of the estimated population of condors in Ecuador, and 7–21% of the estimated population in Colombia. ![]() The total number of individuals affected by different causes represents between 48% and 72% of the total population estimated in northern South America. Between 19, in Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela, at least 103 Andean Condors were presumably poisoned, 22 were shot, and 39 individuals were affected by other causes. Of the total number, 84.7% of the injured individuals died. We obtained data of 164 condors affected by different causes of injury, of which 83.5% were reported in Ecuador, 15.2% in Colombia, and 1.2% in Venezuela. To address this, we compiled records of Andean Condors injured, or killed, between 19. Despite this, no quantitative assessments exist in Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela regarding the threats affecting Andean Condor populations. Local population extinctions and decline are of particular concern in northern South America, where no more than 340 condors may exist at present. With a total population not exceeding 6700 mature individuals, and in rapid decline across its range, the Andean Condor ( Vultur gryphus) is listed as a Vulnerable species in the IUCN red list. Vultures comprise one of the most threatened groups of birds worldwide. ![]()
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