Continuar la Colaboración con Conservación de Cóndores

Spanish Version
NOTAS DESDE EL CAMPO - Jim Petterson; MARZO 2009

INSTALACION DE UN SISTEMA AUTOMATICO DE CAMERAS
Un dedicado grupo de biólogos y colaboradores, se encuentra trabajando con contínuo esfuerzo para la recuperación y conservación del Cóndor Andino. La Fundación BIOANDINA, es quien administra este significativo Programa, que se lleva a cabo en las sierras de PAILEMAN, en la Patagonia al sur de Argentina. El responsable del mismo es el Jefe de Campo, Walter Kaufman, quien en febrero de este año , recibe por segunda vez la visita de Jim Petterson, del Programa de Recuperación de Condores en California;EEUU, comprometidos colaboradores de este proyecto. El propósito de este encuentro fue la donación e instalación de un Sistema Automático de Cámaras destinadas a monitorear el peso de los cóndores que vuelan libremente en los alrededores de PAILEMAN,explicar su manejo y beneficios. Este Sistema permitirá supervisar los cambios de peso en las aves y el seguimiento de sus condiciones físicas, ya que un cóndor con bajo peso podría encontrarse enfermo y cuanto antes los biológos tengan la información, será la captura para su evaluación.

Este Sistema cuenta con una gran balanza y una cámara, la cuál se sitúa apuntando y focalizando la escala en la balanza, cualquier ave que aterriza en la misma provocará automáticamente el disparo de la foto y luego al ser vista en la computadora, se podrá obtener con presición el peso del ave. Jim, Walter y colaboradores de BIOANDINA, trabajaron en el sitio de las liberaciones para encontrar el lugar adecuado para instalar el equipo, decidiendo finalmente colocar una balanza arriba del corral donde estan los condores jovenes que serán liberados y la otra afuera del corral donde conviven los cóndores para su reproducción.Finalizada la tarea, el grupo se sintió entusiasmado ante las posibilidad que este compromiso solidario entre ambos países brinde mejoras para la protección y entendimiento de estas magnificas aves!

Fotos de cóndores de California en los EE.UU. que se han adoptado con el mismo enfoque automático de la cámara se puede ver aquí:

http://www.nps.gov/pinn/naturescience/condorcam1.htm?eid=126235&root_aId=140#e_126235


English Version
NOTES FROM THE FIELD - Jim Petterson; MARCH 2009
INSTALLATION OF AUTOMATIC CAMERA SYSTEM

Partners are working with the California Condor Recovery Program (Pinnacles National Monument, Pinnacles Partnership, and the Ventana Wildlife Society) were able to contribute funds to donate an automatic camera system to the Bioandina Andean Condor Program near Paileman, Patagonia. The focus of this trip was to deliver the equipment and assist with the installation of the camera system. This technique will be used to monitor the weights of Andean condors flying free in the vicinity of the Paileman release site. Identical systems have been used in the U.S. to help monitor the physical condition of condors by tracking their weight over time. The camera is set up to focus on the scale and any bird landing on it causes the camera to automatically take a picture. By looking at the scale photos on a computer, the scale dial can be read and the bird's weight recorded. A bird that experiences a large loss of weight may be sick and the sooner biologists know this, the earlier that bird can be captured for evaluation to try to find out why the bird has lost weight.

Jim, Walter Kaufmann, and other volunteers from Bioandina spent time at the release site evaluating potential sites for placing the scales and camera. We ultimately decided to put one scale in the upper flight pen where young birds awaiting release are kept, and the other scale with the camera outside the flight pen where the breeding pair of condors are kept. The photos shown above were taken at the second site.

Photos of California condors in the U.S. that have been taken using the same automatic camera approach can be seen here:
http://www.nps.gov/pinn/naturescience/condorcam1.htm?eid=126235&root_aId=140#e_126235

We are excited at the prospects for using this approach to better protect and understand these magnificent birds!!

Notes from the Field

Notes from the Field: Scott Scherbinski
October 19, 2008, Meeting with Ranchers

We have spent the last week traveling to a few small villages around Paileman, talking with local ranchers about the condor project and some of the issue facing wildlife. As we approach each ranch house we are always greeted by the families with a smile, a handshake and “Pase. Pase.”, inviting us into their homes, then, “Tome mate?”, to invite us to share in mate. On our first stop we talk with Senor Curiqueo, who showed us petroglyphs on the cliffs above his house and invited us to return for dinner and a place to sleep. We continued on and met with other families with equal generosity. The majority of people we talked with had never met any of us before although many knew of the condor project. All were interested in the condors and wished the project well. They were concerned about the potentially poisoning of condors and were very interested in alternative methods to reduce the risks of condors feeding on laced carcasses.

As we pulled up to another ranch several girls played out front. They greeted us with the customary kiss on the cheek and directed us behind the house where family and neighbors were separating a cow from the herd for slaughter. With the cow lassoed, it was dragging one of the men toward a hillside as two other men chased behind trying to get another lasso on the cow. Walter, Marcelo and myself immediately jumped in to help stop the animal before the rancher was drug through the brush. After a few minutes, we were all breathing heavy and exchanged smiles as the cow was finally on the ground and ready for slaughter. We were invited to stay for a meal and spent the afternoon discussing the project and their concerns as ranchers.

Our next stop was at the home of Pepo. We met him earlier on the road where he told us the story of seeing condors in the mountains when he was younger and of recently having one of the released condors fly low enough over him to hear the wind in its feathers. Again we were generously invited into his home for mate and given fresh meat for our dinner.

Notes from the Field

Note from the Field: Scott Scherbinski
October 12, 2008, Peninsula Valdes

For the past several days Ana and I have taken a break from the fieldwork in Sierra Paileman and traveled to the coast. We visited Peninsula Valdes, a provincial reserve that encompasses a wide variety of marine mammals, as well as terrestrial mammals and birds. There are breeding colonies of Southern Elephant Seals, Southern Sea Lions, Magellanic Penguins, Southern Right Whales and Orcas. We stopped by an area favored by Southern Right Whales and saw an amazing number of whales as they approach close to shore. There were so many whales in this area that they were everywhere we looked and they were so close we could hear them vocalize. We also saw several whale carcasses that had washed up on the beach. A scene that reminded me of Big Sur, California where California Condors regularly feed on sea lion and whale carcasses. This seems like an ideal place and only a matter of time before Andean Condors fly here and discover this food source.

We also traveled to Punto Tombo where there is a huge breeding colony of Magellanic Penguins. It was an incredible sight to walk through this semi-arid scrubland and see tens of thousands of penguins walking around and crawling in and out of burrows where they nest.

Traveling up and down the coast, as well through Cordoba and Buenos Aires, I can’t but help to notice how the image of the condor is everywhere. It is used on clothing, there is El Condor bus line, it is used as a street name and as a store name, and by airlines as name for a frequent fliers club. There seems to be a deep appreciation for the condors as a symbol of the country and the beauty of wilderness. It has been a great few days but Ana and I are both anxious to get back to Paileman and to hear how the condors are doing.

Notes from the Field

Notes from the Field: Scott Scherbinski
October 7, 2008, Condor 26 Re-released

Condor 26 was re-released two days ago after being back in the flight pen for a couple of weeks. Time in the flight pen gave her the opportunity to feed and drink and gave the field crew the opportunity to closely monitor her for potential injury or illness. Fortunately she was looking health and strong and Walter released her as Marcelo, Ana and I watched from below, ready to follow her if she chose to fly far from the release area. 26 did fly from area, fortunately not far out over the flat grazing lands as she did initially. But, unfortunately she flew into the territory of a pair of Aguila Moras, or Black Chested Buzzard Eagles. As she flew the eagles repeatedly stooped on her, slamming in to her with open talons and forcing her to land. Once perched on a rock outcropping the eagles continued to stoop and strike her. At one point it appeared as 26 might be knocked off her perch. She was able to tuck in behind a boulder where the eagles could not get to her. As a biologist it is a paradox. On one hand, it is amazing to witness the natural struggle for life and power of these eagles. On the other hand, it is difficult to watch as an animal in which so much time and effort has been placed is in a legitimate struggle for its life. Walter, Marcelo and I watched from below, grimacing and flinching with each pass of the eagles. At this point even if we wanted to intervene there was nothing we could do. Finally, after several passes the eagles relent enough for 26 to escape and fly out of their territory. Incredible.

In addition to keeping an eye on the young condors as they begin to take longer and longer flights, we have also been observing two adult condors in the Voladora. This is a flight pen that has been built into the rock face of a cliff. The hope is that the condors inside will breed and their young will be released with other captive bred condors. This is an impressive pen. Build around a natural cave in the rock to be used as a nest cavity with an open view of the surrounding cliffs. Just looking at the structure you know a great deal of work went into moving materials into place, bolting down the supports and constructing the steel mesh of the walls. When I ask the crew they smile and sigh, as just the thought of the work they put in to this pen is tiring. Walter, Mauricio, and Marcelo built this pen in only three weeks. It is impressive to hear how much they accomplish. In what is becoming routine, I am again impressed with their dedication, hard work and resourcefulness.

In the evening, when we aren’t hiking slabs of carcasses to the tops of the ridgeline for the new released condors to feed on, we take turns cooking dinner. We often stop be the home of the Botana family, who graciously share meals of asado lamb and empanadas. We play jenga and even foosball or as they call it metro gol. Their generosity is amazing and seemingly never ending.

Notes from the Field

Notes from the Field: Scott Scherbinski
September 30, 2008, Field Work

Everyone traveling to Sierra Paileman for the release has returned home, the newest group of birds has been out for just under two weeks and condor 26 was returned to the flight pen one week ago. It is back to the Paileman field crew, Walter, Mauricio, Marcelo, volunteer Ana from Brazil and myself tracking and observing the condors. We have been observing the three young birds as they make their first awkward flights and even more awkward landings. A few of the older condors, including the apparently inseparable duo of 4 and 6, have been passing through to check out and haze the new birds. 26 has fed and is looking strong inside the flight pen. Hopefully we will be able to release her soon.

As we take turns watching the condors and brewing mate, we have time to talk about the challenges of the project. We rehash the series of events that lead to bringing 26 back into captivity and hypothesis about ways to make releasing captive bred condors into the wild more efficient. The crew here has been impressed with the system of scales and cameras we use in California to track the weights of condors in the field. With known weights of these birds it can be easier to assess their health and help to make management decisions. As Denise and Jim have discussed with Luis and Vanessa, this seems like a great opportunity to collaborate and support the project here in Paileman.

When I ask the field crew what aspect of the project they feel is important, they all say “Education.” Here in Argentina, as in California, there are practices that unintentionally affect the condors and other non-target species. Local rancher use highly toxic poisons to control predator population. Unfortunately condors have fed on these laced carcasses and died. It is the same story in California, where we use rifles and, typically, lead ammunition to control predators. Condors feeding on these carcasses risk possible lead poisoning. The crew here talks about educational trips to local schools were they discuss the biology and cultural aspects of the Andean Condor with the students. They also discuss captive breeding efforts and threats to condors in the wild. In addition to this the crew travels through the area talking and working with ranchers to find alternative methods to reduce risks to non-target species. Again, I am amazed to hear how similar these efforts are to our efforts in California and how the crew here accomplishes all of this work. It definitely gives me an appreciation for the crew and resources we have at Pinnacles.

Summary of Pan American Partnership in Condor Restoration

PanAmerican Partnership in Condor Restoration 2009

The giant scavenger with a 9 ½ foot wingspan that once soared over woolly mammoths still exists today, but just barely. In the 1980’s there were only 22 California condors left in the world. Since that time, through dedicated efforts of scientists and citizens, we are at just over 300. The same endangered plight is occurring in South America with cousin, the Andean condor. To share in conservation efforts and raise the profile of these endangered animals across continents, Pinnacles National Monument with counterparts in California and Argentina have formed a PanAmerican Partnership in Condor Restoration.

Thanks to generous grants from the National Park Foundation, San Juan Bautista Rotary Club and Pinnacles Partnership, a National Park Service team of Pinnacles condor biologists and managers went to Argentina in September 2008 to begin the exchange. The Andean condor ranges throughout much of South America. It is a close cousin of the California condor, where conservation strategies between the two condor species are very similar from both a biological and cultural perspective.

Accomplishments of the recent visit included:
1. Established a condor biologist exchange to share innovative technology and conservation methods. Pinnacles condor biologist Scott Scherbinski spent 6 weeks working intensively with the Argentine condor program.

Immediate benefits to the California program include using an innovative script developed by Argentine biologists that applies Google Earth to present the distribution and range of condors over time. This works well using the data collected from condors with wing mounted GPS transmitters. Other benefits include experiencing first hand the impressive close cultural connections in the Argentine program where local ranching communities and indigenous groups are key supporters and advocates for condor conservation. We are using this model to increase our efforts in this realm. For example, the Amah Mutsun tribe was a prominent participant in the November 2008 condor release ceremony - performing songs and stories about the cultural significance of the condor.


Pinnacles biologists identified ways in which the Argentina program could benefit from our methods. The first priority is to install a remotely triggered camera pointed at scale with a perch so that the Andean condors’ weight can be measured non-invasively. Our partners from the Ventana Wildlife Society will assist in making this purchase possible.

We are also providing a comprehensive literature review to a condor researcher at the University of Cordoba in Argentina.

2. Preparing a Memorandum of Agreement with a “sister park” Parque Nacional Quebrada del Condorito in the Argentine province of Cordoba. The 5 year agreement outlines commonalities between our parks and a desire to collaborate in condor related issues, but also in general park operations such as visitor services, trails, fire management, invasive species control and law enforcement.

3. Creating a tangible product of our partnership - a customized reusable bag with project logo and partners listed that acts as both a walking billboard from proud supporters and a project fundraiser. The bag also supports the ethic to lessen the use of disposable plastic bags - a chronic threat to wildlife around the world.

Goals of the PanAmerican Partnership in 2009:
1. Enable Argentine counterparts to tour California program. Bring one biologist and one park manager to California in 2009.

Measureable outcomes in 2009 include:
a) identify additional collaborative benefits.
b) receive Google Earth script from Fundacion Bioandina and apply to Pinnacles distribution data.
c) receive guidance from Fundacion Bioandina in improving the cultural aspects of condor reintroduction through closer connections to the ranching and indigenous communities (for example, we were provided some key contacts in North America to help us foster this effort in the indigenous community).
d) submit a joint grant proposal to address the major threat on both continents - secondary poisoning.
e) gain interest from a major periodical to highlight this PanAmerican effort.
f) finalize Memorandum of Agreement with Parque Nacional Quebrada del Condorito.
g) provide a remote camera and scale to the Argentina condor program (Fundacion Bioandina).
h) produce customized reuseable bag and find vendors for its distribution and sale in the United States and Argentina.