 Spectacular Condors forge a unique link between Wales and Ecuador The completion of a new £100,000 Condor Haven at the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay has led to the creation of a unique project between conservationists in Ecuador and Wales. The project, titled Condor Huasi, (translating into "House of the Condor" from the native Indian Quichua language), is a wildlife conservation and education initative that aims to raise awareness among children and the general public of Ecuador on the importance of environmental and wildlife conservation in the Andean highlands known as Paramo- with specific emphasis in the issues concerning the survival of its "anchor species" the Andean Condor.
|
|
| |
 Using the new exhibit as a focal point, the zoo aims to raise awareness of the project amongst visitors. The zoo's Andean Condors, Sonya and Gus, who are part of a carefully controlled European Breeding Programme and have been resident at the Zoo for over 20 years, will enter their new home at 10am on Tuesday 22nd August. Fernando Polanco, Executive Director, Fundación Galo Plaza Lasso (The umberella organisation which governs the Condor Project) said 'we, at the Galo Plaza Lasso Foundation- Proyecto Condor Huasi, are very grateful for the Zoological Society of Wales' commitment to our project. We believe that commitments such as this one will help the majestic Andean Condors to once again soar the Andean skies or Ecuador in greater numbers, and we hope that the first step will provide the basis for a wider cooperation between both our organisations in the future to come'. |
|
 Nick Jackson, Zoological Director at the Welsh Mountain Zoo said "By investing directly into Condor conservation in their native habitat as well as in our breeding project in Colwyn Bay we can help sustain these magnificent birds into the long term future". Date: 17 August 2006 |
|
