Overlooking Otavalo and the beautiful volcanic mountains that surround it, lies Parque Condor. This is one of the most picturesque and inviting avian parks I have visited and it has become a favorite destination for our family. Cobblestone paths wind through beautiful gardens and large bamboo cages that house the park's many birds.
All of the park's winged inhabitants have been rescued, mainly from illegal traffickers or brought in due to gunshot wounds, car collisions and the likes. All birds that can be rehabilitated are released back into the wild and the rest find a reasonably nice home in the park.
On our most recent visit (during the grandmas gone wild trip) there was a very special visitor at the park. A wild Andean Condor, one of only 40 left in the country, soared over the park and eventually landed on a rock outcropping just outside the captive condors cage. After several minutes, during which the captive male strutted around and did everything in his power to attract her, she spread her enormous wings(roughly 9-10 feet) and flew off into the mountains.
The rare Oakes Condor |
Great piece, K.
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