Title
Censo Nacional del Condor Andino en Ecuador 2015
Author(s)
Naveda-Rodriguez, A.; Vargas, F.H.; Kohn, S.; Zapata-Rios, G.
Published
2015
Abstract
The Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) in Ecuador is classified as Critically Endangered (CR). Before 2015, standardized and systematic estimates of population size and structure were not available hampering the assessment of the current status and hindering the design and implementation of effective conservation actions. In this context, the Andean Condor National Working Group (GNTCA) and the Ministry of Environment of Ecuador (MAE), through the “Paisajes – Vida Silvestre” Project, led the National Census of Andean Condors in Ecuador on September 29th and 30th, 2015. A simultaneous survey was performed in 70 roosting sites identified by means of satellite telemetry and information provided by park rangers of MAE. During the two-day census, 93 Andean Condors were recorded and a population of 94 to 102 individuals was estimated. In this population, 65% corresponded to mature individuals whereas 35% were juveniles (adult-to-juvenile ratio 1:0.5). The number of males, females and unknown age and sex was 32%, 39% and 29% respectively (male-tofemale ratio 1:1.2). Results on age and sex structure are similar to those found in other countries where the species occur. Estimated population size represent 0.9% of the global population and population density in Ecuador is 0.18 individuals/100 km2 , a value substantially lower to those reported in Argentina and Bolivia. The roosting sites were distributed in 11 provinces and 27 counties, being Azuay and Pichincha provinces those with the greatest number of surveyed roosting sites. Roosting sites located in Pichincha, Napo, Imbabura and Loja provinces reported the greatest number of Andean condors. Thirteen roosting sites were located inside the National System of Protected Areas (SNAP), and the absolute number of condors within SNAP varied between two and eight individuals. We highlight the effectiveness of the sampling protocol used to estimate the population size of Andean Condors in Ecuador, which should be implemented with the same sampling effort in future surveys; only in this way we will then be able to quantitatively monitor population trends of Andean Condors in Ecuador.
Full Citation
Naveda-Rodriguez, A., F. H. Vargas, S. Kohn, and G. Zapata-Rios, G. (2015) Censo Nacional del Condor Andino en Ecuador 2015. Quito, Ecuador: Ministerio del Ambiente and Grupo Nacional de Trabajo del Condor Andino en Ecuador, 1-18.

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