You’ve probably realised that we really are keen on vultures. We’ve got Ruppell’s Griffons, Eurasian Griffons, the bundle of mischief that is Archer our American Turkey vulture and we have the only Andean condor in Scotland. Our special condor is called Ana and we’ve had her since she fledged in 2017 and left her parents, who were both part of a UK-based breeding programme.

We acquired Ana because, almost inevitably, Andean condors have suffered from serious population decline in their native habitat in South America. To that end we are working with the Horstmann Trust in a long term prjoect to reintroduce captive-bred birds back into the wild. The plan has to be long term because these massive birds take several years to reach sexual maturity and, when (and if) they breed, they only lay one or two eggs. Given mortality rates in young birds, as well as habitat loss and poisoning and shooting, it doesn’t take much for wild populations to collapse.

We built a custom aviary for Ana and, to be honest, she does get special treatment because she is a special bird. In due course we hope to find a mate for her and then, with a bit of luck, see some eggs and chicks. That’s a couple of years off yet, but we are in touch with a network of like-minded centres with Andean condors, so that we can check blood lines and suitability for a breeding programme.
In the meantime you can come and visit Ana or, even better, you can take part in a unique Condor Experience day where you can join Ana and our falconers in our private flying field where you’ll see the only Andean condor in Scotland take to the skies to stretch her massive wings. Call the centre or email us on info@worldofwings.co.uk for more information on these very special days.