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News > Latin America

Argentina: 23 Andean Condors Poisoned by Agrotoxics

  • At least 23 condors were found dead in two Argentine provinces.

    At least 23 condors were found dead in two Argentine provinces. | Photo: Programa Conservacion Condor Andino

Published 31 October 2018
Opinion

In 2018, 90 Andean Condors have been found dead in Argentina due to poisoning.

Agrotoxics in Argentina killed at least 33 condors, the emblematic and endangered Andean birds, this week.

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The specimens were found in the provinces of Santa Cruz (10) and Neuquen (13).

In Neuquen, labs determined the 13 condors died after eating meat poisoned by local farmers to kill wild animals that might endanger cattle.

According to the Bioandina Argentina Foundation, which carried out the lab analysis, the specimens were poisoned by organophosphorus compounds that are prohibited in the country.

Dogs, cats, and other birds were also found dead in the areas, the Programs for the Conservation of the Andean Condor reported this Monday.

Only in Argentina, in 2018, 90 condors have been found dead. In January, 34 condors were found dead in the province in Mendoza due to the same reason.

Luis Jacome, the foundation’s president told the local newspaper, Rio Negro, that “the increase in deaths of condors are due to the indiscriminate use of toxic baits that are banned and agrotoxics that are sold over the counter. People have no idea how much damage they can cause. To be in contact with these products can kill anyone.”

The organization Aves Argentinas (Argentine Birds), which lamented the massive death, is also demanding a Law of Traceability and Prescription of Agrochemicals to avoid these incidents from happening again.

Condors are national symbols throughout South America and carry great symbolic significance for Indigenous cultures throughout the Andean Mountain range that associate the 9-feet bird with the sun deity, health, and power.

  
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