Protecting the Andean Condor
Location: Angochagua, Ecuador
Project partner: Galo Plaza Lasso Foundation
LATA Foundation contribution: £7,000
The Cóndor Huasi project supports the conservation of the endangered Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) in Ecuador, where only around 150 individuals are estimated to remain in the wild.
Managed by the Galo Plaza Lasso Foundation, Cóndor Huasi is home to two breeding pairs and currently cares for ten condors, including five juveniles, four adults and one chick. The project combines conservation with environmental education and welcomes national and international visitors, including guests from nearby Hacienda Zuleta.
The Project
The LATA Foundation is supporting the construction of a dedicated veterinary clinic at Cóndor Huasi. The facility will provide a safe, properly equipped space for the condors’ annual health checks and veterinary care, replacing the current practice of using the Interpretation Centre for medical treatment.
The new clinic will also support veterinary training, providing opportunities for students to gain practical experience through wildlife medical brigades and helping to build local capacity for conservation.
Construction is being funded jointly by the LATA Foundation and the Galo Plaza Lasso Foundation, with local labour prioritised where possible.
Conservation and tourism
Tourism plays an important role in sustaining Cóndor Huasi. Visitors pay an entrance fee that includes a guided tour, with income contributing towards the condors’ food, veterinary care, staff and maintenance of the aviary. Guests from Hacienda Zuleta also make voluntary donations to support the project.
This creates a direct connection between responsible tourism and conservation, allowing visitors to learn about one of Ecuador’s most threatened species while contributing to its protection.
Our aims
The project aims to:
- Improve veterinary care and biosecurity for the Andean condors at Cóndor Huasi
- Strengthen the long-term conservation of this endangered species
- Provide practical training opportunities for future wildlife professionals
- Continue raising awareness of Andean condor conservation among visitors and local communities
- Strengthen the role of sustainable tourism in supporting conservation
Why we are supporting this project
The LATA Foundation is supporting Cóndor Huasi because it demonstrates how tourism can directly contribute to wildlife conservation. The project already has an established tourism model, strong local partnerships and a sustainable source of income through visitor fees and donations.
By helping to complete the new veterinary clinic, the LATA Foundation is contributing to a specific piece of infrastructure that will improve the care of the condors and support the project’s long-term sustainability.