Any eggs produced by Gryph and Quechua would be invaluable to condor conservation. Wild condors are facing an uncertain future, as habitat loss and pesticides have caused their numbers to quickly drop. Condors, like the turkey vultures in our own backyards, are an important part of the ecosystems they live in. They scavenge leftovers other predators leave behind, which helps keep habitats clean and prevent the spread of disease. The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden partners with the Andean Condor Species Survival Plan (SSP) to help raise healthy condors in human care so condors can be re-introduced to the wild in the future.

The next time you’re here at the zoo, swing by Roo Valley to say hi to our condors and ask our Animal Excellence Scientists if they have any “egg-citing” updates to share!