• 7 years ago
LONCOPUÉ, ARGENTINA — Video of a large, wild condor hugging a rancher has gone viral online, and sparked interest as to the relationship between the two.

A few months ago, a rancher named Edgardo spotted a baby condor in his backyard struggling with a leg injury, a few miles away from where condors nest. Wildlife authorities said the male condor pigeon was born in October and had likely lost his parents, so Edgardo took it upon himself to be the bird’s family.

Edgar playfully named the condor “Condorito,” after a famous Chilean comic strip character. When he’d find dead animals on his property, Edgardo would leave them for Condorito, knowing the bird would need to learn to fend for himself if he was to return to the wild.

The circulating video clip shows the now massive Condorito walking to Edgardo when his name is called. They hug and smile for the camera, and the bird shows clear signs of affection toward his savior.

According to Los Andes, the Buenos Aires Eco-Park, formerly a zoo, wants to take the bird into their care, but Edgardo believes Condorito is more comfortable at his ranch. This past week, Condorito began flying, and as his visits back to Edgardo’s ranch become less frequent, it’s hoped he manages to survive on his own in the wild.

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