In an effort to contribute to the conservation of Chile’s native species, Proyecto Manku and LATAM’s Solidarity Plane program completed the transfer of three condors on Monday. The birds will now be reintroduced into a natural environment in Patagonia National Park, located in the Aysén region.

The condors first underwent a rehabilitation process at the Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Center (CRAR) in Talagante, in the Metropolitan Region. Their relocation to Balmaceda was carried out by LATAM Cargo Group, after which they were transported by land to Patagonia National Park. There, they will go through a two-month acclimatization period before being released. The choice of this site is not random: one of the main condor populations is found between central Chile and Patagonia, where 70% of the species’ population lives.

To ensure the success of the air transport, LATAM Cargo Group coordinated efforts between multiple teams with extensive experience handling animals and delicate species. Every step of the process was carefully planned to safeguard the birds’ welfare and safety throughout the journey, reflecting the group’s commitment to the highest standards of care and quality in this type of operation.

“Releasing condors in the far south is highly beneficial, as they have abundant food sources and it allows us to study their ecology in an almost pristine environment. In central Chile, which is more densely populated, we continue to rehabilitate and monitor them as well. Understanding these differences is key to addressing the challenges of their conservation,” said Cristián Saucedo, Director of the Wildlife Program at Rewilding Chile.

Constanza Pizarro, Corporate Communications Manager at LATAM Airlines Group, added: “Our collaboration with Proyecto Manku reinforces the purpose of Solidarity Plane: using LATAM’s connectivity to generate positive impact in the regions where we operate. Supporting the transport of native wildlife during rehabilitation—such as these condors—is a tangible way to contribute to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem balance in Chile.”