Sad News for the National Aviary's Condor--and Human--Family
The Aviary's rare condor chick has died, just two days after it hatched.
For weeks we've been telling you about the great anticipation in advance of the hatching of a rare Andean Condor chick at the Pittsburgh Aviary, located in Pittsburgh -- a hatching that fans would be able to watch on a live web cam.
Rare Condor Egg is Hatching: Watch it Live!
WATCH: Webcam Will Show Endangered Condor Hatching
The chick did hatch on Friday, but we're sad and sorry to report that it didn't survive.
A release from the Aviary says "Early the morning of Sunday, June 9, we observed abnormal parenting behavior by the male condor, Lurch, and unfortunately, we have determined that the chick has not survived. We are all deeply saddened by this news."
"The entire staff of the National Aviary is deeply saddened, but we remain hopeful for the future of our condor breeding program."
We asked the Aviary to explain what exactly the male condor did, and Robin Weber, Senior Director, Marketing & Community Relations e-mailed us back saying: It is normal parenting behavior for the male and female to take turns brooding and feeding the chick in the nest. That behavior had been observed regularly and consistently with the parents over the first two days. Then abruptly, the male condor removed the chick from the nest. Removing the chick from the nest is abnormal behavior, and, unfortunately and the chick did not survive. We do not have additional details and may never really understand the sudden change in behavior of the male condor. While this was unpredictable, it is not uncommon in the bird and animal kingdom.