Condors and Pumas both being majestic and symbolic species of the Andes, are endangered by human activities. Centuries of habitat loss, dwindling food supplies, human persecution, and the impact of the pesticide DDT on the bird's reproductive success have restricted once-robust populations of the condor to remote sections of the high Andes in Peru, Chile, and Argentina.



Read more about condors, their natural history and conservation status.

The puma was eliminated from the entire eastern half of North America within 200 years following European colonization. Forests were cut down for timber and fuel, deer populations were greatly reduced, and pumas were hunted out. Any remaining eastern populations are considered Critically Endangered. It has also gone from the more densely settled areas of South America. Read more about pumas, their natural history and conservation status.

Andean condors are clearly adapted for exceptionally low mortality and reproductive output, and are therefore highly vulnerable to human persecution, which persists over most of its range owing to alleged attacks on livestock..

Even if people do not directly hunt the condor, they often put out poisoned carcasses in order to kill pumas or the condors themselves. Condors fall victim to these carcasses.

Hunting is the biggest threat to pumas in Latin America. In Peru Andean people are used to kill every puma that comes in sight. At our first visit in the study area in the valley of the river Chancay we already found the dead body of a puma being killed in one of the Andean towns. There is very little information about the conservation status of pumas in the local population. Environmental education and giving value to pumas due tourism development are the key strategies Mundo Azul will focus on in its future conservation work.

A first and necessary step however s to study the size of the remaining puma populations in the Andes in order to identify key areas and develop conservation strategies. Equally population surveys are needed for the condor.

This program will lead you into the central Andean mountain region of the River Chancay.

As Mundo Azul conservation volunteer you have the unique opportunity to take part in an effort to conserve pumas, condors and an entire habitat. While being in the survey area you also have the opportunity to visit the amazing archeological sites of Rupak and Chiprak being two former cities of the pre-inca culture the Atavillos. You will find entire cities with many intact two story buildings overlooking the valley from an altitude of 3400 meters.
You will be able to spot a huge number of birds of prey, humming birds and other species as well as vicuñas, deer and other wildlife.

See a slideshow of the way to Chiprak

See a slideshow of the way to Rupak

See a video of Rupak


Together with us you will explore the Andes in order to:

• Create a rapid assessment of bird diversity in the area

• Search for condors and their nesting sites and count them

• Survey for pumas and count them

• Survey vicuña and deer populations

The information obtained with this study will help to define future conservation activities of Mundo Azul in the area and lay the ground for us lobbying for the declaration of a private conservation area in order to protect the condor and puma population.

Project skills required

The survey area lies between 3400 and 4500 meters of altitude and you will be camping in tents and trekking during the day. This program is physically demanding and you should consider your physical condition before applying to this program.

Apart of physical fitness participation as a volunteer in the condor and puma survey requires no specialized skill-set. You will be oriented and trained by our research team to participate fully in the project once you arrive at the study site. Although our field staff speaks English, a little Spanish is of course to your advantage in communications with locals. The only skill we ask for is patience, which is important while learning a new language and negotiating new and different local customs.

We hope that volunteers are open to new adventures, committed to the objectives of the project, and are able to live in a simple environment, in constant and close contact with nature.

In 2008 we will implement 4 field surveys, each with duration of 14 days and starting on the first Sunday of each month:

• April 2008
• May 2008
• August 2008
• October 2008

The participation fees for these surveys are: 1200 Euros. For payment in $US please consult with us current exchangerates.

The participation fee includes all your transport (from Lima to the project area and back as well as within the project area), lodging and food costs, as well as a percentage to support the research program. We will provide tents and camping equipment. You need to bring your personal sleeping back and mattress. Your personal backpack, food, camping equipment, food and water will be transported via donkey and with the help of locals. Part of the volunteers’ duties is to help with camp-site construction and cooking.

In order to take part in this program contact us, tell us the month you wish to take part and request further information.