In absolutely adorable news, a rescued condor hatchling is cuddling with a stuffed toy in the absence of its mother.
Arizona non-profit Liberty Wildlife is taking care of the baby chick, who was found as an egg in the nest of a deceased California condor. To help with rehabilitation, the organization plans to match the newborn with a pair of foster parents. At some point, they will transfer the chick to the Peregrine Fund’s captive breeding facility, according to Smithsonian Magazine.
In the meantime, veterinarians gave the baby condor a stuffed animal that looks just like their mom. An adorable photo from the Peregrine Fund’s Instagram page shows the two getting along pretty well!
The Peregrine Fund is updating their followers on the chick’s progress via social media. In their first Instagram post, they included a sweet video of the baby condor and their plushie friend.
“On Tuesday, May, 9th, an egg of a female California condor who had succumbed to Avian Influenza, hatched,” read the caption. “The hatchling is currently in a brooder at @libertywildlifeaz with a big plush condor mom and doing well. Thank you to The Peregrine Fund team who successfully rescued the egg and to the crew at Liberty for taking such good care. With a proper permit, this hatchling will tentatively head to our captive breeding center where it will be fostered to health and hopefully, one day be returned to the wild.”
When wildlife officials found the egg, they confirmed that the chick’s mother died from HPAI. Also known as the H1N1 bird flu, this disease is spreading among California condors. However, the rescued chick tested negative for the illness.
To protect the endangered species, the USDA has approved an emergency vaccine.
“These birds are critically endangered, closely monitored and their population is very small, which allows close monitoring of the vaccine to ensure it is administered only to the approved population,” said the USDA statement (via Smithsonian Magazine).
Currently, officials are testing the vaccine on vultures in North Carolina. In the meantime, vets say the future is looking bright for the rescued condor hatchling.
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