Vulture News 61 September 2011 Trade in Andean Condor Vulture gryphus feathers and body parts in the city of Cusco and the Sacred Valley, Cusco region, Peru Robert S. R. Williams1*, Jose Luis Jara1, Daphne Matsufuiji2 and Anahi Plenge2 1Frankfurt Zoological Society and the Andean Condor Working Group – Peru 2Clorinda Matto de Turner 305, Urb. Magisterio, Cusco, Peru *Corresponding author: [email protected] Summary The sale of Andean Condor feathers and body parts is undertaken openly in the tourist markets of Cusco and the Sacred Valley. This trade is illegal but there is no enforcement of existing legislation. We visited the main tourist markets of the region to ascertain the extent of the trade, reasons motivating it and value. We found condor feathers for sale in 26 establishments. Feathers were sold singly, decorated and incorporated in handicrafts. Prices ranged from 5 soles for a small body feather to 160 soles for a main primary and we found handicrafts for sale at prices of up to 650 soles (featuring 6 feathers). We were offered a whole condor for sale at a market in Cusco for 2,500 soles. Investigations revealed that there are condor hunters working to supply this trade in both the Cordillera Vilcabamba and Cordillera Vilcanota and that the town of Calca is the base of much of the handicraft production. The trade is mainly based on three uses: alternative healing, shamanic ceremonies and souvenirs. It is crucial that the Peruvian authorities honour their commitments under international conventions and act immediately to stop this illegal trade, which is further threatening a species that is already in a precarious situation. Resumen La venta de plumas y otras partes del cuerpo de Cóndor Andino se lleva a cabo abiertamente en los mercados turísticos de Cusco y el Valle Sagrado. Esta actividad es ilegal, pero no hay cumplimiento de la legislación vigente. Hemos visitado los principales mercados turísticos de la región para determinar el alcance del comercio, y las razones que lo motivan así, como su valor. Encontramos plumas de cóndor en venta en 26 establecimientos. Las plumas se venden por separado, también como decoración o incorporado en la artesanía. Los precios varían desde 5 soles por una pluma de cuerpo pequeña hasta los 160 soles por una primaria principal; también se encontró algunas http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/vulnew.v61i1.2 16 September 2011 Vulture News 61 artesanías para la venta a precios de hasta 650 soles (con 6 plumas). También, nos ofrecieron a la venta un cóndor completo en un mercado de Cusco por 2.500 soles. Las investigaciones revelaron que hay cazadores de cóndores que trabajan para suplir esta demanda, tanto en la cordillera de Vilcabamba como en la cordillera de Vilcanota y que la ciudad de Calca es la base de gran parte de la producción artesanal. El comercio se basa principalmente en dos usos: en la medicina alternativa y ceremonias chamanísticas, y como recuerdo. Es crucial que las autoridades peruanas cumplen con sus compromisos bajo los convenciones internacionales y actuar de inmediato para hacer cumplir la ley y detener este actividad ilegal que está amenazando aún más esta especie que de por si se encuentra en una situación precaria. Introduction parts have resulted in an apparent ongoing The Andean Condor Vultur gryphus is decline in numbers (RW unpublished data). considered Near-threatened at a global In Peru, the Andean Condor is legally level (IUCN 2011) and Endangered in Peru protected in Peru by Articles 308 and 309 (Peru Supreme Decree 034-2004). In all of the Penal Code and Supreme Decree areas where there is reliable information 034-2004. These laws prohibit hunting, the species is considered to be declining capturing, possessing, transporting or and populations are becoming increasing trading in the species or its body parts and fragmented. In Peru, approximately 500 stipulate that such actions are theoretically condors are estimated to remain in the punishable by up to four years in prison or Andes and coastal areas but the species up to a year community service. However is undoubtedly declining throughout the to our knowledge there has never been a country (RW unpublished data). The main prosecution related to Andean Condors in cause of the species decline in Peru is Peru and the authorities responsible for probably the systematic legal persecution, implementing this have little interest or including both poisoning and shooting, knowledge of the situation. Consequently that was undertaken and encouraged illegal animal trafficking is widespread and by the Peruvian government during the obvious in Peru and many Peruvians are first half of the 20th Century, especially probably not even aware of its illegality. at Guano Islands along the coast in order This study aimed to evaluate the extent to protect the seabird colonies there and main locations of sale of Andean (Cushman 2003). More recently, illegal Condor feathers and body parts in tourist but deliberate persecution, lack of food, markets and shops after the lead author accidental poisoning, accidental death observed feathers for sale in various during traditional ceremonies and hunting locations. We also make recommendations for the illegal trade in feathers and body for a strategy for controlling this illegal 17 Vulture News 61 September 2011 trade. To our knowledge this is the first suspicious and refused to answer after a report of trade in the species. few questions. Where possible photos were taken of the feathers on display. Methods On 14 and 15 April 2010 a team of 10 Results people visited all the main tourist markets In total we visited more than 500 points of and shop areas in the city of Cusco and the sale (market stalls and shops) and found nearby Sacred Valley. We visited all shops Condor feathers and body parts openly and market stalls in these areas, totalling for sale in 26 different establishments. We just over 200 establishments (the exact observed a total of at least 344 Andean Condor feathers for sale including: 36 number is hard to define as it is often hard Primary feathers, 58 Secondary feathers, to distinguish different establishments 7 Tertial feathers, 9 tail feathers, as well in markets) and noted the presence of as 4 wing bones, 3 complete wings and condor feathers or body parts for sale. If two whole dead condors (Table 1). In some Condor derivatives were for sale we then shops it was not possible to correctly count attempted to obtain as much information all feathers and we also observed Andean as possible about the price, origin, use of Condor feathers in workshops and back the feathers and the level of awareness of rooms where we could not access to count. the shopkeeper of the legislation and the The numbers here are an underestimate conservation status of the condor, through of the total availability of Andean Condor the use of a semi-structured questionnaire feathers in the region. We estimate that (Appendix 1). The 7 simple questions what we observed must have originated were memorised and we remembered the from at least 8 different individual condors, answers received and recorded these after based on number and position of feathers the visit. Frequently shopkeepers became and age of the birds they were taken from. Table 1. Number of Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) feathers and body parts observed for sale on 14th and 15th April 2010 in Cusco and the Sacred Valley Type of Feather As single feathers In Handicrafts Primaries 30 6 Secondaries 22 14 Tertials 7 0 Tail 9 0 Greater Coverts 73 27 Others 100+ 56 Total Feathers 241 103 Wing Bones 4 Whole wings 3 Whole Condors 2 18 September 2011 Vulture News 61 We found that the main areas that sold Triunfo) and in the local market of San Condor feathers are: Pedro. Alternative healers and shamans Pisac. The sale of Condor feathers was in the San Blas area and on Calle Triunfo detected in seven shops, but not in the also use feathers. market stalls (though we have previously Ollantaytambo. Sale here was only in a seen decorated Condor feathers for sale on few shops near the handicraft market and stalls). It was concentrated on the south side one on the main square. of the market and in the street to the south- Huasao. This village is famous for its east. This is undoubtedly the main point shamans. Three Shamans that we visited of sale of Condor Feathers to tourists with had or used Condor feathers in their shops with up to 97 feathers on sale singly, healing ceremonies. The degree of use and decorated, in wands with crystals and Palo the need for replacement of these feathers is Santo handles, or in dream catchers. The unknown though one Shaman commented Shamanic and alternative healing industry that he did not believe in this and only used in Pisac is undoubtedly a large factor in the condor feathers on request. promotion of the use of condor feathers. Calca. Whilst we found no feathers for sale The availability of Condor feathers in in the town, this village has two workshops local stores has increased dramatically in that prepare handicrafts with Condor the last year based on our previous visits feathers and supply the market at Pisac. to the area and the opinion of several tour Prices for Condor products varied from guides interviewed. 5 soles for a single small body feather Cusco. We found condor feathers for sale to 150 soles for a main primary feather, in shops (Calle Triunfo and San Blas) and known locally as the “guia” (guide) and tourist markets (on Avenida El Sol, the up to 650 soles for “dream catchers” market at Calle Plateros 334 and on Calle incorporating 6 condor feathers (see Table 2 for full details of prices).