Authorities find 20 birds, two of them dead, after they crashed into rocks in the Andes and say they may have eaten poisoned meat

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

Chilean authorities are investigating the apparent poisoning of 20 condors in the Andes after two birds died, authorities revealed on Monday.

On Sunday, witnesses reported condors crashing into rocks high in the mountains near a hydroelectric power plant. Officials and volunteers rescued 17 birds that had crash-landed and were foaming from the beak and apparently too weak or dizzy to take off again. Another sick condor and two dead birds were found on Monday.

The birds are being treated at a veterinary clinic in the city of Los Andes, 40 miles (70km) east of the capital, Santiago.

"The hypothesis is that they suffered organophosphate poisoning after they were exposed to insecticides used for agriculture," said veterinarian Eric Savard, who has been treating them.

The 18 survivors are recovering after being treated with an antidote, antibiotics and saline solution, Savard said, and will remain under intensive care for 10 days.

Vergara said two dead foxes and a dead cow were also discovered in the same area and samples have been sent to a laboratory for testing. Officials say the birds could have eaten poisoned meat or drunk water contaminated with insecticides.

When they regain strength, the birds will be taken to Santiago's Metropolitan zoo for further care and released in the same place where they were found, Pablo Vergara, regional director of Chile's agriculture and livestock service, told local media.

The Andean condor is one of the largest flying birds in the world and biologists estimate only a few thousand are left in the wild. They have wingspans of up to 10ft (3m) and can glide on air currents for hours.