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http://www.omniture.com --> Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement Email Story to a Friend May 4, 2006 A male Andean condor spreads its wings Wednesday after being released into its new habitat at Wildlife Images. (Mail Tribune / Jim Craven) Condor couple By Chris conrad Mail Tribune GRANTS PASS — David Siddon looked as if he wanted to hug the two Andean condors that arrived safely Wednesday afternoon at Wildlife Images Rehabilitation and Education Center. And had the birds not possessed wicked hooked claws, beaks like garden shears and 12-foot wingspans, he probably would've. "We're so glad to have them here, finally," he said. The condors were transported from the Wild Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis, under the direction of Walter Crawford. After watching Hurricane Katrina destroy several bird sanctuaries along the Gulf Coast, Crawford feared that a similar disaster could wipe out species of rare captive birds in the Midwest. He contacted Wildlife Images about nine months ago and requested that the condors, along with a black hawk, be relocated there for safe keeping. General manager Karen Peterkin looks forward to the challenge of getting the birds to breed. They hope a spiffy new habitat built especially for captive birds will foster a little avian romance. "This is a new experience for us," Peterkin said. "It takes us into a whole new area with the captive breeding program." The new habitat is an impressive 40 feet high and 30 feet wide by 20 feet deep, complete with camouflage netting, two large tree perches and enough dead venison to keep the two 30-pound birds happy for a long time. Andean condors seem to breed well in captivity, Siddon said. "We're expecting about a 90 percent chance that they'll breed successfully," Siddon said. "We're learning from people who have done it before." Andean condors are the world's largest flying birds. They inhabit the mountains of South America, particularly the Andes region. The eat mostly carrion and are a key part of the area's ecosystem. Tours of the sanctuary are free all year around, except on some holidays. To set up a tour, call 476-0222. Reach reporter Chris Conrad at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] . Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy