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Protocol for 

Importing Condors1from Mexico to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

2019

1. General requirements- Planned (non-emergency) Imports : 

Note: An import permit will not be issued until quarantine arrangements have 

been approve. 

1.1 The San Diego Zoo Safari Park–hereafter referred to as “The Zoo” must 

obtain an import permit for each importation of condors under this 

protocol. Restrictions will be specified on the permit. 

Note: Restrictions will differ for imports that are planned versus those that are 

imports of medical emergencies (unplanned). 

1.1.1 The Zoo can obtain an import permit as follows: 

a. A VS Form 17-129, “Application for Import or in Transit Permit,” along 

with the instructions, can be obtained by writing to or calling the 

National Import and Export Services at: 

National Import Export Services Unit 39 

4700 River Road 

Riverdale, MD 20737-1231 

301-851-3300, Menu Option 2 

Or by downloading the form from the APHIS Web site at: 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-and-animal-productimport-information/live-animal-imports/import-live-animals

Completed applications may be faxed to 301-734-4704, or may be 

emailed to VS.Live.Animals.Import.Permits@aphis.usda.gov

1.1.2 The applicable processing fee must accompany the permit 

application, and may be submitted by check, money order, credit 

card or by providing a USDA user fee account. Current fees can be 

found at the following web link: User fees

1.1.3 Submissions may be made by mail or fax to the Riverdale office 

above. 7-10 business days should be allowed for processing 

applications for importations that are being planned in advance 

1 1Condors- any species 
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under this protocol. Special processing considerations will be made 

to the extent possible for medical emergencies. 

1.1.4 If changes need to be made for a permit after it has been issued, 

there is an additional fee (See above web link for fees). 

1.1.5 Permits are valid for 30 days from the stated date of arrival to the 

U.S. 

1.2 After receiving an import permit, the zoo should contact the VS office 

listed on the permit at least 3 business days in advance of arrival of the 

condors to coordinate the import process. 

1.3 A current veterinary health certificate, issued within 30 days of 

importation and endorsed by a full-time salaried veterinarian of 

Mexico must accompany each shipment. The health certificate must be 

translated into English. 

1.4 Other VS forms (such as a Customs Declaration- VS 17-29) may be 

completed at the port of entry at arrival. The Zoo should make 

arrangements to meet with the VS port veterinarian upon arrival of the 

shipment at the first U. S. port of entry. 

1.5 The Zoo should contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) 

regarding any applicable permits or other importation requirements that 

agency may have in addition to APHIS’ requirements. 

2. Obtaining Approval and Re-approval for the San Diego Zoo Safari Park for Entry 

Quarantine

The VS contact person for approvals of the condor quarantine facility is:

Director of the Los Angeles port operations 

222 Kansas St., El Segundo, CA

310-955-3311 

2.1 The Zoo should provide the following information when seeking VS approval for any 

space or facility under the Zoo’s jurisdiction that will be used to quarantine the condors: 

i. Facility operator's name and address, if different from the San Diego 

Zoo’ point of contact information. 

ii. Condor Program veterinary coordinator, or other veterinary point of 

contact 

iii. Facility’s street address (or other information that provides for the 

identification of the physical location of the facility). 

iv. Blueprints or detailed drawings of the facility. 

v. The average and maximum number of condors to be quarantined. 

vi. Approximate date(s) the Zoo expects shipment for any planned 

importations 
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vii. Procedures that are in place for: 

1. The handling and care of the condors from the 

port-of-entry to the quarantine facility. 

2. The typical expected transportation route(s) and 

type (s). Transport of the shipment from the port of 

entry must be done under VS supervision and in a 

manner that mitigates the risk of disseminating 

disease to domestic poultry. 

3. Isolating the condor(s) from direct or indirect 

contact with all other avians at the Zoo. 

4. Preventing the entry of any unauthorized 

personnel, or other avians, to any quarantine 

holding or other treatment areas. 

5. The necropsy and disposal of any condors held in 

the facility that may die during quarantine. 

2.2 Review of application 

a. The Supervisor of the LA port will review the application to 

determine the completeness and adequacy of the information. 

2.3 Approval or Rejection of application: 

a. The Supervisor of the LA port will inform The Zoo in writing 

of the result of the application review. The Zoo will be given 

an estimate of user fees that may be incurred in the subsequent 

phases of the VS approval process. 

b. If the application is in order, the Supervisor of the LA port will 

contact The Zoo to schedule a VS inspection of the condor 

quarantine facility. 

c. If the facility is not approved, deficiencies will be presented in 

writing to the applicant. The Zoo may re-apply after corrective 

actions have been made. 

d. If the facility is approved, the Supervisor of the LA port will 

provide The Zoo with a Cooperative Agreement stipulating the 

conditions of approval and use of the facility; and the types of 

VS oversight and other services that will apply. User fees will 

apply. All fees must be paid before the end of a specific 

quarantine period. 

e. The Supervisor of the LA port will communicate to Riverdale 

when the facility has signed the Cooperative Agreement so that 

an import permit can be issued. 

2.3 Re-approval of quarantine facility for subsequent Imports 

a. Approvals are granted on a per-shipment basis. The importer 

should contact the Supervisor of the LA port at least 3 weeks 

prior to the ship date for planned importations under this 

protocol, and request a re-inspection of the facility. User fees 

will apply. 
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3. Health Certifications for Planned Imports 

Health Certificates must contain statements attesting to the health status of the 

condors in the shipment. Statements are summarized here: 

The condors for export: 

3.1 have been inspected within 24 hrs. of shipment to the U.S. by the veterinarian 

issuing the certificate. 

3.2 showed no evidence of Newcastle disease, Avian Influenza within the previous 90 

days 

3.3 showed no evidence of Chlamydiosis, or other communicable disease of avian during 

the 90 days immediately preceding their exportation. 

 3.4 either: have been vaccinated against Newcastle disease (avian paramyxovirus) at least 

21 days prior to export, using vaccines that do not contain any velogenic strains of 

Newcastle disease virus; OR: 

have not been vaccinated against Newcastle disease. (The health certificate must 

specify which applies). 

3.5 Were isolated for a minimum of 21 days immediately prior to export; the isolation was 

supervised by an official government veterinarian, or by a veterinarian in Mexico who 

issued the export health certificate and who has been authorized by the government to 

supervise the isolation period. 

3.6 were moved directly from the pre-export isolation location to the port of embarkation 

to the United States in containers sealed with official seals placed by the issuing 

veterinarian (Note: seal numbers must be provided). 

3.7 are identified by permanent identification- leg bands, tattoos, or microchips. 

3.8 were shipped in new or appropriately sanitized packaging materials. 

Note: The health certificate should reflect if the import is occurring due to medical 

reasons. 

4. U.S. Port Procedures 

At the first port of arrival into the United States, a VS port veterinarian will review 

all documentation. 
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4.1 All condors included in the shipment must be visually inspected by VS at the first port 

of arrival to the United States to determine fitness for further travel. Condors that 

appear ill will not be refused entry, but apparent ill health should be noted on VS 1-27 

by the port veterinarian. The accompanying health certificate should reflect if the 

importation is occurring due to medical reasons or as a planned import. Carriers will 

be re-sealed by a VS port veterinarian for movement to the quarantine site. A VS 

form 1-27 will be issued, with seal numbers attached if there will not be a VS escort of 

the shipment. If an escort is available, VS 1-27 is not necessary. 

4.2 The Zoo is responsible for providing transportation from the port of arrival to the site 

of quarantine. 

 

5. Quarantine Procedures 

5.1 All condors must be quarantined for a minimum of 30 days, or longer, if required 

by APHIS 

5. 2 During the quarantine period, condors will be tested by APHIS for avian influenza and 

Newcastle disease. Condors may be held for an additional length of time if any 

communicable disease becomes evident during the quarantine period; and will not be 

released until negative test results have been received and the animals are judged by APHIS 

to be clinically healthy. 

a. VS testing of condors will be performed or directly overseen by VS 

personnel. Testing will commence with cloacal swabbing on day 1 (or as near 

to day 1 as feasible) of the quarantine; a second swabbing will occur on or 

around day14. VS personnel will submit samples to NVSL per current test 

sample submission protocols. Any non-negative results for AI or ND will 

result in additional testing and/or other actions that will be stipulated by 

APHIS. 

5.3 If condors become ill for any reason other than from AI or ND, the Zoo may 

institute any treatment options while maintaining the condors in the quarantine. 

The Supervisor of the LA port must be kept apprised of all health related issues 

while the condor(s) is (are) in quarantine. 

5.4 Any condors that die while in quarantine may be required to be necropsied under 

APHIS supervision (in addition to any procedures elected by the Zoo). All 

carcasses must be incinerated or otherwise disposed of in a fashion directed by 

APHIS, and under APHIS supervision (as coordinated by the Supervisor of the LA 

port). 

5.5 At the time of release by APHIS from quarantine, a VS form 17-30 release form 

will be generated in VSPS to close the Import Request. 

6. Unplanned importations/emergencies 
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6.1 Condors from Mexico may be imported for medical emergencies under the 

following criteria: 

a. The Zoo must notify Supervisor of the LA port as soon as possible to explain 

the circumstances of the emergency and when the condor(s) is (are) due to be 

presented at the port of entry. 

b. The Zoo must contact the NIES Riverdale office to request an expedited 

import permit. Prior notification to the Supervisor of the LA port is essential 

to clearing import related procedures timely and with minimal fees assessed. 

c. The condor(s) will be temporarily housed (isolated apart from contact with 

avian or non-authorized humans) in facilities at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park 

that have been approved for previous condor quarantines. As soon as possible, 

the Zoo will work with VS to ensure the facility is re-approved as quarantine; 

the quarantine period does not officially begin until APHIS has reapproved the 

quarantine. A new Cooperative Agreement must be signed; User Fees apply. 

d. The shipment must be accompanied by an official health certificate, endorsed 

by the Mexico national competent authority for avian health. The health 

certificate must contain the following information: 

i. The condor(s) requires emergency medical 

examination or treatment in the United States at 

the San Diego Zoo, under the provisions of the 

Condor Conservation Program. 

ii. The condor(s) were moved directly from a 

veterinary or other holding facility in Mexico to 

the U.S. port of entry. 

iii. The condor(s) was (were) shipped in containers 

sealed with official seals placed by the issuing 

veterinarian (Note: seal numbers must be 

provided). 

iv. The condor(s) is (are) identified by permanent 

identification (leg bands, tattoos, or microchips). 

v. The condor(s) was (were) shipped in new or 

appropriately sanitized packaging materials. 

Questions about this document can be directed to: 

Avian Import Specialist 

 Strategy & Policy, Unit 39 

4700 River Road 

Riverdale, MD 20737-1231 

Telephone: (301) 851-3300 option 2 

Fax: (301) 734-4704 

By email: VS.Live.Animal.Import.Export@aphis.usda.gov
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Commitment date: June 2014 

Note: Please contact the Supervisor of the LA port or the Riverdale office 

listed above approximately every 6 months from the creation date to ensure the 

health restrictions for the health certificate remain current. 

Contacts for this document: 

Dr. Ted Williams VS., Supervisor of the LA port, VS, 

 Jeff Zuba: phone: 760-291-5404 

 email: JZuba@sandiegozoo.org