“Any bird in need will have us
there to help them.”
– Joe Krathwohl, The Birdman®
Letterman’s over-the-top reaction at help them.”
coming face-to-face with Joe’s largJoe’s nonprofit, The Condor
est condor. The Birdman especially
Fund, operates its own Andean
loves performing at The Ostrich
condor breeding and release effort
Festival in Chandler, Arizona. “The
at great expense, but will also share
birds draw so many people you
a portion of this summer’s donacan’t see the huge lawn undertions with The Grand Canyon Conneath them. I call it our “Wooddor Cliffs facility operated by the
stock” show. Over 2,000 people are Peregrine Fund and the Programa
in the audience ,while my birds fly
Conservacion del Condor Andino.
overhead. It’s magical.”
In addition to supporting these
Joe has traveled the world
in-situ (in natural habitat) efforts,
creating free-flight bird shows for
The Condor Fund utilizes its trained
fairs, films, accredited zoos, parks,
condors to spread the message of
aquariums, Disneyland and even
condor protection and conservathe White House. He says one of his tion wherever possible. “We focus
favorite memories is hanging out
on legislation and conservation
with one of his
breeding of rare
bateleur eagles
species to help
and astronaut
them survive
Buzz Aldrin
the destruction
at the White
of their natural
House. He runs
ranges.” Joe’s
the largest
Las Vegas Ranch
Presented by
portable bird show
and bird sanctuin the world —
ary is home to
and the only show
around 1,000 birds,
featuring trained
including his most
condors and a tame
dedicated project, the
cassowary. He says there’s
conservation-based breednothing like “being able to share
ing of Andean condors to release
the majesty and natural skills of the
back into the wild.
coolest animals ever… birds!”
The Wings of the World Bird
The best part about Joe’s shows
Show is truly a treat to behold. Sit
(other than getting to experience
down for a 30-minute show and
the rush of seeing these amazprepare to be captivated! You can
ing, majestic birds) is knowing
see the Birdman and his beautithat when you make a voluntary
ful birds here at the Louisville Zoo
donation during one of Joe’s shows
through Labor Day free with Zoo
(with a little encouragement from
admission or membership.
a bird), or you purchase a condorthemed item at the Zoo gift shop,
100% of proceeds go to condor
conservation. “As long as we have
a show operating,” says Joe, “any
bird in need will have us there to
Top:
A cassowary
Middle:
Joe Krathwohl poses
with his bateleur eagle
Bottom:
Birds transport
conservation donations
Louisville Zoo Trunkline • Summer 2016 • 17