The female condors Iraca and Ogonta were freed in the natural park of Siscunsi near the town of Sogamoso, some 200 kilometers (124 miles) north of Bogota, in a ceremony attended by Colombia's Environment Minister Juan Lozano.

"This is a species that means everything to Colombians. It's all about protecting endangered species and practically a question of sovereignty," the minister said.

According to official figure, in Colombia less than 150 condors survive, a bird that figures on the national coat of arms.

Lozano called on citizens to avoid hunting endangered species of birds and to actively protect them.

The two condors came to Colombia from the San Diego Zoo in California, and were set free in an area inhabited by a male condor in hopes they will reproduce.

Experts think it likely that the birds will fly towards the Ecuadorian and Venezuelan borders and will help increase the condor population in the Andes.