PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The bearded vulture, Gyapaetus barbatus, is a large bird of prey which feeds mainly on bones taken from the carcasses of wild or domestic ungulates. With a population not exceeding 100 pairs, it is a very threatened species at the EU level. Right up to the 19th century, the bearded vulture occupied an extensive range but massive slaughter led to its disappearance from the Alps. A re-introduction programme involving several European countries has allowed 30 vultures to be released in the French Alps (72 throughout the Alps as a whole) between 1987 and 1997. This re-introduced population is still vulnerable, even though a first couple bred successfully in Haute-Savoie in 1997, as some of the birds which were released have fallen victim to illegal shooting or collisions with electrical cables. Poison is also a potential risk for this species.
OBJECTIVES
The project aimed at the restoration of the Alpine bearded vulture population by continuing the re-introduction programme and improving conditions in the environment the birds are released into. The intention was to boost the productivity of the vulture couples in the captive breeding centres, in order to be able to release three juveniles per year in the French Alps.
The project foresaw the following:
Protection measures to limit disturbances close to nesting sites by setting up surveillance and monitoring of breeding couples. Awareness-raising campaigns to be conducted vis-à-vis livestock farmers, hunters and other landusers. Measures to flag up or neutralise dangerous electric lines in order to reduce mortality from collisions with cables. The translation of the guidelines laid down by the European action plan for the bearded vulture into an action plan and prescriptions at the French Alps scale. Exchange of experiences with the three other LIFE projects on bearded vultures (in Spain, Corsica and Greece) through joint meetings organised by project beneficiaries.
RESULTS
Continuing the International Programme established in 1986 aiming at reintroducing the bearded vulture in the Alps, a number of measures leading to increase the population were implemented in the French part of the Alps:
10 young bearded vultures born in captivity were released in Haute-Savoie and in the National Park of Mercantour. All but one were released successfully (the last one died of an infection). In order to carry on reintroduction in the Alps, a new breeding centre was also built in December 2002 with a capacity of four couples. The monitoring of the bearded vulture population and breeding activities was carried out through a network of observers. Data collected were regularly published in a newsletter nammed "la plume du Gypaète". At the beginning of the project, only one breeding pair was known in the French Alps. By the end of 2002, 2 pairs and one trio had already produced fledging youngs. The project also tried to study and fight against the main species threats: - Disturbance on nesting sites was partly reduced by a Regulation forbidding photography close to the nest. Agreements were also established with climbers and paragliders. - Mortality risks due to collision with cables and wires were identified and some specific equipment materials were fixed to dangerous cables to make them more visible for the birds and avoid collision. -The project has also studied food availability for the species and concluded that there were enough resources from wild and domestic herds to support a large population of bearded vultures. An action plan was drawn up, defining a reintroduction and conservation strategy in the French Alps for the next 5 years. The project carried out many actions to raise awareness among mountain inhabitants and it developed an educational kit on the bearded vulture for children. Thanks to the organisation of Bearded vulture Workshops with other LIFE-Nature projects on the Bearded Vulture in Corsica, Spain and Greece, the project managers were able to exchange their knowledge and experience regularly. Continuing the International Programme established in 1986 aiming at reintroducing the bearded vulture in the Alps, a number of measures leading to increase the population were implemented in the French part of the Alps: 10 young bearded vultures born in captivity were released in Haute-Savoie and in the National Park of Mercantour. All but one were released successfully (the last one died of an infection). In order to carry on reintroduction in the Alps, a new breeding centre was also built in December 2002 with a capacity of four couples. The monitoring of the bearded vulture population and breeding activities was carried out through a network of observers. Data collected were regularly published in a newsletter nammed "la plume du Gypaète". At the beginning of the project, only one breeding pair was known in the French Alps. By the end of 2002, 2 pairs and one trio had already produced fledging youngs. The project also tried to study and fight against the main species threats: - Disturbance on nesting sites was partly reduced by a Regulation forbidding photography close to the nest. Agreements were also established with climbers and paragliders. - Mortality risks due to collision with cables and wires were identified and some specific equipment materials were fixed to dangerous cables to make them more visible for the birds and avoid collision. -The project has also studied food availability for the species and concluded that there were enough resources from wild and domestic herds to support a large population of bearded vultures. An action plan was drawn up, defining a reintroduction and conservation strategy in the French Alps for the next 5 years. The project carried out many actions to raise awareness among mountain inhabitants and it developed an educational kit on the bearded vulture for children. Thanks to the organisation of Bearded vulture Workshops with other LIFE-Nature projects on the Bearded Vulture in Corsica, Spain and Greece, the project managers were able to exchange their knowledge and experience regularly.
