PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Greece holds the 3rd most important breeding population of Gypaetus barbatus in Europe, which is also the only one left in the Balkan Peninsula. G. barbatus, (commonly called "Bearded vulture" or "Lammergeier") is the rarest species of vulture in Europe. It feeds mainly on carcass bones, is monogamous, and is highly territorial (i.e. individuals occupy specific territories, with an average surface of 350 km2). The largest part of the Greek population is now concentrated in Crete (4 pairs and 18 individuals, sharing a total of 14 territories) while there are only extremely few lone individuals left in continental Greece. The population in continental Greece is very near extinction, since the latest data in 2001 indicate the presence of only one individual in North-western Greece, in Mount Tzena, a site outside the project area (but included in the 7 SPAs of the NAGREF LIFE-Nature project) and another one in North-eastern Greece, in Dadia.
The species faced a dramatic decline in the last two decades. The main threats against it are the disturbance during the breeding period, which is directly related to the existence of a large network of uncontrolled forest roads, indirect poisoning aimed at large carnivores in mainland Greece and wasps and feral dogs in Crete, illegal shooting and secondarily, the shortage of food and the change in traditional pastoral practices. Conservation of Gypaetus barbatus is a challenging and difficult issue since the species uses broad areas where different negative factors interact and legal protection is difficult to implement. A first LIFE-Nature project on the Bearded vulture was undertaken in Crete by the NGO "Immediate Intervention for the Protection of Nature" in 1995 and 1996. The main purpose was to collect data on the species’ distribution and to propose core areas for SPA designation.
OBJECTIVES
The central objective of the project was to eliminate the adverse factors responsible for the species’ decline and to promote the recovery of the existing population. The means used were a series of urgent actions (support of traditional grazing methods, closure of mountain roads, purchase of wasp traps to be given to stock breeders, safeguarding of sensitive areas, public awareness campaigns), monitoring of the species and elaboration of legal tools (i.e. actions that are largely based on the recommendations of the European Action Plan). The expected results were:
Protection of all areas where the species exists Study and definition of the breeding status of the species and of the feasibility of its reintroduction in specific areas Implementation of a series of actions aiming at the long term support of the conservation strategy (training of local people as guards, elaboration of management plans, and Specific Environmental Studies) It was also foreseen to share the experiences gained in this project and some of the communication material produced with the other three 1998 LIFE projects on the Bearded vulture (Alps, Corsica, Spain) in the context of the "Bearded vulture network".
RESULTS
The project started with a very limited knowledge on the species’ status and distribution and made significant progress in terms of knowledge, monitoring and protection of the species, even if its situation is still very critical. Data available from the previous LIFE Bearded vulture project and from the Standard Data forms made reference to 12 pairs in Greece (9 in Crete and 3 in mainland Greece). The monitoring efforts of the project showed that these data were highly outdated: Indeed, the species no longer existed in the three project sites in mainland Greece, whereas in Crete there were only 4 pairs. The project arrived too late in mainland Greece. Consequently, very few actions were undertaken there and the assessment of the species' eventual reintroduction led to the conclusion that it was not feasible since many of the reasons for the species' extinction (e.g. poaching, poisoning) still exist. In Crete, the project managed to:
Control habitat alterations in SPAs where the species occurs: The permanent presence of project staff in bearded vulture areas and their constant co-operation with the local authorities work as a deterrent for certain legal and illegal activities that could have negative impacts on the species’ habitats. In other cases the project’s interventions actually led to the stopping of detrimental actions, such as the opening of new roads. Promote regular breeding and increase juvenile survival: The continuous feeding of breeding pairs and the provision of special food for chicks were actions undertaken extensively throughout the project, and had significant impact on the species' survival. The four remaining pairs bred regularly from year to year throughout the project, even though only two were successful. The artificial feeding is very likely to have contributed to the re-establishment of breeding activity for one pair, which had ceased its activity for five consecutive years prior to the project. Promote management proposals for the restoration of wild ungulate populations: Wild ungulates are present only in one site. In all other areas, ungulates are either domestic or semi-feral. This objective was dealt with indirectly, through the creation of wildlife refuges, and the proposals for the maintenance of extensive pastoralism presented in the management plans/Specific Environmental Studies. Control hunting pressure: A major achievement of the project was the promotion of the establishment of wildlife refuges in all core areas of the Bearded vulture. In terms of hunting pressure control, the designation of wildlife refuges is of particular importance, since it provides the legal tool for the prohibition of hunting and the possibility to impose penalties and fines to poachers. In addition, the beneficiary also undertook a quite dynamic strategy (mass media campaigns, legal actions, lobbying competent authorities, public awareness actions) in order to reduce this threat. Eliminate mortality due to secondary poisoning: The project focused on poisoning related to feral dogs and wasps. The beneficiary undertook an extensive awareness campaign and distributed special wasp traps to beekeepers, that were particularly welcome. Minimise disturbance by uncontrolled access to breeding and roosting sites: Despite the recognition that disturbance from uncontrolled access is a key threat to the species and despite the initial identification of the most detrimental roads, the project did not manage to address satisfactorily this threat. Out of the 25 roads that were foreseen to be closed with barriers (allowing the entrance of only those who would have a special key, such as forest service staff, livestock breeders and project staff), only 8 roads were finally closed. Increase social group awareness with activities within the species' home range: The project undertook a very successful awareness campaign. Particular emphasis was given to raising awareness among upland communities. Furthermore, a specific campaign was developed to address the problem of illegal shooting that proved to be crucial. Increase awareness of competent authorities: A close collaboration was set between the beneficiary, the national authorities, the regional authorities and forest services. They were regularly informed about the project, the species and its status. The designation of wildlife refuges and new SPAs is a proof that this collaboration was fruitful, and that the beneficiary managed to pass on some key messages on the species. A major accomplishment of the project was indeed the promotion of the designation/enlargement of SPAs to cover all the Bearded vulture core areas. At the beginning of the project, out of the 14 core areas only 6 were related to a SPA, while at its end, all 14 core areas were related to a SPA. This was achieved thanks to the data gathered through the project and the continuous lobbying actions of the beneficiary and his partner. A network was created between four LIFE-Nature Bearded vulture projects and allowed them to exchange know-how and experience and to produce some common communication and technical material. The Greek project benefited a lot from the network, since they were the newcomers in the field of the bearded vulture’s conservation. The species is still critically endangered, and most actions will have to carry on, in order to secure its survival. The main actions that need to continue are supplementary feeding, monitoring of the species, wardening and closure of forest roads. All these actions have been included in the 2nd phase of the project, approved in 2002.
