PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) is a large scavenging bird of prey from the Accipitridae family. The species is protected by a range of legislation and international conventions, including the Birds Directive and the EU regulation of trade of fauna and flora. In Croatia, the griffon vulture is considered to be endangered as it disappeared from most of its breeding range there during the 20th century. The last breeding pairs disappeared from the Croatian mainland in 2003 (National Park Paklenica) and the entire native breeding population is now restricted to a few islands in the Kvarnerski otoci Special Protection Area: Cres, Krk, Prvić and Plavnik. Here the species breeds on cliffs directly above the sea which is a unique feature, not observed in any other countries of its breeding range.
The current breeding population is assessed at 110-130 pairs and it forms a connection between the breeding populations of the Alps (Italy) and those of the Balkans (e.g. Serbia). Although the population is currently considered stable, the species faces multiple threats in the area which, all together, could have detrimental effects on its small population size. An example of this is an unintentional poisoning event that took place on the island of Rab in 2004, where 21 griffon vultures were killed by consuming poisoned bait intended for golden jackals. Other problems facing the species range from lack of food (due to an ongoing decrease in extensive sheep farming and livestock breeding on the islands) to accidents (electrocution, collisions with power infrastructure), disturbance at their breeding colonies and indirect poisoning via lead. To secure truly stable breeding conditions for the species and support a future recolonisation of the Croatian mainland, it is important to tackle the major threats in the last remaining breeding area urgently and simultaneously.
OBJECTIVES
The LIFE SUPport project’s goal is to improve breeding and survival conditions for the last remaining griffon vulture population in Croatia, located on the Kvarner Islands. By tackling the most important threats in their breeding grounds, the current population of around 110-130 pairs will increase in number, which should allow them to recolonise the Croatian mainland in the future and connect to other griffon vulture populations in the Alps and the Balkans.
RESULTS
Expected results:
- Reduction of nestling mortality by minimising nest disturbance and by improving the Beli Rescue Centre for Griffon Vultures’ rescue and rehabilitation operations;
- Increase in food availability for vultures by improving and expanding the existing network of managed feeding stations and by increasing natural feeding opportunities;
- Prevention of poisoning events by exploring the best preventive measures to avoid the use of poisoned baits, by promoting the use of lead-free ammunition and by capacity building of relevant enforcement agencies for combating illegal wildlife poisoning;
- Reduction of mortality arising from electrocution by applying appropriate mitigation measures at the most important electrocution hotspots; and
- Promotion of griffon vultures and awareness raising of their threats and needs among local stakeholders, the wider public and government bodies.
