The return of vultures to Europe | DW Documentary

Key Concepts:

• Vulture reintroduction programs
• Bearded vultures (Gypaetus barbatus), Griffin vultures (Gyps fulvus), Cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus), Egyptian vultures (Neophron percnopterus)
• Lead poisoning from ammunition
• Wildlife toxicology
• GPS tracking of vultures
• Landfill hazards
• Carcass disposal and feeding stations ("placet")
• European Conservation Breeding Programme (EEP)
• Alternative ammunition (copper-based)

1. Vulture Population Decline and Reintroduction Efforts:

• For decades, vulture populations declined across Europe, with some species becoming extinct in certain regions.
• Reintroduction projects are underway to restore vulture populations, focusing on species like the Bearded Vulture in the Alps.
• The reintroduction of the bearded vulture in the Alps is arduous but successful.
• These projects involve breeding vultures in captivity and releasing them into the wild.

2. Bearded Vulture Breeding and Rearing:

• Bearded vulture breeding centers, such as the one in Anderucia, Spain, play a crucial role in the reintroduction scheme.
• Eggs are artificially incubated and monitored using CCTV ("bird adventure big brother").
• Eggs are removed from nests after 48-49 days of incubation and replaced with dummy eggs to protect them from weather, predators, or parental carelessness.
• Chicks are fed four times a day, with bones gradually added to their diet.
• Weight is checked before each feed to determine the amount of food.
• Young vulture couples are often not up to the task of raising offspring, so breeders step in to ensure the survival of the valuable youngsters.
• Chicks are returned to their parents or adoptive parents when they are big and strong enough.
• Vultures are released into the wild when they are about 90 days old.

3. Threats to Vulture Populations:

• Landfills: Vultures frequent landfills, which contain toxic substances, leading to poisoning.
• Wind Turbines and Power Lines: Collisions with wind turbines and electrocution from power lines are significant threats.
• Lead Poisoning: A major concern, caused by vultures consuming carcasses containing lead bullet fragments.
  • X-rays of vultures show pieces of lead ammunition in their gizzards.
  • Germany, Spain, and France are working to eliminate lead from the food chain.
  • An estimated 300 vultures a year die from drug poisoning, and thousands from lead poisoning.
• Poisoning: Intentional poisoning with pesticides and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used in livestock.

4. Addressing Lead Poisoning:

• Wildlife toxicology labs, such as the one headed by Professor Rafael Mateo in Spain, research the impact of hunting, particularly lead ammunition, on wildlife.
• Autopsies on dead vultures reveal lead bullet fragments in their stomachs.
• The LPO is promoting an alternative copper-based ammunition with similar flight characteristics to lead bullets.

5. GPS Tracking and Data Analysis:

• GPS transmitters are attached to vultures to track their movements and identify potential dangers.
• Data from GPS transmitters is used to localize sources of danger, such as landfills and areas with high collision risks.
• The transmitters fall off after a few years as the leashes are ultimately designed to break.
• GPS data provides an early warning system if birds remain in one place for too long or land in dangerous areas.

6. Carcass Disposal and Feeding Stations:

• In France, organizations like the LPO collect carcasses of dead livestock from farms to provide food for vultures.
• These carcasses are deposited at designated feeding stations called "placet."
• This practice helps vultures access a food supply that is no longer readily available due to modern animal recycling facilities.
• Some farmers have even set up their own feeding stations.

7. Vulture Movement and Networking:

• GPS tracking reveals that vultures can cover incredible distances, flying hundreds of kilometers per day.
• Individual birds are flying across Europe, interconnecting the entire population.
• Vultures from the Pyrenees have reproduced in the Massif Central and the Alps, and vice versa.

8. Reintroduction in Bavaria:

• The LBV (Bavarian Bird and Nature Conservation Organization) has been releasing two bearded vultures a year into Bactus Garden National Park since 2021.
• The European Conservation Breeding Programme (EEP) decides where the birds are to be released.
• The vultures are carried in transport boxes up into the mountains for the release.

9. Collaboration and International Efforts:

• Vulture conservationists from different countries (e.g., Germany and France) collaborate and share GPS data to understand vulture movements and distribution.
• The European strategy for vulture conservation aims to interconnect populations across the continent.

10. Successes and Ongoing Challenges:

• Vulture populations are showing signs of recovery in some areas due to reintroduction and conservation efforts.
• The image of vultures has changed, with more farmers recognizing their benefits.
• However, threats such as lead poisoning, collisions with infrastructure, and poisoning persist.
• Continued efforts are needed to mitigate these threats and ensure the long-term survival of vulture populations in Europe.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The video highlights the complex and multifaceted efforts to restore vulture populations in Europe. While reintroduction programs and changes in public perception offer hope, significant challenges remain, particularly lead poisoning and habitat-related dangers. The success of these conservation initiatives relies on international collaboration, scientific research, and the dedication of individuals and organizations committed to protecting these vital scavengers.