The Project on the Reintroduction of the Bearded Vulture in the Alps Is 25 Years Old: an Overview

27 Mar The Project on the Reintroduction of the Bearded Vulture in the Alps Is 25 Years Old: an Overview

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Abstract

English Abstract

25 years ago, in November 1978, a group of 35 scientists, zoo-specialists, nature protectionists, representatives of governmental rganisations and of universities met at Morges (Switzerland) at the former IUCN head quarter for a two day’s conference to found the international project of the reintroduction of the Bearded Vulture
Gypaetus barbatus to the Alps. The following paper describes the historical eradication of this species in
the Alps, the early unsuccessful efforts to reintroduce captured birds from Afghanistan and Russia and the up
to now successful reintroduction programme with captive-bred Bearded Vultures. In this programme the strategy has been not only to improve the reproduction success rate in captivity but also to raise public awareness in a long term information campaign drawing on the expertise of researchers of biological and veterinarian institutes and of museums and specialised journalists. As a consequence the Bearded Vulture is generally accepted
today as being not a predator but rather a scavenger and bone eater. Up to 2003 121 zoo bred Bearded Vultures were released in Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland. Since 1997 five pairs and a trio have successfully
raised 15 young Bearded Vultures in nature of Italy and France.