Bearded Vulture Reintroduction Into the Alps

19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 1

Bearded Vulture Reintroduction into the Alps

Annual Report 2004

Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture

Frankfurt Zoological Society 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 2

LIFE-Nature Project Nr.: 03NAT/F/000100 Program for the Bearded Vulture in the Alps

University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 3

BG 444, Toto (right) and BG 436 in the VBU

Photo: KARL HOFBAUER-HÖFER, AUSTRIA

FOREWORD

What twenty years ago still seemed a remote goal is to day a reality. In 2004 over a hundred Bearded Vultures are populating the Alps while five young successfully hatched in the wild and the trend is upwards. In this year also the newly developed strategy for the future was presented at FCBV‘s Annual Information Meeting in Haute Savoie. In future, efforts will be directed at linking the now present Alpine population with the autochthonous ones of the Pyrenees and Corsica to finally arrive at a homogeneous population in Western Europe. In 2005, it will be thirty years that I attended in Vienna my first meeting on the possibility of reintroducing the Bearded Vulture into the Alps starting from captive breeding. At the decisive conference in Morges in 1978, of which I had the honour to be the organi- zer, the preceding French-Swiss initiative was joined with the Austrian one, thus for- ming the basis for an undertaking encompassing the entire Alpine chain. This new project in turn received the solid support of numerous Zoological Gardens in Europe. In the years that followed I had the pleasure to preside over countless Board meetings, Annual Information Meetings and other manifestations characterized by their great diversity of nationalities, interests and outlooks, and yet united by the common goal. This goal now having been achieved I feel that the time has come to hand over, and in the autumn of 2005 the Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture will have a new President who, if chosen as my successor, may well have been the youn- gest participant in the Morges Conference of 1978. I, personnally, shall take leave of FCBV‘s Board with the gratifying sentiment of "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED".

Dr. MAARTEN BIJLEVELD VAN LEXMOND

President of the Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 4

2 Contents 2004

Foreword 1

Breeding Network Reproduction in 2004 3 Transfers - Increases - Deaths in 2004 9 EEP stock in 2004 13 Reproduction between 1978 and 2004 16 Age distribution in 2004 18 Release Report on Releases in 2004 19 Report on the release in the Hohe Tauern National Park, Kals 2004 27 Report on the release at the Haute Savoie site in 2004 28 Release in Martell Valley, Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio in 2004 30 Release in the Argentera-Mercantour site in 2004, and observations from the Argentera Nature Park 31 Wing marks and ring colours from 1986 - 2004 34

Monitoring Bearded Vulture Monitoring in Engadine, Switzerland in 2004 42 Satellite tracking of Bearded Vultures - the project „ Bearded Vulture on the move“ 52 Hohe Tauern National Park - Breeding in the wild 2004 56 Austrian Bearded Vulture Monitoring 2004 56 Status of the Bearded Vulture in Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio in 2004 59 Evolution of the territorial pairs in the Western Italian Alps 62 Actual situation of Territorial Bearded Vulture pairs identiﬁed in the Alps of Haute Savoie (F) and their conservation 63 International Bearded Vulture Monitoring (IBM) in 2004 66 Supplement to 2003: An observation of one Bearded Vulture in The Netherlands 68

Autochthonous Populations Bearded Vulture in the French Pyrenees - Results of the monitoring of 2004 68 The Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) population in the Spanish Pyrenees in 2004 70 Conservation of the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) in Corsica: monitoring 2004 73 Evaluation of the extinction risk and of conservation alternatives for a very small insular population: the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus in Corsica 75 Comments to the article: "Evaluation of the extinction risk and conservation alternatives for a very small insular population: the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus in Corsica” 75 Looking for Birds of Prey on Crete – November 2004 (A privatly undertaken research) 78

Miscellaneous Feasibility Study on the Reintroduction of the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) in Sardinia 80 Bearded Vulture reintroduction project in Andalucia: results at the Breeding Centre Guadalentín 105 The Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) reintroduction project in Andalusia 110 Phylogeography, genetic structure and diversity in the endangered Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus, L.) as revealed by mitochondrial DNA 112 Annual Report of the Breeding Centre Natur- und Tierpark Goldau, Switzerland, 2004 113 Ecological requirements of reintroduced species and the implications for release policy: the case of the bearded vulture 114 Remarks of the editors on Ecological requirements of reintroduced species etc. 114 Status and conservation of the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis in Lesotho 115 Soaring to Extincton: The population status of the Bearded Vulture, Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis, in southern Africa 120 The FCBV Annual Meeting 124 Flute sounds, coming from a Bearded Vulture bone 125 Editorial 126 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 5

2004 Breeding Network 3

Reproduction in 2004

by Hans Frey *

The Vienna Breeding Unit

In this breeding season, six pairs produced a clutch:

BG 009 x BG 006019020 produced two eggs (14th and 19th/20th of December).

The single egg of BG 014 x BG 133134135 was laid on the 13th od December.

BG 105161162 x BG 178 had three eggs laid on the 19th/20th of December, on 26th of December and on 5th/6th of January. The ﬁrst egg was abandoned in the morning of 25th of December, the other two died during incubation.

The pair BG 017019021 x BG 070022023 produced two eggs (30th of December and 4th of January) which died during incubation.

BG 199 x BG 107150151 laid one egg on 4th of January, which hatched on 4th of March (BG 440119107).

BG 108065040 x BG 175152153 had produced two eggs (19th/20th and 25th of December). The ﬁrst hatched in the nest on 11th of February (BG 433108175). The second was transferred to an incubator where it hatched on the 17h of February (BG 435108175).

Because of the installation of VIDEO EQUIPMENT in each single Bearded Vulture facility, a variety of interesting observations could be made:

➛ Remarks on pair BG 009 x BG 006. We were lucky to observe egglaying on 14th of December 2003. Prior to incubation, female BG 006 rolled the egg approx. 25cm to one side and started to brood only 20 minutes later. Both eggs incubated by the pair and exchanged against dummy eggs on 4th of February. The bigger egg had died during incubation, the second was transferred to an incubator. Both birds continued brooding on the dummy eggs. The second egg did not hatch so it was opened in the evening of 13th of February. The embryo had died before pecking the shell. On the 22nd of February, the pair received BG 435108175 for rearing. The adoption took place without any difficulties and the nestling developed well.

➛ Remarks on pair BG 014 x BG 133134135. The pair cancelled brooding on the 7th/8th of March and did not react to offered eggs. On 13th of March, again two eggs were put into their nest, one of which was warmed by the male, the second was thrown out. On 16th of March, BG 441134135 was transferred from Prague Zoo to the VBU, where it was put into the nest of BG 014 x BG 133. The pair immediately started to take care of this young bird and reared it without any problems until 7th of April when this bigger nestling was exchanged against BG 444080081. Also this bird was adopted and raised without problems.

➛ Remarks on pair BG 105161162 x BG 178. The ﬁrst egg was abandoned on 25th of December. In the morning of 27th of December, BG 105 stayed in the nest but the second egg was deposed at the edge of the nest! BG 105 toughed the egg twice with his bill but started to incubate in the empty trough. The still warm and unharmed egg was removed and transferred to MALE PAIR BG 204 X BG 065. They continued brooding on the dummy egg and the egg of BG 105 x BG 178. BG 178 returned to the empty nest and started to trough. On 8th of January the third egg rolled out of the nest! In the afternoon it was transferred to the nest of pair BG 014 x BG 133. On 4th of February female BG 178 was rather active working at the nest (troughing etc.).

➛ Remarks on pair BG 017019021 x BG 070022023. Both eggs removed on the 20th of February: both embryos had died during incubation! Two dummy eggs were put into the nest, one of which was thrown out by the female but the second one was warmed. On the next day both dummy eggs were in the nest and warmed by the pair.

* Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Wien, Austria. [email protected] 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 6

4 Breeding Network 2004

Table 1: Breeding pairs in 2004

AUSTRIA Alpenzoo Innsbruck BG 019 x BG 021 1st: 11th Jan broken 2nd:16th Jan broken 3rd: 23rd Feb embryo died 4th:28th Feb embryo died Tiergarten Schönbrunn

BG 201 x BG 044002003 1st: 31st Dec embryo died

Vienna Breeding Unit BG 014 x BG 133134135 1st: 13th Jan broken BG 009 x BG 006019020 1st: 14th Dec died 2nd:19/20th Dec embryo died BG 199 x BG 107150151 1st: 4th Jan broken 2nd:9th Jan 4th Mar BG 017019021 x BG 070022023 1st: 30th Dec embryo died 2nd:4th Jan embryo died

BG 105161162 x BG 178 1st: 19/20th Dec broken 2nd: 26th Dec embryo died 3rd: 5th/6th Jan embryo died BG 108065040 x BG 175152153 1st:19/20th Dec 11th Feb 2nd:25th Dec 17th Feb FRANCE Breeding Centre Haute Savoie BG 054 x BG 087 2nd Jan GERMANY Hannover Zoo BG 080019021 x BG 081004027 1st: 20st Jan 15th Mar 2nd:03rd Feb 30th Mar Nuremberg Zoo BG 018019021 x BG 272161162 1st: 27th Dec broken 2nd:02nd Feb broken Wuppertal Zoo BG 043019021 x BG 040034035 1st:31st Dec broken 2nd:05th Jan infertile KAZAKHSTAN Almaty Zoo BG 156154155 x BG 157154155 1st: ? infertile or 2nd: ? embryo died

SPAIN Centro de Cría Guadalentín BG 124131132 x BG 041034035 1st: 24th Dec infertile 2nd:30th Dec infertile 3rd: 07th Jan 29th Feb BG 286 x BG 153 1st: 15th Dec embryo died 2nd:22nd Dec 14th Feb 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 7

2004 Breeding Network 5

SWITZERLAND Breeding Centre Goldau/Rigi BG 174134135 x BG 118154155 12th Feb 04th Apr BG 060034035 x BG 276199107 1st: 05th Jan broken 2nd:04th Jan 29th Feb La Garenne BG 034 x BG 130150151 04th Jan 28th Feb Bern Zoo BG 148019021 x BG 142009041 11th Jan broken

TS-REPUBLIC Prague Zoo BG 134 x BG 135 10th Jan 04th Mar Liberec Zoo BG 180161162 x BG 274 1st: 25th Dec 18th Feb 2nd:01st Jan 23rd Feb

➛ Remarks on pair BG 199 x BG 107150151. The two infertile eggs of BG 017 x BG 070 were put into their nest for incubation on the 20th of February, whereas their own clutch was removed: the single egg of this pair proved to be fertile and developed and was transferred to an incubator for hatching where it was examined and detected that it was the second egg. Maybe the ﬁrst egg was destroyed when the second egg was laid. The nestling BG 440199107 hatched in the incubator on 4th of March, being a very active little bird. The pair cancelled brooding on the 7th/8th of March and did not react to offered eggs. Two days later their own nestling BG 440 was returned to the pair, although they had cancelled incubation. The male approached the nestling short time afterwards, seemed to be a little bit insecure but with a friendly attitude. He toughed the nestling gently and moved his bill. The female approached the nest a little time later and also seemed to be a little at a loss and inecure. After 40 minutes, the female started to warm the offspring. From then on both birds took care very well without any disordered behaviour.

➛ Remarks on pair BG 108065040 x BG 175152153. During hatching of the ﬁrst offspring (BG 433108175) on 11th of Febuary one half of the egg shell was put over the second egg! This egg was removed, the shell dislodged and the egg transferred to an incubator where it hatched on the 17th of February (BG 435108175). BG 433 was well raised by its parents and a rather active and agile nestling until 16th of February when it started to feed rather poorly. A strand of wool was winding around one wing and the bill and one eye was clotty with the fur of a rabbit. After cleaning the nestling again started to beg and feed and from this day on it developed rather well. ➛ Remarks on pair BG 031 x BG 003. On 31st of January the pair received two dummy eggs, which the male started to brood until 6th of April, when BG 44408081 was transferred into his nest. The male immediately started to take care for the nestling, the old female BG 003 behaved rather uninterested. When the male left the young on the next day for feeding the female did not take on. So it was removed and exchanged against the older and bigger nestling BG 441134135. From 8th of April on, BG 003 participated in rearing.

➛ Remarks on BG 297086104 and BG 137154155. On 20th of December 2003, the pair again had to be separated as the female ﬁercly chased the male. Female BG 137 had built a beautiful nest.

➛ Remarks on MALE PAIR BG 204, Oskar x BG 065 (Crete-Bird). Both males received a dummy egg on the 14th of December 2003. BG 065 picked the egg up with his bill and repeatedly rolled it from the edge of the nest to the middle of the trough. After 10 minutes the bird started to warm the dummy egg. BG 204 sat at the edge of the nest for the ﬁrst day but shared brooding with BG 065 from the second day on. In the morning of 27th of December BG 204 X BG 065 received the egg of BG 105 x BG 178. Both males continued brooding on the dummy egg and the egg of the pair. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 8

6 Breeding Network 2004

On 9th of January, only one egg was found in the trough. In the morning of 12th of January, the egg was found outside the nest, the trough did not exist anymore. After restoring the swale the egg was returned and both birds continued incubation. BG 204 continued incubation until at least 17th of March.

➛ Summary - Vienna Breeding Unit Six pairs laid 11 eggs (at least). Five young hatched, nearly all of them in the incubator. After a maximum of seven days of handrearing, the nestlings were adopted by their parents or foster parents. Three of them ﬂedged successfully, two died.

Breeding Station Haute-Savoie After the return of BG 054 x BG 087 to Haute Savoie on 11th of November 2003 (see Annual Report 2003, page 6), the laid one egg on 2nd of January. It was infertile or the embryo died at an early stage of development.

Breeding Centre Goldau/Rigi, Switzerland Two pairs are kept in the Swiss Breeding centre in 2004, each of which produced a clutch (see also p. 113). Hans and Macha (BG 174134135 x BG 118154155) were put together after the death of male Cae- sar, BG 122014010 (Annual Report 2003, p. 11) and produced their egg on the 12th of February. BG 446174118 hatched on the 4th of April. Felix (BG 060034035), paired with the subadult female BG 276199107, had their ﬁrst clutch on 14th of January. This egg broke the same day. The pair continued mating and produced a second clutch (again one egg) on the 4th of February This one hatched on the 29th of March but the nestling BG 445060276 was killed by the male short time later.

Breeding Centre Centro de Cría Guadalentín (CCG), Spain BG 124131132 x BG 041034035 had their ﬁrst egg on the 24th of December, the second on the 30th of December, both failed. which was found cold and neglected in the nest, although both birds stayed in the nest during the night. A third egg, laid on the 7th of January was incubated only by the male for 24 days and then transferred to the incubator where it hatched on 28th of February (BG 439124041). Pair BG 286 x BG 153 laid two eggs on 15th and 22nd of December, one of which (the second) hatched on the 14th of February (BG 434286153). Unfortunately this one was killed by one of its parents, which crushed its head. No aggressive behaviour was observed, it was just an unfortune accident.

Wassenaar Wildlife Breeding Centre, The Netherlands BG 077022023 x BG 303009006 did not produce a clutch this year but copulations were heared and a nest was built in November 2003. The pair obviously has a rather harmonic relationship.

➛ Summary - other Breeding Centres

Five pairs laid nine eggs. four young hatched, two of them survived. One pair did not reproduce. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 9

2004 Breeding Network 7

ZOOS

AUSTRIA

Alpenzoo Innsbruck The founder pair BG 019 x BG 021 laid the ﬁrst egg on 11th of January. A replacement clutch was transferred to an incubator, but the pair ceased brooding in the beginning of March. No offspring this year.

Tiergarten Schönbrunn BG 201 x BG 044002003 laid one egg on 31st of December 2003, which they incubated from the beginning on. The egg proved to be infertile.

SWITZERLAND

Bern Zoo Pair BG 148019021 x BG 142009041 produced one egg on the 12th of January. Both birds incubated without any disorder but, as in the previous year, the pair failed.

La Garenne Zoo The single egg of pair BG 034 x BG 130150151 was produced on the 4th of January and hatched on the 28th of February (BG 438034130).

GERMANY Hannover Zoo BG 080019021 x BG 081004027 laid two eggs on 20th of January and 3rd of February. BG 443080081 died during hatching on the 15th/16th of March. The egg had been found strongly undercooled and damaged. BG 444080081 (Toto) hatched on the 30th of March and was transferred to the VBU to be raised by foster parents on the 2nd of April.

Nuremberg Zoo The pair BG 018019021 x BG 272161162, laid one egg on the 27th of December. It broke on 31st of December because of an investigation and actions of the criminal investigation department near the nest site (see page 9, Annual Report 2003). A second clutch followed on the 2nd of February (one egg). It broke during incubation.

TSECH REPUBLIK

Prague Zoo This experienced founder pair (BG 134 x BG 135) laid one egg on the 10th of January, which hatched on the 4th of March (BG 441134135). This bird was transferred to the VBU for rearing on the 15th of March. The pair received BG 437180274 (born in Liberec Zoo) for raising on 2nd or March.

Liberec Zoo The pair BG 180161162 x BG 274 laid two eggs (25th of December, 1st of January), which hatched on the 18th of February (BG 436180274) and 23rd of February (BG 437180274).

Pairs with no reproduction in 2004 Furthermore the following already adult pairs did not start reproduction:

BG 129051049 x BG 212152153, Stuttgart Zoo, Germany,

BG 190152153 x BG 233122118, Vogelpark Walsrode, Germany,

BG 058019021 x BG 234086104, Antwerp Zoo, Belgium, 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 10

8 Breeding Network 2004

Table 2: Offspring 2004 STUDBOOK No. PARENTAGE SEX 4) BREEDING STATION/ZOO

BG 433 BG 108 X BG 175 m Vienna Breeding Unit BG 4341) BG 286 X BG 153 ? Centro de Cría Guadalentín BG 435 BG 108 X BG 175 f Vienna Breeding Unit BG 436 BG 180 X BG 274 f Liberec Zoo BG 437 BG 180 X BG 274 m Liberec Zoo BG 438 BG 034 X BG 130 m La Garenne Zoo BG 439 BG 124 X BG 041 f Centro de Cría Guadalentín BG 440 BG 199 X BG 107 f Vienna Breeding Unit BG 441 BG 134 X BG 135 f Prague Zoo BG 4432) BG 080 X BG 081 ? Hannover Zoo BG 444 BG 080 X BG 081 m Hannover Zoo BG 4453) BG 060 X BG 276 ? Breeding Centre Goldau BG 446 BG 174 X BG 118 m Breeding Centre Goldau

1) BG 434 died four days after hatching because of an accident. 2) BG 443 died during hatching. 3) BG 445 died short time after hatching, killed by its father.

4) Sex determination was done by Barbara Gautschi, University of Zurich, Switzerland

BG 161 x BG 125009041, Moscow Zoo, Russia,

BG 047034035 x BG 209150151, San Diego Zoo, USA,

BG 145131132 x BG 225031006, Basel Zoo, Switzerland,

BG 207017070 x BG 227011054, Ostrava Zoo, Czech Republic,

BG 179154155 x BG 281131132, Helsinki Zoo, Finland.

➛ Remarks on pair BG 179154155 x BG 281131132 in the Helsinki Zoo, Finland. As in the previous year, mating was observed as well as activities at the nest site. But so far no reproduction.

➛ Remarks on pair BG 207017070 X BG 227011054 in Ostrava Zoo, Czech Republic. Also in 2004 no pair bond took place. Therefore it was decided to exchange the female BG 227 with female BG 233122118 in the Vogelpark Walsrode, Germany.

➛ Remarks on pair BG 047034035 x BG 209150151 in San Diego Zoo, USA. The rather dominant female of this pair sometimes attacked her mate. Perfect nest construction, but again no egg production. A part of the dense vegetation in their fcility was reduced to allow the birds more space and possibilities for ﬂight.

➛ Remarks on pair BG 058019021 x BG 234086104 in Antwerp Zoo, Belgium. The prepared nest was situated near the ground of the facility and was never used by the pair so far. Therefore it was proposed to offer a second nest site in the upper part of the breeding facility.

➛ Summary - Zoos

10 pairs laid 18 eggs. Six young hatched, ﬁve of which were successfully reared by their parents, one died due to aggressions of the father. Furthermore, eight adult pairs did not start reproduction up to now. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 11

2004 Breeding Network 9

Private collaborator

The pair BG 203150151 x BG 218080081 kept by a private collaborator in Germany produced no eggs but had built a nest and copulations were observed too.

➛ Total Breeding Centres, Zoos and private collaborators

21 adult pairs, produced at least 38 eggs. 13 young hatched, of these 10 were reared successfully by their parents or foster parents.

New participants

No new participants in 2004

TRANSFERS - INCREASES - DEATHS TRANSFERS

BG 437180274, was transferred from Liberec Zoo, Czech Republic to Prague Zoo, Czech Republic for rearing on the 2nd of March. BG 441134135, hatched in Prague Zoo, Czech Republic was brought to the VBU, Austria, on the 15th of March for rearing. BG 444080081, hatched in Hannover Zoo, Germany was brought to the VBU, Austria on the 2nd of April for rearing and from there to Nationalpark Hohe Tauern, Tyrol, Austria for release on the 1st of July. This male was recaptured and brougth back to the VBU on 28th of December 2004. BG 145131132, male was transferred from Basel Zoo, Switzerland to the Breeding Centre Goldau, Switzerland on the 16th of April. BG 433108175 and BG 435108175 were transported from the VBU, Austria to Parco Naturale Alpi Marittime, Italy, for release on the 13th of May. BG 439124041 was transferred from CCG, Spain to the VBU, Austria on the 27th of May and again from the VBU to the release area Martell, Italy on the 6th of June. BG 440199107 and BG 441134135 were transported from the VBU, Austria to Doran, Haute Savoie, France for release on the 29th of May. BG 446174118 was transferred from Breeding Centre Goldau, Switzerland to Nationalpark Hohe Tauern, Tyrol, Austria for release on the 1st of July. BG 436180274 and BG 437180274 were transported from Liberec Zoo, Czech Republic to the Bree- ding Centre Goldau, Switzerland on the 12th of July. BG 156154155 was transferred from Almaty Zoo, Kazakhstan to the VBU, Austria on 7th of Sep- tember. BG 297086104 was transported from VBU, Austria to Breeding Centre Haute Savoie, France on the 19th of September. BG 227011054 was transported from Ostrava Zoo, Czech Republik to Vogelpark Walsrode, Germany on the 7th of November 2004. BG 233122118 was transferred from Vogelpark Walsrode, Germany to Ostrava Zoo, Czech Republik on 8th of November 2004. BG 436180274 and BG 437180274 were transferred from Breeding Centre Goldau, Switzerland to the VBU, Austria on the 25th of November. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 12

10 Breeding Network 2004

INCREASES

BG 115019021, Marie Antoinette, female, released on 1st of June 1989 in Haute Savoie, France, Panorama View of the Breeding Centre Haute Savoie - the new home of BG 115 was recaptured Photo: Marie Zimmermann, ASTERS, France on the 19th of May 2004 in Val d´Isere, Natio- nalpark Vanoise, France, because of an injured wing. After some months in a rehabilitation centre in france, the bird was transferred to the Bearded Vulture Breeding Centre of ASTERS in Haute Savoie, to be paired with male BG 297086104 from the VBU.

BG 444080081, the male Toto, released on 1st of June 2004 in Kals, Nationalpark Hohe Tauern, Aus- tria, was recaptured being too accustomed to humans and human buildings in Eastern Tyrol. The bird was transferred to the VBU on 28th of December 2004 (see page 57).

DEATHS *

Male BG 086010014 died in the VBU, Austria, on the 31th of March 2004 with an age of 18 years.

BG 086 hatched in the VBU without any problems or human help on 9th of Februar 1986. With an age of eight days the nestling was transferred to pair BG 002 x BG 003 to be reared, which happened without any problem. In November, BG 086 was transferred into a facility together with BG 071002003, a female hatched in 1984. Both birds, although very young, harmonized extremely well. In 1987, they liked to sit close to each other, to groom each others plumage and even started to build a nest in winter. A very early pair bonding was observed. In 1988, the young pair still harmonized very well and again built at the nest. BG 086 behaves rather familiar towards the keeper and regularly showed threat display at the fence of the aviary. On 17th of November 1989, female BG 071002003 had to be sent to Nuremberg Zoo, Germany, as a replacement for BG 011002003. So this young pair unfortunately had to be separated. BG 086 was transferred to another facility two days earlier, to female BG 104030026 (hatched in the VBU in 1988). Also in this case, a harmonic pair bond was formed rather quickly. In the course of 1990, the pair bond between these two young vultures deepened further and both settled in the new aviary rather well. BG 086 still behaved aggressive towards the keeper and tried to start a number of ﬁghts with the neighbouring BG 016, the imprinted male Mr. President (Annual Report 2000, p. 10-11) and his human partner at the fence of the facilities. The birds carried around a lot of nesting material but real nest building was not observed. In 1991, BG 086 has moulted nearly completely into adult plumage. The pair still harmonized very well. The same was observed in 1992.

* The data on the whereabouts of the released offspring of the dead birds were generously provided by IBM-International Bearded Vultue Monitoring NP Hohe Tauern - R.ZINK/EGS, A.S.T.E.R.S, PN Alpi Marittime, PN Stelvio, PN Vanoise, Stiftung Pro Bartgeier 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 13

2004 Breeding Network 11

On 24th of January of 1993, first copulations were heared but no clutch was produced. Also in 1994, copulations were heared but again no egg was laid. The keeper constructed and reno- vated the eyrie, the birds themselves did not build a lot but still stayed together in great harmony. On 14th of February 1995, the first egg of this pair was laid. In the morning of this day, the female (then seven years old) was very busy working on wool in the nest and was not distracted from working in the through by activities of the keeper (feeding). Both adults brooded intensively. BG 234 hatched on the 9th of April in an incubator. BG 086 carried a huge amount of nesting material to the eyrie in the course of September, first copulations were observed as from October. Two eggs were laid in 1996, BG 265 and BG 267 hatched on the 15th and 20th of March respectively. Both nestlings died approx. 14 days after hatching. In 1997, again two eggs were laid, both hatched (BG 283 and BG 285) on the 18th and 24th of March respectively. In 1998, again two eggs were laid. BG 297 hatched on 8th of March, the second egg proved to be infertile. BG 297 hatched in an incubator but the pair, still being in reproductive mood, recieved BG 294017070 as foster nestling. The female BG 104 immediately started to feed but was a little bit too inexperienced (food dropped to the ground instead into the beak of the young, female left the eyrie with the screaming baby but returned immediately). So BG 294 was replaced by BG 292199107, which was three days older. The adoption of this young by the pair BG 086 x BG 104 worked very well and both adults eagerly participated in rearing the young bird. As in the years before also in 1999, two eggs were laid: BG 319 hatched on the 24th of February, BG 324 on the 2nd of March. The latter was rather weak for the first week of life but recovered and was successfully reared by foster parents (BG 201 x BG 044), while BG 086 and his mate reared BG 312011054, coming from Breeding Centre Haute Savoie, France. On 16th of March, BG 313009006 was added to the eyrie, which had to be divided by a beam. The raising of both nestlings happened without any problems. In 2000, again two eggs hatched (BG 352 on the 24th of February and BG 357 on the 3rd of March). The latter needed human help during hatching and was a rather weak bird but recovered after six days. In this year, the pair again reared two nestlings in the divided nest site (BG 349009006 and BG 350009006). Their own offspring were reared by foster pairs. Also in 2001, two nestlings hatched (BG 370 on the 16th of February and BG 373 on the 21st of February). The latter, again, proved to be very weak for the first 7 days of life and needed human help during hatching. The pair had abandoned brooding on the 12th of February, no foster nestlings were reared in 2001. As usual, two offspring hatched in 2002: BG 393 on the 2nd of March and BG 396 on the 9th of March. Unfortunately, the latter died during hatching. In 2003, again two eggs were laid, but only one hatched (BG 417 on the 27th of February in the nest of its parents), the other had died during incubation. Unfortunately, BG 417 was found dead six days after hatching. The small carcass gave a weak impression, although food was stored at the eyrie. On 1st of March it had seemed to be well fed and content. In October, BG 086 had fierce fightings at the fence with the male of the neighbouring aviary and from 2nd week of November on, BG 086 gave a rather sick impression. He rested at the feeding place, fed, showed threat behaviour but did not fly away or move. A close examination on 12th of November at the Veterinary Medical University of Vienna revealed nothing but the bird did not reco- ver. On 12th of December he had to be separated from his female as she started to fiercly attack him. He fed well but seemed to be sick. In January he lost all primaries at the left wing, but recovered, was more active and also built at a nest. In the morning of 30th of March, BG 086 was found dead. Diagnosis: myocarditis, may be coming from a chronic sanious arthritis of the left carpal bones.

In all, BG 086 had 15 young, ﬁve of which died as nestlings, six were released and four remained in the breeding network: BG 234086104, female, hatched on the 9th of April 1995 is kept in Antwerp Zoo, Belgium since 26th of May 1996. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 14

12 Breeding Network 2004

BG 265086104, hatched on the 15th of March 1996 but died on 28th of March from an umbilical infection. BG 267086104 hatched on the 20th of March 1996 but died on 2nd of April from an overall bacterial infection (umbilical?). BG 283086104, male, hatched on the 18th of March 1997. The bird was released as „Tell“ in Swiss Nationalpark Engadine on the 20th of June. „Tell“ was last seen in Samnaun, Italy, on the 23rd of December 2003. From 1999 to 2002 he and his sister BG 285 formed PAIR SINE- STRA in Switzerland. For more insight in „Tell´s“ life see AR 1999, p. 46; AR 2000, p. 44-45; AR 2001, p. 46-47; AR 2002, p. 47-49; AR 2003, p. 50. BG 285086104, female, hatched on the 24th of March 1997 with some human help. On 3rd of April, the nestling was transferred to Alpenzoo Innsbruck, Austria, to be raised by the foster pair BG 019 x BG 021. The bird, „Sina“, was transferred to Swiss NP Engadine on 19th of June to be released with her sibling BG 283. The last observation of „Sina“ was made in Ramosch, Switzerland on 9th of February 2003. For more insight in „Sina´s“ life see AR 1999, p. 46; AR 2000, p. 44-45; AR 2001, p. 46-47; AR 2002, p. 47-49; AR 2003, p. 50. BG 297086104, male, hatched on the 8th of March 1998. On 9th of December 1998, BG 297 was transferred to Vogelpark Walsrode, Germany to be partner of BG 300080081, hatched in Hannover Zoo, Germany. On 14th of February 2002, both birds were transported to Wild- park Luneburger Heide, Germany. After the death of BG 300 on 2nd of June 2002, BG 297 returned to the VBU, Austria on 29th of September 2002. On 19th of September 2004, BG 297 was transferred to the Breeding centre Haute Savoie, France, to be the partner of BG 115019021, „Marie Antoinette“ (see p. 10). BG 319086104, female, hatched on the 24th of February 1998. On the 23rd of December it was transferred to Tel Aviv University Zoo, Israel to be paired with BG 326080081. BG 324086104, male, hatched on the 2nd of March 1999. For the ﬁrst seven days of life it was a rather weak bird and did not develop well. From 8th day on, it developed normally. Nevertheless, the bird died on 18th of August 1999 from Aspergillosis. BG 352086104, female hatched on the 24th of February 2000 and was transferred to Jerez Zoo, Spain, together with male BG 351017070 on the 16th of November 2000. BG 357086104, female, hatched with human help on the 3rd of March 2000. This was bird was released as „Retia“ in Martell valley, NP Stelvio, Italy on the 3rd of June 2000. BG 370086104, female, hatched on the 16th of February 2001 and was released as „Roure“ in NP Mercantour, France on the 15th of May 2001. BG 373086104, female, hatched with a little human help on the 21st of February 2001 and was released as „Christa“ in NP Hohe Tauern, Austria on the 23rd of May 2001. BG 393086104, female, hatched on the 2nd of March 2002 and was released as „Stift“ in NP Stelvio, Italy on the 1st of June 2002. BG 396086104 hatched on the 9th of March 2002. This bird died during hatching. BG 417086104 hatched on the 25th of February 2002 and died in the nest of its parents on 5th of March 2002.

Special thanks go to all collaborators of the breeding network of the EEP and those of the Reintroduction Project, who helped entirely benevolently. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 15

2004 Breeding Network 13

Table 3. EEP Stock in December 2004

No (m/f) LOCATION Age Age PARENTAGE GENERATION REMARKS m f {m/f}/{m/f} m/f 310/157 Almaty 11 30 wildcaught/{154/155} parent/F1

159/270 Almaty 25 25 wildcaught/wildcaught parent/parent

/432 Almaty 6 /wildcaught /parent

347/ Almaty 6 wildcaught/ parent/ handraised/

058/234 Antwerp Zoo 23 10 {019/021}/{086/104} F1/F2

294/292 Berlin Friedrichsfelde 7 7 {017/070}/{199/107} F1/F1

298/320 Berlin Zoo 7 6 {122/118}/{018/272} F2/F2

148/142 Bern 14 14 {019/021}/{009/041} F1/(F1/F2)

286/153 CCG ? ? wildcaught/wildcaught parent/parent

124/041 CCG 15 25* {131/132}/{034/035} F1/F1 * handraised

362/278 CCG 5 8 {080/081}/{065/074} F2/(F1/F2)

337/317 CCG 6 6 {201/044}/{017/070} (F1/F2)/F2

313/330 CCG 6 6 {009/006}/{108/119} (F1/F2)/(F3/F2)

172/290 CCG 13 7 {031/006}/{134/135} (F1/F2)/F1

232/329 CCG ? 6 wildcaught/{043/040} parent/F2

/103 CCG 17 /{065/040} /(F1/F2)

217/ CCG 11* {051/049}/ F2/ * handraised

/360 CCG 5 /{018/272} /F2

368/ CCG 5* {159/270}/ F1/ * handraised

371/ CCG 4 {105/178}/ (F2/F1)/

391/ CCG 3 {124/041}/ F2/

223/132 CCG 10 38 {014/010}/wildcaught F1/parent

410/412 CCG 2 2 {286/153}/wildcaught F1/parent

340/338 Chomutov 6 6 {018/272}/{134/135} (F2/F1)/F 1

160/ Faucounery du Puy 23 {154/155}/ F1/

145/091 Goldau 14 19 {131/132}/{005/006} F1/F2

060/276 Goldau 22 8 {034/035}/{199/107} F1/(F1/F2)

174/118 Goldau 13 16 {134/135}/{154/155} F1/F1

046/ Grünau 25 {022/023}/ F1/ handraised 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 16

14 Breeding Network 2004

No (m/f) LOCATION Age Age PARENTAGE GENERATION REMARKS m f {m/f}/{m/f} m/f

080/081 Hannover 20 20 {019/021}/{004/027} F1/F1

087/054 Haute-Savoie 19 23 {014/010}/{034/035} F1/F1

297/115 Haute-Savoie 7 15 {086/104}/{019/021} F1/F1

179/281 Helsinki 24 8 {154/155}/{131/132} F1/F1

202/ Hochlehnert 17 {150/151}/ F1 handraised 203/218 Hochlehnert 15 11 {150/151}/{080/081} F1/F2

019/021 Innsbruck 39 39 wildcaught/wildcaught parent/parent

351/352 Jerez 5 5 {017/070}/{086/104} F2/F2

034/130 La Garenne 35 14 wildcaught/{150/151} parent/F1

180/274 Liberec 20 14 {161/162}/wildcaught F1/parent both handraised

394/397 Liberec 3 3 {034/130}/{201/044} (F1/F2/(F1/F2

161/125 Moscow 36 15 wildcaught/{009/041} parent/(F1/F2)

342 Moscow 6 6 {159/270} F1 handraised

018/272 Nuremberg 26 20 {019/021}/{161/162} F1/F1 both handraised

325/322 Ostrava 6 6 {017/070}/{152/153} F2/F1

207/233 Ostrava 11 10 {017/070}/{122/118} F2/F2

134/135 Prague 36 36 wildcaught/wildcaught parent/parent

328/336 Poznan 6 6 {080/081}/{201/044} F2/(F1/F2)

/381 Riga 4 /{159/270} /F1 handraised

047/209 San Diego 24* 11 {034/035}/{150/151} F1/F1 * handraised

129/212 Stuttgart 15 11 {051/049}/{152/153} F2/F1

201/044 Schönbrunn, Vienna 17 25 wildcaught/{002/003} parent/F1

431/ Tallin 5 wildcaught/ parent/ handraised

/319 Tel Aviv, Univ. 6 /{086/104} /F2

031/003 VBU 45 43 wildcaught/wildcaught parent/parent

014/133 VBU 38 16 wildcaught/{134/135} parent/F1

009/006 VBU 33 27 wildcaught/{019/020} parent/F1

065/ VBU 33 wildcaught/ parent/ 204/ ? wildcaught parent

199/107 VBU ? 17 wildcaught/{150/151} parent/F1 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 17

2004 Breeding Network 15

No (m/f) LOCATION Age Age PARENTAGE GENERATION REMARKS m f {m/f}/{m/f} m/f

017/070 VBU 26 21 {019/021}/{022/023} F1/F1

/104 VBU 17 /{030/026} /F1

105/178 VBU 17 32 {161/162}/wildcaught F1/parent

108/175 VBU 16 13 {065/040}/{152/153} (F1/F2)/F1

/137 VBU 20 /{154/155} /F1

327/314 VBU 6 6 {105/178}/{009/006} (F2/F1)/(F1/F2)

376/ VBU 4 {180/274}| F2/F1/

/389 VBU 3 /{199/197} /{F1/F2}

399/ VBU 3 {159/270}| F1/

414/ VBU 2 {105/178}/ F2/F1/

/436 VBU 1 /{180/274} /F1/F2

437/ VBU 1 {180274}/ F1/F2/

444/ VBU 1 {080081}/ F2/

190/227 Walsrode 12 10 {152/153}/{011/054} F1/F2

076/303 Wassenaar 20 7 {022/023}/{009/006} F1/{F1/F2}

043/040 Wuppertal 25* 25 {019/021}/{034/035} F1/F1 * handraised

BG 444, Toto, in the VBU

Photo: KARL HOFBAUER - HÖFER, AUSTRIA 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 18

16 Breeding Network 2004

228 236 237 242 053 061 068 079 085 097 253 120 141 171 246 249 251 055 063 069 082 090 098 221 248 176 257 250 252 057 243 073 083 235 247 177 254 187 198 222 255 Drawing: Ueli Iff, Switzerlanmd Drawing: Ueli Iff,

Table 4: Reproduction between 1978 and 2004 4.9.1 244 133 119 5.6 6.5 6.4 118 203 149 5.4.1 6.2.1 202 117 130 148 175 4.4 179 3.4.1 107 116 129 147 174 160 164 272 106 115 128 146 173 046 163 3.3 180 3.3 2.3.1 105 114 127 145 172 045 052 074 137 091 256 104 113 126 144 170 3.0.1 044 051 072 081 089 096 103 112 125 143 169 241 043 050 2.1 2.1 071 080 088 095 102 111 124 142 168 1.1 018 042 049 058 064 070 078 087 094 101 110 123 140 167 006 017 041 048 056 062 067 077 086 093 100 109 122 139 166 005 011 040 047 054 060 066 076 084 092 099 108 121 138 165 1985 1987 1990 1991 1978 1979 1980 1982 1988 1989 1981 1983 1984 1986 1992 5 8 9 10 10 9 12 13 13 16 17 19 19 22 22 (1) (3) (5) (4) (4) (4) (4) (7) (4) (4) (8) (10) (9) (8) (9)

Number of egg laying pairs (Number of successfully reproducing pairs)

nnn For breeding nnn Died as juvenile, immature or adult nnn Died as nestling nnn Released nnn Released and dead or lost n.n.n male.female.sex unknown 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 19

2004 Breeding Network 17

189 211 224 262 280 293 344 358 379 396 428 445 192 226 265 282 295 343 356 390 423 443 194 267 284 302 333 353 385 421 * 434 269 332 * 384 419 331 417 318 416 315

11.13.1 342 340 339 338 337 336 Drawing: Ueli Iff, Switzerland 335 8.8.1 330 307 329 306 328 9.6 7.6.2 7.6.1 7.7 305 327 368 408* 200 220 304 326 364 405 197 219 303 325 363 5.5.2 402 196 218 301 324 362 381 399 195 217 300 323 361 380 398 3.7 5.5 193 216 299 322 360 378 * 397 426 446 191 215 2.3.3 2.5.1 298 321 359 377 395 424 444 190 214 2.5 268 285 297 320 357 376 394 422 441 188 213 234 266 283 296 319 355 375 393 420 440 186 212 233 264 281 294 317 354 374 392 418 439 185 210 231 263 279 292 316 352 373 391 415 438 184 209 229 261 278 291 314 351 372 389 414 437 183 208 227 260 277 * 290 313 350 371 388 413 436 182 207 225 259 276 289 312 349 370 387 411 435 181 206 223 258 275 288 311 348 369 386 410 433 2001 2002 2004 2000 2003 1997 1993 1998 1994 1995 1996 1999 21 18 18 18 23 23 23 24 24 24 22 21 (11) (12) (7) (6) (6) (13) (17) (11) (11) (11) (11) (10)

Number of egg laying pairs (Number of successfully reproducing pairs)

nnn stolen nnn * given to a commercial falconry station nnn given to a zoo outside the EEP 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 20

18 Breeding Network 2004

Table 5: Age distribution of Bearded Vultures within the breeding network as on 31 December 2004 Age in years

031 45 44 43 003 males 42 females 41 40 019 39 021 014 38 132 37 161 134 034 36 135 35 34 065 009 33 32 178 31 30 157 156 29 28 27 006 018 017 26 159 046 043 25 040 041 044 270 179 047 24 160 058 23 054 199 060 22 21 070 180 080 076 20 081 137 272 087 19 091 18 202 201 105 17 103 104 107 108 16 118 133 115 203 129 124 15 125 130 148 145 14 142 274 174 172 13 175 190 12 nnn Studbooknumber 217 207 11 209 212 218 223 10 225 227 233 234 9 8 276 278 281 298 297 294 7 290 292 303 307 347 342 340 337 328 327 326 325 313 6 314 317 319 320 322 329 330 336 338 342 347 368 362 351 5 352 360 376 371 4 381 398 399 394 391 3 389 397 398 414 410 2 444 437 1 436 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 21

2004 Breeding Network 19

Report on Releases in 2004

by Hans Frey *

In the year 2004, eight young Bearded Vultures were to be released, two at each of four release sites (NP Hohe Tauern, Haute Savoie, NP Argentera and Martell).

These were:

BG 433 male born in the VBU, Austria BG 435 female born in the VBU, Austria BG 438 male born in la Garenne Zoo, Switzerland BG 439 female born in the CCG, Spain BG 440 female born in the VBU, Austria BG 441 female born in Prague Zoo, Czech Republik BG 444 male born in Hannover Zoo, Germany BG 446 male born in the Breeding Centre Goldau, Switzerland

In all, four females and four males.

The studbooknumber, sex, name, ring and feather marks of the released birds are shown in FIGURE 1.

Figure 1: Markings 2004.

wing left: 4-5 wing left: 11-12; 21-23 tail left: 2-3 BG 433, male, Blangíar BG 435, female, Palanfré ring:right talon: red; left talon: blue ring:right talon: red; left talon: black

wing left: 2-3; 13-14 tail right: 3-4 wing right: 14-15 tail left: 2-3 BG 438, male, Culan BG 439, female, Ortler ring:right talon: red; left talon: gold ring:right talon: red; left talon: green

20 Release 2004

wing right: 5-6 wing left: 3-4 wing right: 2-3; tail left: 3-4 BG 440, female, Gilbert 12-13; BG 441, female, Bella Cha 21-22 ring:right talon: red; left talon: copper ring:right talon: red; left talon: red

wing right: 4-5; 16-17 wing right: 4-6 tail left: 1-5 BG 444, male, Toto BG 446, male, Hubertus 2 ring:right talon: red; left talon: violet ring:right talon: red; left talon: silver

recaptured on 28th of December 2004

Bearded Vultures released in the period 1986 to 2004

Rauris, Mallnitz, Gschlöß, Gastein & Kals

Between 1986 and 2004, 39 Bearded Vultures were released in the NATIONAL PARK HOHE TAUERN: 16 males, 23 females. They are the offspring of 17 different breeding pairs. One female was shot (Nina, BG 096034035, in France, at the age of seven years in 1993), one female died in an avalanche (Jack- pot, BG 214034035, in Austria, being one year old in 1995), two females and one male had to be recaptured (Winnie, BG 091005006, in Austria, being one year old in 1986, Keno, BG 329043040 in 1999, some days after her ﬁrst ﬂight at the release site and Hubsi, BG 121065040, at the release site in 1990). Five birds are missing (Heinz, BG 092022023, since 1987, Ulli, BG 102002003, since 1992, Bernhard, BG 167017070, since 1992, Winfried, BG 191065040, since 1993 and Paradatsch, BG 106005006, since 1997). Haute-Savoie

37 Bearded Vultures have been released since 1987: 15 males, 19 females and three birds of unknown sex. They derive from 18 different breeding pairs. Six males and three females died (Robespier- re, BG 114002003 in its ﬁrst year of life through collision with a power line in 1989, BG 147011054 and BG 377080081, Europa Life, because of illness at the nest site in 1991 and in 2001 respectively, Republic 7, BG 219065040 killed at the nest site by a fox in 1994, Danton, BG 113022023, in its seventh year of life as a result of colliding with a power line in 1996 in France, the female Mélusine, BG 093022023, in its third year, killed by an avalanche in 1989 in Switzerland and the female Republic 5, BG 182002003 shot in 1997 in Wallis, Switzerland). Another adult bird was found dead in 1997. Sex determination based on feathers of the dead bird proved that it is Republic, BG 144051049. The ring with the studbooknumber was missing, leaving only the second ring. The latter indicated only the release site of Haute-Savoie and the year of release (1991), so the examination of the feathers revealed the identity of the Bearded Vulture. An additional male, Saturnin, BG 094019021 is missing as from 1987. Recently, some evidence has come to light indicating that this bird was already shot not far from its release site in the summer of 1987. Averell, BG 140009041 was found dead in the 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 23

2004 Release 21

Lechtal (Austria) in 2002. The reason of death still is not documented (see AR 2002, p. 64 - 65). Marie Antoinette (BG 115019021), released in 1989 and one of the partners of the trio of Val dÍsere, had to recaptured on the 19th of May. The bird was rather weak and one wing injured - it will never be re-released anymore. After some weeks of husbandry in a rehabilitation centre in Haute Savoie, BG 115 was transferred to the Breeding Centre Haute Savoie end of August. The first vulture born in the wild and named Phénix Alp Action (BGW 01) fledged successfully in Haute Savoie in 1997 followed by the second one, named Dominique (BGW 03) in 1998. Also in 1999 the pair Assignat (BG 111) x Balthazar (BG 099) bred successfully, producing BGW 05 (Rho- nealp) and in 2000 BGW 06 (Reposoir). In 2001, this pair ceased brooding, in 2002 one young hatched (BGW 15, Clarins) but died falling from the rock with parts of the eyrie with an age of 2.5 months. Two additionally young fledged in Termignon (BGW14, Arpont) and Val dÍsere (BGW 16, Free Ride) in 2002. In 2003, the French pairs were not so successful, only one young fledged (BGW18, Cross-Border) in Val dÍsere on 28th of July. The „old“ breeding pair of Bargy again had a young, but this one died before fledging (BGW19). In 2004, again two offspring fledged, BGW21, Pelvio in Termignon and BGW25, Morsulaz deriving from the Bargy pair. Engadin/Nationalpark Stelvio

Between 1991 and 2004, 28 Bearded Vultures were released in the Swiss National Park and Stelvio Nationalpark: 14 males and 14 females. They are the offspring of 18 different pairs. A male (Felix, BG 193009041) was shot at the age of one year on the border between Austria and Italy in 1994. Ano- ther, Roseg, BG 374034130 disappeared short time after fledging. A young bird (Stelvio, BGW 02) was born in the wild not far from the release site, near the Italian- Swiss border in 1998. In 2000, two pairs, one in Bormio, the second in Livigno (both territories near the Italian-Swiss border) successfuly reared BGW 07 (Diana Stelvio) and BGW 08 (Livigno) respectively. In 2001 again one young was born in Bormio, BGW 09 (Stelvio 01), which successfully fledged, whereas the young of pair Livigno (BGW 10) died on the 1st of June. In 2002, three young vultures were reared in the wild: BGW 11, Moische-Livigno in Livigno, BGW 12, Zebru in Val Zebru and BGW 13, Beverin-Stelvio in Bormio. In 2003, two young were born: BGW17, Regina-Livigno, fledged on the 22nd of July in Dardaligno and BGW20, which died before flegding in Zebru. Again in 2004, three offspring became reared successfully: BGW22, Silva-Zebru in Zebru, BGW23, Tommy- Livigno in Livigno and BGW24, Gerry-Stelvio in Bormio. Argentera/Mercantour

Since 1993, 25 Bearded Vultures, being the offspring of ten breeding pairs, have been released: 13 (ﬁve males, seven females and one bird of unknown sex) in the Mercantour N.P. and 12 (seven males and ﬁve females) in Argentera Parco Naturale Alpi Marittime. They are the offspring of 13 different pairs. One female (Geo, BG 227011054) had to be recaptured in 1995, one male, Mounier (BG 196131132) was found dead, shot in 2000 and one female, Mercantour (BG 213031006) is missing. TOTAL

Within the framework of the Bearded Vulture Project a total of 129 young Bearded Vultures have been released into the Alps since 1986: 57 males, 68 females and 4 birds of unknown sex. They are the offspring of 33 different pairs.

Five young Bearded Vultures had to be returned into the breeding network (Winnie, BG 091005006, Hubsi, BG 121065040, Geo, BG 227011054, Keno, BG 329043040, Toto, BG 444080081) and one adult (Marie Antoinette, BG 115019021). Thirteen, possibly 15, died (Mélusine, BG 093022023, Nina, BG 096034035, Danton, BG 113022023, Robespierre, BG 114002003, Averell, BG 1400090041, Republic, BG 144051049, BG 147011054, Republic 5, BG 182002003, Felix, BG 193009041, Jackpot, BG 214034035, Republic 7, BG 219065040, Saturnin, BG 094019021 {?}, Mounier, BG 196131132), Euro- paLife, BG 377080081, Roseg, BG 374034130 {?}), while six are missing (Heinz, BG 092022023, Ulli, BG 102002003, Paradatsch, BG 106005006, Bernhard, BG 167017070, Winfried, BG 191065040, Mer- cantour, BG 213031006). At present at least 90 Bearded Vultures are living in the wild. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 24

22 Release 2004

Site RAURIS

1986 BG 084 022 023 Hans m Wassenaar BG 088 019 021 Fritz f Alpenzoo Innsbruck BG 089 019 021 Ellen f Alpenzoo Innsbruck BG 091 005 019 020/006 019 020 Winnie f recaptured Grünau 1987 BG 092 022 023 Heinz m lost Wassenaar BG 096 034 035 Nina f shot La Garenne Zoo 1988 BG 100 019 021 Alexa f Alpenzoo Innsbruck BG 102 002 003 Ulli m lost Vienna Breeding Unit BG 106 005 019 020/006 019 020 Paradatsch f lost Grünau 1989 BG 109 065/040 034 035 Karl f Vienna Breeding Unit BG 110 002 003 Joey m Vienna Breeding Unit BG 112 019 021 Colleen f Alpenzoo Innsbruck BG 117 017 019 021/070 022 023 Baselisk f Vienna Breeding Unit 1990 BG 121 065/040 034 035 Hubertus m recaptured Vienna Breeding Unit BG 123 002 003 Lotte f Vienna Breeding Unit 1991 BG 138 065/040 034 035 Nicola f Vienna Breeding Unit BG 139 065/040 034 035 Diana f Vienna Breeding Unit 1992 BG 167 017 019 021/070 022 023 Bernhard m lost Vienna Breeding Unit BG 168 150 151 Fulvio m Berlin Friedrichsfelde 1993 BG 183 002 003 Helmut m Vienna Breeding Unit BG 191 065/040 034 035 Winfried m lost Vienna Breeding Unit 1994 BG 208 002 003 Hans Rupert f Vienna Breeding Unit BG 214 034 035 Jackpot f dead La Garenne Zoo 1995 no release took place 1996 BG 260 019 021 Andreas Hofer f Alpenzoo Innsbruck BG 261 150 151 Marga f Berlin Friedrichsfelde 1997 no release took place 1998 BG 291 019 021 Daniel m Alpenzoo Innsbruck BG 296 199 107 150 151 Jackpot 3 m Vienna Breeding Unit 1999 BG 316 019 021 Zonta f Alpenzoo Innsbruck BG 329 043 019 021/040 034 035 Keno f recaptured Wuppertal Zoo TOTAL 1986 - 1999 29 11.18

Site MALLNITZ

2000 BG 350 009/006 019 021 Bingo f Vienna Breeding Unit BG 355 034/130 150 151 Georg m La Garenne 2003 BG 420 124 131 132/041 034 035 Joker f Centro de Cria Guadalentin BG 422 080 019 021/ 081 004 027 Kasati m Hannover Zoo TOTAL 2003 4 2.2

Site GSCHLÖß

2001 BG 372 017 019 021/070 022 023 El Dorado f Vienna Breeding Unit BG 373 086 010 014/104 030 026 Christa f Vienna Breeding Unit TOTAL 2001 2 0.2 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 25

2004 Release 23

Site GASTEIN

2002 BG 387 134 135 Franz m Prague BG 392 017 019 021/070 022 023 Ambo f Vienna Breeding Unit TOTAL 2003 2 1.1 Site KALS

2004 BG 444 080 019 021/ 081 004 027 Toto m recaptured Hannover Zoo BG 446 174 134 135/118 154 155 Hubertus 2 m Breeding Centre Goldau TOTAL 2004 2 2.0

TOTAL 1986 - 2004 39 16.23

Site HAUTE-SAVOIE

1987 BG 093 022 023 Mélusine f dead Wassenaar BG 094 019 021 Saturnin m lost (dead?) Alpenzoo Innsbruck BG 095 019 021 Marie Paradis f Alpenzoo Innsbruck 1988 BG 099 022 023 Balthazar m Wassenaar BG 101 019 021 Melchior m Alpenzoo Innsbruck 1989 BG 111 034 035 Assignat f La Garenne Zoo BG 113 022 023 Danton m dead Wassenaar BG 114 002 003 Robespierre m dead Vienna Breeding Unit BG 115 019 021 Marie-Antoinette f recaptured Alpenzoo Innsbruck BG 116 005 019 020/006 019 020 Charlotte f Wildpark Grünau 1990 BG 126 017 019 021/070 022 023 Yvan f Vienna Breeding Unit BG 127 017 019 021/070 022 023 Robin f Vienna Breeding Unit 1991 BG 140 009/041 034 035 Averell m dead Vienna Breeding Unit BG 144 051 002 003/049 019 021 Republic f dead Dortmund Zoo BG 147 011 002 003/054 034 035 - m dead Breeding Centre Haute-Savoie 1992 BG 165 011 002 003/054 034 035 Republic 2 ? Breeding Centre Haute-Savoie BG 166 009/041 034 035 Republic 3 m Vienna Breeding Unit 1993 BG 181 011 002 003/054 034 035 Republic 4 f Breeding Centre Haute-Savoie BG 182 002 003 Republic 5 f shot Vienna Breeding Unit 1994 BG 216 009/041 034 035 Republic 6 f Vienna Breeding Unit BG 219 065/040 034 035 Republic 7 m dead Vienna Breeding Unit 1995 no release took place 1996 BG 258 011 002 003/054 034 035 Republic 8 f Breeding Centre Haute-Savoie BG 259 150 151 Republic 9 ? Berlin Friedrichsfelde 1997 no release took place 1998 BG 288 011 002 003/054 034 035 Republic 11 f Breeding Centre Haute-Savoie BG 289 019 021 Crystal f Alpenzoo Innsbruck

1999 BG 335 087 014 010/173 051 049 Republic 13 m Breeding Centre Haute-Savoie BG 339 051 002 003/151 Doran m Dortmund Zoo 2000 BG 359 134 135 Pablo m Prague Zoo BG 361 080 019 021/081 004 027 Montblanc m Hannover Zoo 2001 BG 377 080 019 021/081 004 027 EuropaLife m dead Hannover Zoo BG 380 043 019 021/040 034 035 Natura Mate f Wuppertal Zoo 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 26

24 Release 2004

Site HAUTE-SAVOIE

2002 BG 402 108 065 040/175 152 153 Life m Vienna Breeding Unit BG 405 180 161 162/274 Aravis m Liberec Zoo 2003 BG 415 017 019 021/070 022 023 Sadri f Vienna Breeding Unit BG 418 199/107 150 151 Transalpaete f Vienna Breeding Unit 2004 BG 440 199/107 150 151 Gilbert f Vienna Breeding Unit BG 441 134 135 Bella Cha f Prague Zoo TOTAL 1987 - 2004 37 15.19.3

Site ENGADIN

1991 BG 143 002 003 Settschient m Vienna Breeding Unit BG 146 017 019 021/070 022 023 Moische f Vienna Breeding Unit BG 149 150 151 Margunet m Berlin Friedrichsfelde 1992 BG 169 017 019 021/070 022 023 Jo f Vienna Breeding Unit BG 170 060 034 035/074 004 027 Ivraina f Vienna Breeding Unit 1993 BG 186 051 002 003/049 019 021 Cic m Dortmund Zoo BG 193 009/041 034 035 Felix m shot Vienna Breeding Unit 1994 BG 210 051 002 003/049 019 021 Pisoc m Dortmund Zoo BG 220 048 034 035/045 002 003 Valimosch m Tel Aviv Zoo 1995 no release took place 1996 BG 263 060 034 035/003 Berna m Vienna Breeding Unit BG 264 131 132 Mauritio m Dresden Zoo 1997 BG 283 086 014 010/104 030 026 Tell m Vienna Breeding Unit BG 285 086 014 010/104 030 026 Sina f Vienna Breeding Unit 1998 BG 299 034/130 150 151 Gildo f La Garenne Zoo BG 301 080 019 021/081 004 027 Diana-Valais m Hannover Zoo 1999 BG 321 034/130 150151 Veronika f La Garenne Zoo BG 323 043 019 021/040 034 035 Sempach f Wuppertal Zoo 2000 BG 363 172 031 006/091 005 006 Christelle f Breeding Centre Goldau BG 364 019 021 Louis m Alpenzoo Innsbruck 2001 BG 374 034/130 150 151 Roseg m lost (dead?) La Garenne Zoo BG 375 199/107 150 151 Felice f Vienna Breeding Unit 2002 no release took place 2003 BG 424 122 010 014/118 154 155 Thuri Breeding Centre Goldau 2004 no release took place TOTAL 1991 - 2004 22 12.10

Site MARTELL

2000 BG 354 134 135 Interreg m Prague Zoo BG 357 086 010 014/ 104 030 026 Rätia f Vienna Breeding Unit 2002 BG 393 086 010 014/ 104 030 026 Stift f Vienna Breeding Unit BG 395 122 010 014/ 118 154 155 Martell f Breeding Centre Goldau 2004 BG 438 034/130 150151 Culan m La Garenne Zoo BG 439 124 131 132/041 034 035 Ortler f Centro de Cria Guadalentin TOTAL 2000 - 2004 6 2.4 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 27

2004 Release 25

Site MERCANTOUR

1993 BG 195 060 034 035/074 004 027 Argentera f Vienna Breeding Unit BG 196 131 132 Mounier m dead Dresden Zoo BG 197 131 132 Florent m (?) * Dresden Zoo 1994 no release took place 1995 BG 227 011 002 003/054 034 035 Geo f recaptured Breeding Centre Haute-Savoie BG 229 051 002 003/049 019 021 Firmin m Dortmund Zoo 1996 no release took place 1997 BG 275 018 019 021/272 161 162 Pelat m Nuremberg Zoo BG 279 152 153 Gelas f Berlin Friedrichsfelde 1998 no release took place 1999 BG 311 011 002 003/054 034 035 Roubion m Breeding Centre Haute-Savoie BG 312 011 002 003/054 034 035 Péone f Breeding Centre Haute-Savoie 2000 no release took place 2001 BG 369 009/006 019 020 Larche m Vienna Breeding Unit BG 370 086 010 014/ 104 030 026 Roure f Vienna Breeding Unit 2002 no release took place 2003 BG 411 180 161 162/274 Guillaumes f Liberec Zoo BG 413 180 161 162/274 Jausiers f Liberec Zoo 2004 no release took place TOTAL 1993 - 2004 13 5.7.1

Site ARGENTERA

1994 BG 213 031/006 019 020 Mercantour f lost Vienna Breeding Unit BG 215 131 132 Topolino m Dresden Zoo 1995 no release took place 1996 BG 266 017 019 021/070 022 023 Entrague m Vienna Breeding Unit BG 268 131 132 Valdieri f Dresden Zoo 1997 no release took place 1998 BG 304 152 153 Aisone m Berlin Friedrichsfelde BG 305 152 153 Vernante m Berlin Friedrichsfelde 1999 no release took place 2000 BG 348 011 002 003/054 034 035 Sereno m Breeding Centre Haute-Savoie BG 349 009/006 019 020 Ciabri f Vienna Breeding Unit 2001 no release took place 2002 BG 386 199/ 107150 151 Alpidoc f Vienna Breeding Unit BG 388 017 019 021/070 022 023 Paolo Peila m Vienna Breeding Unit 2003 no release took place 2004 BG 433 108 065 040/175 152 153 Blangiar m Vienna Breeding Unit BG 435 108 065 040/175 152 153 Palanfré f Vienna Breeding Unit TOTAL 1994 - 2004 12 7.5

m (?) */f (?) * = sex assumed according only to the body size. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 28

26 Release 2004

Age distribution of released Bearded Vultures (Gypaetus barbatus) as on 31 December 2004

year male age female No of released birds

2004 446 444* 438 433 1 435 439 440 441 8 2003 422 2 411 413 415 418 420 424 7 2002 405 402 388 387 3 386 392 393 395 8 2001 374 377 369 4 370 372 373 375 380 8 2000 364 361 359 355 354 348 5 349 350 357 363 10 1999 339 335 311 6 312 316 321 323 329* 8 1998 305 304 301 296 291 7 288 289 299 8 1997 283 275 8 279 285 4 1996 266 264 263 259 9 258 259 260 261 268 8 1995 229 10 227* 2 1994 220 219 215 210 11 208 213 214 216 8 1993 197 196 193 191 186 183 12 181 182 195 197 9 1992 168 167 166 165 13 165 169 170 6 1991 149 147 143 140 14 138 139 144 146 8 1990 121* 15 123 126 127 4 1989 114 113 110 16 109 111 112 115 116 117 9 1988 102 101 099 17 100 106 5 1987 094 092 18 093 095 096 5 1986 084 19 088 089 091* 4

Total 61 72 129 undetermined (4) (4) dead 8 5 recaptured 2 3

maturity nnn lost nnn sex not determined

nnn breeding pairs nnn dead nnn* recaptured 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 29

2004 Release 27

Report on the release in the Hohe Tauern National Park, Kals 2004

by Michael Knollseisen* & Robert Eksic **

In the course of the project for the reintroduction of the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) into the Alps, two young Bearded Vultures (BG 372017070, El Dorado and BG 373086104, Christa) were released in the Tyrol part of the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern for the ﬁrst time in 2001 (see Annual Report 2001, p. 26-27). In 2004, the release was transferred from Matrei to Kals with the aim to inte- grate other municipalities into the project and to rise public interest. Relating to the area, Kals am Großglockner is the second largest Nationalpark- community in Eastern Tyrol. Beside Heiligenblut, Kals is an important starting point for the ascent of the highest mountain of Austria, the Großglock- ner (3798m). Due to intense preparation, the hunter association of Kals, landowners and the municipality could be attained as project partners. Despite heavy rainfall, about 500 visitors accompanied the young Bearded Vultures Toto (BG 444, born in Hannover Zoo/Germany) and Hubertus 2 (BG 446, born in the Breeding Centre Goldau/CH) on the 2nd of July to their release. Toto was sponsored by the AUSTRIAN LOTTERIES, Hubertus 2 by the TYROLEAN HUNTER ASSOCIATION. The birds were placed into a little cave, situated at 2170 m altitude, underneath the Figerhorn in the Kalser Ködnitztal (12o 41´/ 47o 01´). On the hiking trail through the Ködnitztal, the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern erected in cooperation with the project partners EGS Austria and the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, a Bearded Vulture observation- and information stand, which attracted 25.000 visitors during the summer, until the beginning of October. From the release on, the behaviour patterns of the two young birds were recorded in order to reco- TOTO BG 444, male, born on 30th of March 2004 born at Hannover Zoo (BG 080019021 x BG 081004027) feather marks: right wing 4 to 5; 16 to 17

rings: right red, left violet

recaptured on 28th of December 2004

HUBERTUS 2 BG 446, male, born on 4th of April 2004 born at Breeding Centre Goldau (BG 174134135 x BG118154155) feather marks: right wing 4 to 6 left tail 1 to 5 rings: right red, left silver

* EGS Österreich, Untertauern 3, A-9844 Heiligenblut, Austria, [email protected] ** Nationalpark Hohe Tauern, Nationalparkverwaltung, Kirchplatz 2, A-9971 Matrei , Austria 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 30

28 Release 2004

gnise any kind of developmental irregularity, and to compare the behaviour of Toto and Hubertus 2 with the one of earlier released Bearded Vultures. In the cave, feeding took place until the bird's first flight, which Toto started on the 26th of July, and Hubertus 2 on the 6th of August. Afterwards, food (sheep bones and remains of game) was distributed over an ever expanding area in order to sti- mulate the young birds to an active search for food. The bones were put in ditches with avalanche debris, as naturally, crashed down animals are often found in such places. Some cable yardings, erected for supplying the mountain huts on the Großglockner, turned out to put no severe risk on the two young birds during the first weeks after release. Hopefully, the early contact with those, for large raptors highly dangerous, cable yardings, will help the young birds to securely circle through the wired Alps. A more severe disturbance factor turned out to be the heavy helicopter traffic, which was necessary for construction works at the Erzherzog Johann Hütte. In the beginning, the two young birds were freaked out; they almost completely stopped their flying activities, and consequently had trouble in finding enough food. Luckily, due to bad weather conditions on the Großglockner, the helicopters had to limit their flights during the critical developmental stage of the young vultures (the first weeks after their first flight). Concerning the helicopter routes, a compromise could be achieved between the helicopter team and the Bearded Vulture team. But because of a lack of necessary laws, the direct surroundings of the release site could not be sufficiently secured. As the summer passed, a certain kind of habituation of the young birds to flying objects could be noticed. Four weeks after their first flight, Toto and Hubertus 2 began to explore the further surroundings of the release site. Again and again, they were observed finding their food independently. Therefore, parallel to the development of their ability to find food themselves, feeding was reduced stepwise, and stopped by the end of September. Due to numerous visitors in the Ködnitztal, and consequently many publications about the Bearded Vulture project in local press, public interest in the development of the two young birds was high. So, with the aid of various observation reports, Toto and Hubertus 2 could be pursued on their way through the Hohe Tauern during the last weeks. Until the beginning of November, Toto was still regularly seen in Kals, whereas Hubertus 2 is observed in the eastern Tauern (60 km from Kals). In November Toto started to travel around eastern Tyrol, several time togheter with Joker (BG 420124041, Mallnitz 2003). As the capture of Culan, BG 438034130 (satellite telemetry experiment NP Stilfser Joch) failed, some attempts were made in cooperation with the Stiftung Pro Bartgeier (CH) in order to catch, and to affix a radio transmitter to Toto, from the end of August on. But because of the short preparation time, this telemetry experiment was stopped after a few weeks.

Report on the release at the Haute Savoie site in 2004

by Marie Zimmermann *, Patrick Gardet * & Jérôme Déthes *

Under a cloudy day the two birds, Gilbert (BG 440199107) and Bella Cha (BG 441134135) have been released the 2nd of June 2004 on the Doran site in Haute-Savoy. Numbers of Bearded Vulture's friends were present: GILBERT AMIGUES, the French Ministry, the Rhône-Alps Region, the Haute- Savoy department, observers, climbers, paragliders, hunters… Bella Cha is a female, born on the 4th of March 2004 in the Prague Zoo, Czech Republic. She is named after a mountain next to the release site. She flew for the first time on 28th of June with an age of 117 days. Gilbert is a female too, born on 4th of March 2004 in the Vienna Breeding Unit. She is named in honour to GILBERT AMIGUES, at the origin of the reintroduction's idea. She undertook her first flight on 3rd of July with an age of 122 days.

* ASTERS, 278 avenue de Saint-Martin, 74700 Sallanches, FRANCE [email protected] or [email protected] 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 31

2004 Release 29

The birds have been followed by a trainee team who have focused on the criteria of the Monitoring protocol common in the French Alps, as the flapping wing cumulated (before the first flight), the flying time cumulated, the quality of the night roof and the relationship between the two birds and with other. Gilbert was dominant overBella Cha, which fell down the cave a few days after the release, fortunately without damage. Bella Cha was again removed to the cave at the opposite side of Gilbert, so she could feed normally and in peace. Just a few days before the first flight of Bella Cha, Gilbert got contact to her and again behaved rather dominant. Bella Cha flew away the first time (on 28th of June) after having been pus- hed by Gilbert. She wouldn´t fly again in the whole day. Gil- bert showed good emancipation and flew by her own the 3rd of July. She was already efficient as she had a flying model (Bella Cha) and as she was older than the flying average age (122 days). After their first flight, the birds became inseparable, always flying, feeding and perching together, no more dominant Photo: JULES HEURET, France behaviour has been observed. Eight Bearded Vultures have been in contact with the released ones without aggression: the Bargy pair, Melchior (BG 101) and Assignat (BG 111), Phenix Alp Action (BGW 01) and Gildo (BG 299), the sub adults, Haute-Savoie-Mont-Blanc (BG 361), Georg (BG 355), Christelle (BG 363), and a second year immature bird: Life (BG 402). At the end of the monitoring, the two birds showed a good emancipation and we could observe attempts of breaking bones. This release season has been a success. 37 birds have been released in Haute-Savoy so far. But we observe potential disturbance by the paragliding, and motor flying over. Seven Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) were also observed during the release season.

GILBERT BG 440, female, born on 4th of March 2004 born at Vienna Breeding Unit (BG 199 x BG 107150151) feather marks: right wing 2 to 3; 12 to 13; 21 to 22 rings: right red, left copper

BELLA CHA BG 441, female, born on 4th of March 2004 born at Prague Zoo (BG 134 x BG 135) feather marks: left wing 5 to 6 right wing 3 to 4 left tail 3 to 4 rings: right red, left red 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 32

30 Release 2004

Release in Martell Valley, Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio in 2004

by Daniel Hegglin*

On 5th of June 2004, the two Bearded Vultures Culan (BG 438, male) and Ortler 1804 (BG 439, female) were released in the Martelltal of the Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio both at an age of 98 days. Culan originates from the Zoo de la Garenne, Switzerland, and Ortler 1804 from the Centro de Cría del Guadalentín, Spain. After some aggressive interactions during the first days after the release, the juveniles inter- acted frequently in a friendly manner. They showed a normal behaviour and normal development. Culan fledged on 25th of June (at an age of 118 days) and Ortler 1804 on 28th June (121 days old). Two subadult, unmarked Bearded Vultures were observed at the release site. A one year old bird for a period of seven days and a two to three year old bird during one day. Mainly Ortler, but also Culan spent much time flying together with these two birds. For more information see also the article on the project «Bearded Vultures on the Move» (p. 52 - 56). CULAN BG 438, male, born on 27th of February 2004 born at La Garenne Zoo (BG 034 x BG 130150151) feather marks: right wing 14 to 15 left tail 2 to 3 rings: right red, left gold

ORTLER BG 439, female, born on 28th of February 2004 born at Centro de Cria Guadalentin (BG 124131132 x BG 041034035) feather marks: left wing 2 to 3; 13 to 14 rigth tail 3 to 4 rings: right red, left green

Transport of Culan and Ortler to the release site in the Martelltal of the Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio.

Photo: DANIEL HEGGLIN, Switzerland

* Stiftung Pro Bartgeier, 7530 Zernez & SWILD – urban ecology & wildlife research, Wuhrstr. 12, CH-8003 Zürich, Switzerland. [email protected] 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 33

2004 Release 31

Release in the Argentera-Mercantour site in 2004, and observations from the Argen- tera Nature Park

by Laura Martinelli * & Luca Giraudo *

In this year the PARCO NATURALE ALPI MARITTIME did a lot of work on the monitoring of the Bearded Vulture population, formed by immature, subadult and adult birds, and on the release of two new young birds. The year 2004 was important for the PARCO NATURALE ALPI MARITTIME, because it was the 10th year of release in Vallone della Barra, the site where the last eight young Bearded Vultures have been released. The ﬁeld work for the release went very well, without particularly problems. The birds, called Blangiàr (BG 433) and Palanfrè (BG 435), both coming from the Vienna Breeding Unit, arrived at San Giacomo on 15th of May and were monitored from this day on until the 15th of August, by the stuff coordinated by ROBERTO TOFFOLi.

BLANGIAR BG 433, male, born on 11th of February 2004 born at Vienna Breeding Unit (BG 108065040 xBG175152153) feather marks: left wing 4 to 5 left tail 2 to 3 rings: right red, left blue

PALANFRÉ BG 435, female, born on 17th of February 2004 born at Vienna Breeding Unit (BG 108065040 xBG175152153) feather marks: left wing 11 to 12; 21 to 23 rings: right red, left black

The two young birds developed well, which is shown as an example in FIGURE 1 & FIGURE 2 („total ﬂight time“) as well as in FIGURE 3 („choice of roost“). Blangiàr ﬂedged on 16th of June, at an age of 126 days, Palanfrè on 19th of June, with an age of 123 days. Blangiàr remained close to the release cave until 27th of July, while Palanfrè stayed in the surrounding until 8th of August. At the end of July Paolo Peila (BG 388; released at the same site in 2002) returned and stayed until the end of August. During the following weeks, Blangiàr was observed in Gesso Valley, in western direction in the valleys of Vermenagna and Roya and also in the East, in Tanaro Valley. At the end of this year it was detected in Maira Valley, North-West of the release site. In contrast, Palanfrè wasn’t observed anymore after the end of August.

* Parco Naturale Alpi Marittime, Piazza Regina Elena n. 30, I-12010 Valdieri, Italy. [email protected] 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 34

32 Release 2004

300 Figure 1. Cumulative ﬂight times for Blangiar, BG 433

250

200

150

100

350

300

250

200

150

100

Figure 2. Cumulative ﬂight times for Palanfré, BG 435

2,50

2,00

1,50 Blangiar Palanfrè Figure 3: 1,00

ROOST VALUATION : 0: bird sleeping in the release cave 0,50 1: access easy for a terrestrial predator 2: access difficult or very difficult for a terrestrial pre- 0,00 dator 3: bird not accessible for a terrestrial predator 4: birds not accessible for a terrestrial predator and protected against bad weather.

The monitoring in 2004, done by our Park rangers, other ornithologists and by the Osservatori Alpi Occidentali Netwok, resulted in 135 obervations, which were included into our database. At least 14 different bird could be detected: 4 adult birds 2 subadult Bearded Vultures 3 immature birds 5-9 marked young Bearded Vultures 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 35

2004 Release 33

The following young birds were identiﬁed: Guillaumes (BG 411180274, released in Mercantour in 2003) was observed from 24th of January to 6th of March in Stura Valley and on 4th of March in Pellice Valley. Jausiers (BG 413180274, released in Mercantour in 2003) was observed in Stura and Varaita Valley from 21st of January to 29th of March. Life (BG 402108175, released in Haute Savoie in 2002) was observed from 6th of February to 15th of February in Stura Valley and on 22nd of February in Susa Valley. Paolo Peila (BG 388017070, released in Argentera in 2002) was observed from 28th of January to 23rd of December in the Valleys of Gesso, Stura and Maira. Sadri (BG 415017070, released in Haute Savoie in 2003) was observed on 12th of May in Susa Val- ley and Blangiàr (BG 433) was observed in Gesso Valley, in the valleys of Vermenagna and Roya, in Tanaro Valley and in Maira Valley at the end of the year (see above).

The identiﬁcation of the other marked young birds was rather doubtful: Thuri (BG 424122118, released in Engadine in 2003). Transalpaete (BG 418199107, released in Haute Savoie in 2003). Alpidoc-Paolo Peila (BG 386199107 - BG 388017070, released in Argentera in 2002). Martell (BG 395122118, released in Martell Valley in 2002) Roure (BG 370086104, released in Mercantour in 2001).

The third field of work about the Bearded Vultures in Cuneo Province was focused on the monitoring of the wild population. During the past 4 to 5 years only a few birds were present on the „hot spots“, but on the wide territory at the same time. This monitoring work resulted in the identification of 3-4 adult, 2 subabdult and 2-3 immature vultures but, that attended the two „hot spots“ of Stura and Maira Valley. Another adult bird was observed from 21st of February to 7th of August in Gesso Valley, but was not seen during the last months. In the first site (Stura Valley), a pair was present from 1999 to 2000, but both adult birds weren´t the same during all the years and other, younger birds stayed close to them. In 2004, a trio was formed by two adult vultures and one immature bird (third winter of age), but during this time one adult disappeared (the harmony between the birds wasn’t very good anymore, in particular between the two adult partners). At the end of winter, another adult bird (maybe Val- dieri BG 268131132, released in Argentera in 1996) was present close to the pairs in another little valley, but could not be observed anymore in autumn 2004. In the last two months, the pair was formed by an adult male, perhaps Firmin (BG 229051049, released in Mercantour in 1995) and one subadult, now in its fourth winter, that seems to be a female. We were not able to identify this bird up to now. A number of copulations were observed and also nest building, and we are looking foreward to a possible brooding in 2005. In Maira Valley, one adult bird was present in the past winter, together with another immature, and we observed two birds (one adult male and one subadult female in her fourth winter) in the last week of 2004. A few copulations could be observed and perhaps they are going to build a nest. Also with respect to this pair, we are curious for the next brooding season. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 36

34 Release 2004

Name, number, sex, place of release, wing marks and ring colours between 1986 - 2004 Name Number Wing left Wing right Tail left Tail right Leg left Leg right Hans BG 084 - - - - silver red Fritz BG 088 - - - - black red Ellen BG 089 - - - - red red Winnie BG 091 ------Heinz BG 092 - - - - green - Melusine BG 093 ------Saturnin BG 094 - - - - green - Marie Paradis BG 095 - - - - green - Nina BG 096 ------Balthazar BG 099 - - - - - silver Alexa BG 100 - - - - - silver Melchior BG 101 - - - - - silver Ulli BG 102 - - - - - silver Paradatsch BG 106 - - - - - silver Karl BG 109 - - - - gold - Joey BG 110 - - - - gold - Assignat BG 111 - - - - gold - Colleen BG 112 - - - - gold - Danton BG 113 ------Robespierre BG 114 ------Marie-Antoinette BG 115 - - - - gold - Charlotte BG 116 - - - - gold - Baselisk BG 117 - - - - gold - Hubertus BG 121 ------Lotte BG 123 - - - - - black Yvan BG 126 - - - - - black Robin BG 127 - - - - - black Nicola BG 138 - - - - blue - Diana BG 139 - - - - blue - Averell BG 140 - - - - blue - Settschient BG 143 - - - - blue - Republic BG 144 ------Moische BG 146 - - - - blue - xxx BG 147 ------Margunet BG 149 - - - - blue - Republic 2 BG 165 - - - - - violett Republic 3 BG 166 - - - - - violett Bernhard BG 167 - - - - - violett Fulvio BG 168 - - - - - violett Jo BG 169 - - - - - violett Ivraina BG 170 - - - - - violett Republic 4 BG 181 - - - - pink - Republic 5 BG 182 ------Helmut BG 183 - - - - pink - CIC BG 186 - - - - pink - 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 37

2004 Release 35

Place of release Sex Remarks Date of birth Date of release Date of death Rauris, A m - 14 feb 86 25 may 86 - Rauris, A f - 17 feb 86 25 may 86 - Rauris, A f - 23 feb 86 25 may 86 - Rauris, A f recaptured 03 apr 86 06 jul 86 - Rauris, A m - 10 feb 87 16 may 87 - Haute-Savoie, F f dead 14 feb 87 25 may 87 30 jul 89 Haute-Savoie, F m - 19 feb 87 25 may 87 - Haute-Savoie, F f - 24 feb 87 25 may 87 - Rauris, A f dead 04 feb 87 16 may 87 01 aug 93 Haute-Savoie, F m - 17 feb 88 28 may 88 - Rauris, A f - 18 feb 88 01 may 88 - Haute-Savoie, F m - 23 feb 88 28 may 88 - Rauris, A m - 23 feb 88 01 may 88 - Rauris, A f - 03 apr 88 26 jun 88 - Rauris, A m? - 12 feb 89 17 may 89 - Rauris, A m - 12 feb 89 17 may 89 - Haute-Savoie, F f - 01 apr 89 11 jul 89 - Rauris, A f - 19 feb 89 17 may 89 - Haute-Savoie, F m dead 21 feb 89 01 jun 89 22 apr 96 Haute-Savoie, F m dead 22 feb 89 01 jun 89 01 nov 89 Haute-Savoie, F f - 27 feb 89 01 jun 89 - Haute-Savoie, F f - 25 mar 89 11 jul 89 - Rauris, A f - 30 mar 89 29 jun 89 - Rauris, A m recaptured 03 feb 90 24 may 90 - Rauris, A f - 20 feb 90 24 may 90 - Haute-Savoie, F f - 15 mar 90 01 jun 90 - Haute-Savoie, F f - 23 mar 90 01 jun 90 - Rauris, A f - 05 feb 91 17 may 91 - Rauris, A f - 12 feb 91 17 may 91 - Haute-Savoie, A m - 23 feb 91 07 jun 91 - Engadine, CH m - 28 feb 91 05 jun 91 - Haute-Savoie, F ? dead 05 mar 91 07 jun 91 10 jul 97 Engadine, CH f - 13 mar 91 03 jun 91 - Haute-Savoie, F ? dead 18 mar 91 07 jun 91 23 jun 91 Engadine, CH m - 28 feb 91 03 jun 91 - Haute-Savoie, F ? - 13 feb 92 27 may 92 - Haute-Savoie, F m - 21 feb 92 27 may 92 - Rauris, A m - 29 feb 92 31 may 92 - Rauris, A m - 22 feb 92 31 may 92 - Engadine, A f - 09 mar 92 04 jun 92 - Engadine, A f - 09 mar 92 04 jun 92 - Haute-Savoie, F f - 06 feb 93 18 may 93 - Haute-Savoie, F f dead 14 feb 93 18 may 93 04 nov 97 Rauris, A m - 20 feb 93 30 may 93 - Engadine, CH m - 02 mar 93 04 jun 93 - 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 38

36 Release 2004

Name Number Wing left Wing right Tail left Tail right Leg left Leg right Winfried BG 191 - - - - pink - Felix BG 193 ------Argentera BG 195 - - - - pink - Mounier BG 196 ------Florent BG 197 - - - - pink - Hans Rupert BG 208 - - - - light violet red Pisoc BG 210 - - - - gold red Mercantour BG 213 - - - - blue red Jackpot 1 BG 214 ------Topolino BG 215 - - - - black red Republic 6 BG 216 - - - - brown red Republic 7 BG 219 ------Valimosch BG 220 - - - - green red Geo BG 227 ------Firmin BG 229 - - - - black silver Republic 8 BG 258 - - - - copper green Republic 9 BG 259 - - - - red green Andreas Hofer BG 260 - - - - violett green Marga BG 261 - - - - grey green Berna BG 263 - - - - gold green Mauritio BG 264 - - - - black green Entraque BG 266 - - - - blue green Valdieri BG 268 - - - - black green Pelat BG 275 - - - - blue dark-copper Gelas BG 279 - - - - black dark-copper Tell BG 283 - - - - green dark-copper Sina BG 285 - - - - gold dark-copper Phénix BGW 01 ------Republic 11 BG 288 - - - - copper silver Crystal BG 289 - - - - red silver Daniel BG 291 - - - violet silver Jackpot 3 BG 296 - - - - silver silver Gildo BG 299 - - - - gold silver Diana Valais BG 301 - - - - green silver Aisone BG 304 - - - - blue silver Vernante BG 305 - - - - black silver Stelvio BGW 02 ------Dominique BGW 03 ------Roubion BG 311 - - - - blue gold Péone BG 312 - - - - black gold Zonta BG 316 - - - - violet gold Veronika BG 321 - - - - green gold Sempach BG 323 - - - - gold gold Keno BG 329 ------Republic 13 BG 335 - - - - copper gold 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 39

2004 Release 37

Place of release Sex Remarks Date of birth Date of release Date of death Rauris, A m - 07 mar 93 30 may 93 - Engadine, CH m dead 09 mar 93 04 jun 93 23 mar 94 Mercantour, F f - 21 mar 93 28 jun 93 - Mercantour, F f dead 22 mar 93 28 jun 93 11 mar 00 Mercantour, F m - 28 mar 93 28 jun 93 - Rauris, A f - 18 feb 94 14 may 94 - Engadine, CH m - 03 mar 94 09 jun 94 - Argentera, I f - 11 mar 94 14 jun 94 - Rauris, A f dead 15 feb 94 14 may 94 22 may 95 Argentera, I m - 14 mar 94 14 jun 94 - Haute-Savoie, F f - 20 mar 94 25 jun 94 - Haute-Savoie, F m dead 28 mar 94 25 jun 94 07 jul 94 Engadine, CH m - 27 feb 94 09 jun 94 - Mercantour, F f recaptured 16 feb 95 01 jun 95 - Mercantour, F m - 01 mar 95 01 jun 95 - Haute-Savoie, F f - 04 feb 96 12 may 96 - Haute-Savoie, F ? - 24 feb 96 12 may 96 - Rauris, A m - 26 feb 96 27 may 96 - Rauris, A f - 29 feb 96 27 may 96 - Engadine, CH m - 04 mar 96 07 jun 96 - Engadine, CH ? - 08 mar 96 07 jun 96 - Argentera, I m - 17 mar 96 15 jun 96 - Argentera, I f - 20 mar 96 15 jun 96 - Mercantour, F m - 12 feb 97 22 may 97 - Mercantour, F f - 04 mar 97 22 may 97 - Engadine, CH m - 18 mar 97 20 jun 97 - Engadine, CH f - 24 mar 97 20 jun 97 - Le Reposoir, F m wild 12 apr 97 05 aug 97 * - Haute-Savoie, F f - 28 feb 98 20 may 98 - Haute-Savoie, F f - 24 feb 98 20 may 98 - Rauris, A m - 02 mar 98 02 jun 98 - Rauris,A m - 23 feb 98 02 jun 98 - Engadin, CH f - 13 mar 98 04 jun 98 - Engadin, CH m - 13 mar 98 04 jun 98 - Argentera, I m - 18 mar 98 20 jun 98 - Argentera, I m - 26 mar 98 20 jun 98 - Bormio, I ? wild 08 apr 98 18 jul 98 * - Le Reposoir, F ? wild 19 apr 98 13 aug 98 * - Mercantour, F m - 05 feb 99 11 may 99 - Mercantour, F f - 11 feb 99 11 may 99 - Rauris, A f - 19 feb 99 27 may 99 - Engadin, CH f - 22 feb 99 02 jun 99 - Engadin, CH f - 27 feb 99 02 jun 99 - Rauris, A f recaptured 07 mar 99 27 may 99 - Haute-Savoie, F m - 19 mar 99 29 jun 99 -

* the date of release for the wild born birds means the date of ﬂedging 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 40

38 Release 2004

Name Number Wing left Wing right Tail left Tail right Leg left Leg right Doran BG 339 - - - - red gold Rhonealp BGW 05 ------Sereno BG 348 - - - - blue blue Ciabri BG 349 - - - - black blue Bingo BG 350 - - - - violet blue Interreg BG 354 - - - - pink blue Georg BG 355 - - - - silver blue Rätia BG 357 - - - - - blue Pablo BG 359 - - - - copper blue Montblanc BG 361 - - - - red blue Christelle BG 363 - - - - gold blue Louis BG 364 - - - - green blue Reposoir BGW 06 ------Diana Stelvio BGW 07 ------Livigno BGW 08 ------Larche BG 369 - - - - blue pink Roure BG 370 - - - - black pink El Dorado BG 372 - - - - violet pink Christa BG 373 - - - - silver pink Roseg BG 374 - - - - gold pink Felice BG 375 - - - - green pink EuropaLife BG 377 - - - - copper pink Natura mate BG 380 - - - - red pink Stelvio 01 BGW 09 ------Alpidoc BG 386 - 2-3; 19-21 2-3 - blue black Franz BG 387 3-4 21-23 3-4 - violet black Paolo Peila BG 388 2-3 3-4; 20-21 - - black black Ambo BG 392 - 12-14; 21-23 2-3 - silver black Stift BG 393 - 3-4; 10-11 - 1-2 gold black Martell BG 395 3-4; 20-21 14-16 - - green black Life BG 402 20-22 - 2-3 - copper black Aravis BG 405 4-5; 14-15 - - 2-3 red black Moische- BGW 11 ------Livigno Zebru BGW 12 ------Beverin- BGW 13 ------Stelvio Arpont BGW 14 ------Free-Ride BGW 16 ------Guillaumes BG 411 3-4 - - - gold violet Jausiers BG 413 - 2-3; 23-25 - 3-4 green violet Sadri BG 415 23-24 - - - copper violet Transalpae- BG 418 5-6 20-21 - 2-3 red violet Joker BG 420 4-5; 20-21 - - - violet violet 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 41

2004 Release 39

Place of release Sex Remarks Date of birth Date of release Date of death Haute-Savoie, F m - 02 apr 99 29 jun 99 - Le Reposoir, F ? wild 16 apr 99 08 aug 99 * - Argentera, I m - 03 feb 00 13 may 00 - Argentera, I f - 07 feb 00 13 may 00 - Mallnitz, A f - 13 feb 00 25 may 00 - Martell, I m - 28 feb 00 03 jun 00 - Mallnitz, A m - 18 feb 00 25 may 00 - Martell, I f - 03 mar 00 03 jun 00 - Haute-Savoie, F m - 04 mar 00 14 jun 00 - Haute-Savoie, F m - 12 mar 00 14 jun 00 - Engadine, CH f - 23 mar 00 04 jul 00 - Engadine, CH m - 12 mar 00 04 jul 00 - Le Reposoir, F ? wild 01 apr 00 26 jul 00 * - Bormio, I ? wild 16 mar 00 21 jul 00 * - Bormio, I ? wild 30 mar 00 28 jul 00 * - Mercantour, F m - 05 feb 01 15 may 01 - Mercantour, F f - 16 feb 01 15 may 01 - Gschlöß, A f - 18 feb 01 23 may 01 - Gschlöß, A f - 21 feb 01 23 may 01 - Engadine, CH m - 23 feb 01 07 jun 01 - Engadine, CH f - 02 mar 01 07 jun 01 - Haute-Savoie, F m dead 10 mar 01 15 jun 01 2nd jul 01 Haute-Savoie, F ? - 13 mar 01 15 jun 01 - Bormio, I ? wild 06 apr 01 - - Argentera, I f - 17 Feb 02 18 may 02 - Gastein, A m - 26 feb 02 31 may 02 - Argentera, A m - 21 feb 02 18 may 02 - Gastein, A f - 27 feb 02 31 may 02 - Martell, I f - 02 mar 02 01 jun 02 - Martell, I f - 08 mar 02 01 jun 02 - Haute-Savoie, F m - 07 apr 02 10 jul 02 - Haute-Savoie, F m - 16 apr 02 10 jul 02 - Livigno, I ? wild 24 mar 02 15 jul 02 * -

Zebru, I ? wild 17-20 mar 02 09 jul 02 * - Bormio, I ? wild 21-25 mar 02 07 jul 02 * -

Termigno, F ? wild 01 apr 02 ? - Val d´Isere, F ? wild 01 mar 02 ? - Mercantour, F f - 17 feb 03 23 may 03 - Mercantour, F f - 23 feb 03 23 may 03 - Haute-Savoie, F f - 25 feb 03 02 jun 03 - Haute-Savoie, F f - 04 mar 03 02 jun 03 - Mallnitz, A f - 05 mar 03 06 jun 03 -

* the date of release for the wild born birds means the date of ﬂedging 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 42

40 Release 2004

Name Number Wing left Wing right Tail left Tail right Leg left Leg right Kasati BG 422 24-25 12-13 2-3 - silver violet Thuri BG 424 21-23 5-6 - - blue violet Regina- BGW 17 ------Livigno Cross- BGW 18 ------Border - BGW 19 ------BGW 20 ------Blangiar BG 433 4-5 - 2-3 - blue red Palanfré BG 435 11-12; 21-23 - - - black red Culan BG 438 - 14-15 2-3 - gold red Ortler BG 439 2-3; 13-14 - - 3-4 green red Gilbert BG 440 - 2-3;12-13; 2-3 - copper red 21-22 Bella Cha BG 441 3-4 5-6 3-4 - red red Toto BG 444 - 4-5; 16-17 - - violet red Hubertus 2 BG 446 - 4-6 1-5 - silver red Pelvio BGW 21 ------Silva-Zebru BGW 22 ------Tommy - BGW 23 ------Livigno Gerry - BGW 24 ------Stelvio Morsulaz BGW 25 ------

BG 388 BG 392 BG 395

BG 386 BG 387 BG 393

BG 405 BG 413 BG 418

BG 402 BG 411 BG 415

View from below! 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 43

2004 Release 41

Place of release Sex Remarks Date of birth Date of release * Date of death Mallnitz, A m - 08 mar 03 06 jun 03 - Engadine, CH f - 07 mar 03 07 jun 03 - Dardaligno ? wild 28 mar 03 22 jul 03 -

Val d´Isere ? wild 30 mar 03 28 jul 03 -

Bargy ? wild 04 apr 03 - 24th apr 03 Zebru ? wild 29 mar 03 - 28th apr 03 Argentera, I m - 11 feb 04 15 may 04 - Argentera, I f - 17 feb 04 15 may 04 - Martell, I m - 28 feb 04 05 jun 04 - Martell, I f - 28 feb 04 05 jun 04 - Doran, F f - 04 mar 04 02 jun 04 -

Doran, F f - 04 mar 04 02 jun 04 - Kals, A m recaptured 30 mar 04 02 jul 04 - Kals, A m - 04 apr 04 02 jul 04 - Termignon ? wild 02/03 mar 04 01 jul 04 Zebru ? wild 14/15 mar 04 05/06 jul 04 Livigno ? wild 28 mar 04 22 jul 04 -

Bormio ? wild 15/17 mar 04 10/12 jul 04 -

Bargy ? wild 05 apr 04 31 jul 04

BG 422 BG 435

BG 420 BG 424 BG 433

BG 439 BG 441 BG 446

BG 438 BG 440

Individual marks of Bearded Vultures 2002 - 2004

* the date of release for the wild born birds means the date of ﬂedging 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 44

42 Monitoring 2004

Bearded Vulture Monitoring in Engadine, Switzerland in 2004

by David Jenny *

As in the last two years, all three pairs of Nationalpark Stilfserjoch reared one offspring each. A total of 11 young ﬂedged from these parent-birds, which mostly were released in NP Engadine, Switzer- land (PAIR LIVIGNO four, PAIR BORMIO ﬁve, PAIR ZEBRU two).

PAIR SINESTRA was present in 2004, but the partners of this pair did not stay continuously together. In the course of summer, a new Swiss pair formed in Val Foraz within the boarders of Swiss Natio- nal Park.

Methods In the course of 2004, 113 observations were made within 201 observation hours. The hot spots of observations were Val Sinestra (71 hrs), Livigno (33 hrs), Bormio (18 hrs), Foraz (21 hrs) and Zebru (11 hrs). During the winter months, more observation time was spent in the middle Engadine (10 hrs) and in surrounding areas (39 hrs).

As in former years the brood of Livigno was watched by employees of CORPO FORESTALE DI LEVIG- NO AND BRAULIO and rangers of the SWISS NATIONALPARK. The observation time covered middle of February to beginning of April. The survey of the eyries of Bormio and Zebru was done selectively by staff of Corpo Forestale di Bormio.

Observations, made by ordinary people, were collected in the CENTRE OF SWISS NATIONAL PARK (NATIONALPARKHAUS) and were used for pointed searches for new pairs and gave a good indication where singular birds stayed during the winter months. These "third hand" observations were added to the observations of the author. The name of the observer is given in the text. The photos were made by the author, only a few of them by other people. Their names too are given in the text. In addition to checks of the eyries in Livigno, Valle del Braulio and Valle dello Zebru, which were undertaken by employees of the Stilfserjoch Nationalpark, the author too checked on them. After ﬂedging of the young birds, the eyries of Pair Livigno and the area below the roosts (Pair Sine- stra) were checked for prey remains and moulted feathers. The latter were sent to BARBARA GAUT- SCHI for analysis. R. REINALTER (Brail) added one feather, found near La Serra (Zernez) for examinations.

Results Winter 2003/2004 Winter 2003/2004 accorded to the usual mean values (with respect to the amount of snow). But the mean temperature values (December to February) were much lower than the values of the past three years (-7.2°C vs. -2.3°C). Thus, the higher altitudes were much later free of snow. Snow mel- ted not earlier than at the end of April in the bottom parts of valleys (airport Samedan, Swiss Mete- rological Centre). The numbers of carcasses was lower than the past year, a high appearance of immature Golden Eagles and Bearded Vultures was not observed (as in the extreme winter 2000/2001; see Annual Report 2002, p. 42).

REGION ZERNEZ - OVA SPIN: There were no signs of pair formation. A higher number of observations in the area of Spöl may be caused by deposed carcasses (G. DENOTH and D. CLAVUOT). In the course of winter (and until May), Martell (BG 395, released 2002) stayed in the area of Ova Spin - Zernez. On 14th January, Martell was observed near Ova - Spin, together with one unmarked, immature bird. In February, an additional adult Bearded Vulture was seen several times near La Serra, also together with Martell. Game warden G. DENOTH observed Martell and one adult bird,

* Suot Aquadotas, CH-7524 Zuoz, Schweiz, [email protected] 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 45

2004 Monitoring 43

Photo: DAVID JENNY, Switzerland which approached him and his two dogs in the middle of February. In the course of this event, Martell landed only 10m beside Mr. DENOTH. On 13th and 14th of February, one adult bird passed the street of Ofenpass. The identiﬁcation of this bird is still not clear. R. REINALTER found one moulted left primary which belonged to Martell (analysis of B. GAUTSCHI). On 4th of April, two immature birds ﬂew above Sursassa/Zernez: Martell and one unmarked vulture. They continuously attacked two immature Golden Eagles. On 18th, 22nd and 23rd of May, Martell was observed feeding on a carcass near Lavinars and in Val Bardi (G. DENOTH).

Rather few winter observations were made in MIDDLE ENGADI- NE. A. Á PORTA reported about one adult bird from Val Trup- chun on 5th of January. On 14th of March, two Bearded Vul- tures of unknown age flew above Cinuos-chel in the front of Val Susauna (S. LUZI). On 28th of March, one unmarked immature bird landed at Piz dÚrezza (above Punt Nova) and a second, approx. 3 year old bird circled at Munt Blais at the front of Val Trupchun. On 14th of April, one immature bird was attacked by the Golden Eagle pair Chamuera in front of their Unidentified adult bird at the Ofenpass street, nest rock. On 25th of April, three Bearded Vultures were 13th February 2004 observed above Griatschouls (G. BLUMENTHAL). On 27th of April, one Bearded Vulture of unknown age landed close to a Golden Eagle at Piz Vaüglia/Val Trupchun.

UPPER ENGADINE: as in 2003, N. AMITZBOELL (Denmark) again reported about one marked immature Bearded Vulture ﬂying in Val Forno: probably Martell, ﬂying at Piz Aela on 2nd of February. In the course of this day, this bird was also seen above Punt Muragl. On 12th of April, one adult Bearded Vulture left the valley between Plaun da Lej and Sils. Martell, BG 395, near the mountain station of Alp Trida LOWER ENGADINE: game warden E. JENAL reported from Samnaun:"In the course of the winter months (until May) one Bearded Vulture was regularly seen near the mountain station of Alp Trida. It fed on deposed meat". This bird turned out to be Martell.

AREA BERGÜN: At the beginning of March, two Bearded Vul- tures were observed at Piz Darlux (Bergün). The age of these birds could not be determined (M. RAFFEL). On 23rd of April, three Bearded Vultures could be watched at Piz Aela (W. HIRT).

PAIR LIVIGNO Also in 2004, PAIR LIVIGNO bred successfully in the eyrie Dardaligno. It was the fourth offspring of this pair. The centre of activity near Dardaligno at the left shore of the lake remained unchanged. Only the presence of the pair during the day was diminished when compared to past years. As in former years, a heated observation hut was established near the grit utility below Dardaligno as from February. The monitoring of the eyrie, done by Corpo Forestale di Photo: UNKNOWN PHOTOGRAPHER, Germany Livigno and wardens of Swiss National Park, lasted until beginning of April. On 11th of January (rather late), eyrie Dardaligno was seen to be newly enlarged for the ﬁrst time. On this day, the pair ﬂew south of the core area of its territory and disappeared near il Motto. On 28th of January, both partners of the pair approached the eyrie and stayed there for 12 minutes and worked on the nest. Later, they left and disappeared to the south. Egg laying obviously was immi- 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 46

44 Monitoring 2004

nent. On the next day (29th of January), CH. BUCHLI reported: "Moische was sitting in the eyrie for the whole day (observed by park warden R. SCHÖPF). Therefore it was assumed that Pair Livigno

started to brood in the night from 28th to 29th of January Photo: DAVID JENNY, Switzerland 2004. A "normal" course of brooding was observed during the next weeks: checks were done by the author on 11th of February ("Moische brooding at 8:30"); on 13th of February ("relief at 12:00, Moische continued brooding until at least 14:00"); on 26th of February ("one relief at 12:20, CIC stayed until 16:05, afterwards Moische until at least 16:15. One unmarked, immature Bearded Vultu- re flew above the nest rock and crossed Lake Livigno towards Alpisella"). On 24th of March, CIC was seen fighting three Golden Eagles (two adult and 1 immature; H. ANGERER) and ravens in the area of the eyrie, while Moische continued brooding. At 15:00, CIC was brooding, Moische approa- Moische, BG 146, on 24th of March 2004 ched from southern direction, turned in the most bottom part of Dardaligno, soared close to the main road towards the grit plant and landed in a distance of 20m beside the author. Short time later, she left, turned and landed again on this spot. After taking off, the plumage of the ventral side was newly coloured (wet and still sticky dark-red feathers). After- wards Moische approached the eyrie and replaced CIC on the clutch. No hatching was confirmed on this day. On 26th of March, three employees of the Corpo forestale di Livigno (CFL) observed feeding movements by the parent birds for the first time. Feeding of a nestling was also observed on 27th and 28th of March (A. RICCI). So, the nestling obviously has hatched on 25th of March. During the nestling period, two checks were made: on 6th of April (Moische warmed the nestling) and on 18th of May (both adult birds roosted at rocks near the eyrie. Later, Moische approached the nest with nesting material and fed the young). R. SCHÖPF and H. ANGERER:" the young bird was seen several short times at the edge of the eyrie. On 16th of May, one raven flew into the nest and left it without being noticed nearby roosting parents. Close to Le Capré bones were broken." On 3rd and 16th of June, R. SCHÖPF reported about normal course of the nestling phase (approaches with food by the parents, feeding of the nestling, young bird rather big). First training of wings by the nearly grown up nestling was observed on 17th of June. On 4th of July, the young bird was seen allopreening for a longer period as well as flapping strongly its wings at the edge of the nest. The fledging was expected to happen soon but needed a few further days. On 13th of July, Ch. BUCHLI observed both adults flying together with an unmarked immature above Dardaligno. On 15th of July, H. ANGERER observed one adult bird breaking a bone and approaching the eyrie with a piece of it. In the morning of 22nd of July, the young was fed by one parent in the eyrie. In the evening, it had fledged. DATE OF FLEDGING: 22nd of July 2005. On 10th of August, the author climbed to the eyrie, to check for food remains and moulted feathers. CIC approached the author up to 20m. Moische landed at a rock face near Dardaligno and started to feed. The young Tommy-Livigno (BGW 23) soared in the upper Dardaligno, begged and landed close to Moische in the rock face. While the young bird fed, Moische and CIC soared Photo: DAVID JENNY, Switzerland above the lake and disappeared in south-east direction. On 11th of September, the young bird was seen in Val Trupchun (Switzerland), on 10th of September maybe together with Martell (A. Á. PORTA). In the evening of 12th of December, CIC approached the eyrie, which seemed to be newly enlarged. CIC worked in the nest and finally roosted close to the nesting site. CIC, BG 186, on 10th of August 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 47

2004 Monitoring 45

Brooding data of PAIR LIVIGNO in 2004 Clutch 29th of January 2004 Hatching 25th of March 2004 (56 days) Fledging 22nd of July 2004 (119 days)

PAIR BORMIO This pair selected eyrie Palone a second time in a row and, in contrast to 2003, it was successful in 2004. Thus, ﬁve offspring were successfully reared by this pair (similar to PAIR BARGY in Haute Savoie, France). It was the second, ﬂedged young in eyrie "Palone". Feather analysis, done by BAR- BARA GAUTSCHI, point to a shift of partners, obviously the male changed in the course of 2002/03 - Margunet (BG 149, released in Engadine in 1991) was determined as male partner of PAIR SINE- STRA in summer 2004.

Two brooding birds were observed soaring around until 28th of January (A. RICCI), afterwards only one (estimated BEGINNING OF BROODING, based on observations of A. RICCI: 21st January 2004).

On 20th and 25th of February, employees of the Nationalpark (F. GROSSI/F. RASTELLI) observed ravens, which ﬂew in and out of the Bearded Vulture nest. They were present until March. At this point of time it was not clear if the eyrie was occupied. Only on 17th/18th of occupation of the eyrie and feeding of an offspring was observed (estimated HATCHING DATE: 17th of March 2004). One check on 6th of April proved the existence of one young: one adult bird warmed an offspring in the enlarged nest. In front of the eyrie, ravens chased one adult Golden Eagle, which did not cause any reaction of the brooding bird. At 10:00 one relief could be observed: the male landed, and Jo (BG 169, released in Engadien in 1992) left. The male started to feed the young. Later, one remarkable observation was made. Quote from the notebook: "The same Bearded Vulture (male) again landed in the nest, he stands left of the eyrie and looks down. At 10:37, he walks on a grass shelf left of the nesting platform, carrying some tiny thing, small, grey, which dangles from the beak - looks like a dead nestling. It is deposed left of the nest. Then he returns to the eyrie and starts to manipulated something with bowed head (feeding his offspring). 10:45 returns to the spot on the grass shelf and starts working on the little carcass. He feeds on a few pieces. After 3 minutes, he takes a tiny piece (of bone?), walks back to the nest-platform, disappears behind (feeding?). After 1 minu- te, he appears, walks to the front and stands there for a few minutes. At 10:55, he walks to the back- side and disappears behind the platform. The top of his head can be seen moving at times (feeding). At 11:09 he returns to the spot where he had deposed the carcass of the nestling and starts intensely to pluck. He plucks off bunches of feathers (clusters of grey dunes ﬂy clearly visible away in the wind). After 2 minutes of manipulating the carcass, he returns to the nest where he concen- trates on feeding the young (assumption: dead offspring was fed to the surviving one). The feeding continues until 11:32 with a few short interruptions." The carcass of the nestling presumably was the second offspring.

On 17th of May, A. RICCI observed the male Bearded Vulture feeding the young bird:"a number of ravens was present close to the nest but no ﬁghts were observed".

On 16th of June, R. SCHÖPF saw the young standing at the edge of the nest. Mr. SCHÖPF had the impression "that the young was bigger than that of Livigno". The exact fledging date can only estimated, as the fledgling used to return to the nest for a few times. Ch. BUCHLI found "an empty eyrie" on 13th of July. Also M. AZZOLINI reported an empty nest on 16th of July. On 19th of July, A. PIRO- VANO observed the young bird (Gerry-Stelvio, BGW 24) standing in the nest for more than 2 hours. On 20th of July, the authour observed no occupation of the nest. The young bird flew very skilful high and elegant above the nest rock, below the circling parents. Later, Jo landed on a rock, carrying a bone and started to feed. She rose with the bone, broke it and landed again with the bone on a rock. The young bird landed beside Jo and started to beg (opening and closing of the beak). At early afternoon, the young vulture approached the nest and laid down to roost. After 2.5 hours, the young bird left. In the morning of 21st of July, the eyrie was empty (obviously the young had not spent the night in the nest), in the evening it again stayed in the eyrie.

ESTIMATED DATE OF FLEDGING: approx. 10th of July 2004. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 48

46 Monitoring 2004

In the course of October, one marked Bearded Photo: DAVID JENNY, Switzerland Vulture was observed by Nationalpark wardens in Valle dell Braulio: it was Ortler (BG 439; this observation correlated with telemetry data of DANIEL HEGGLIN). On 20th of December, Nationalpark ranger A. PIROVANO, observed copulations of the pair.

Jo, BG 169, on 20th of July

Brooding data of PAIR BORMIO in 2004 Clutch 21st of January 2004 Hatching 15th to 17th of March 2004 (54 - 56 days) Fledging 10th to 12th of July 2004 (115 - 119 days)

PAIR ZEBRU After the abandonment of brooding in 2003, the pair of Valle dello Zebru reared its second young in 2004. Although ravens brooded rather close to the Bearded Vultures, the brooding and rearing of the young bird happened without any interruptions and accidents. On 27th of January, wardens of the Nationalpark detected a brooding bird in an old eyrie of Golden Eagles (eyrie Val Corta). ESTIMATED DATE OF EGG LAYING: 20th to 27th of January (A. RICCI). As in 2003, a selective survey was organised by National Park wardens at the office of the Natio- nal Park near Zebru di fiori. On 15th of March, feeding of one offspring was observed (the hatching may have occurred a few days earlier: 13th to 15th of March). On 6th of April, the female was observed warming the nestling without interruptions for at least three hours. She too fed an (unseen) young twice (10 minutes duration for each feeding). Twice, the male landed close to the nest and showed extensive comfort behaviour. The eyrie of ravens, seven metres above the Bearded Vulture nest, was occupied as in 2003. Twice, one raven flew close above the heads of the Bearded Vultures causing no reaction of the larger birds. As from end of April, one young could be observed by the National Park wardens. The observation of regularly feedings of the young pointed to a normal development. The successful raven brood above the Bearded Vulture eyrie had no bad influence (in contrast to 2003).

On 21st of May, the young bird was observed feeding (A.RICCI) and it seemed to be bigger than the nestlings of PAIR BORMIO and PAIR LIVIGNO. Both adult birds were seen at the nest on this day.

Similar to PAIR BORMIO, it is difficult to tell the exact date of fledging, as also this young tended to return to its nest several times after fledging. On 13th of July, three Bearded Vulture flew close to the nest site area: one unmarked immature, one adult and the young. All three landed near the nest (Ch. BUCHLI). National Park warden S. ZALA observed the young vulture already flying on 6th of July. Fledging may have happened short time before: 5th to 6th of July (A. RICCI). At 21st of July, the author climbed the opposing rock slope, while the pair, together with the young bird Silva-Zebru (BGW 22) flew around. All three landed at a rock below Monte Cristallo. The young bird begged intensely while flying and seemed to be very skilful with respect to maneuvering. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 49

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Photo: DAVID JENNY, Switzerland End of December, both adult birds were seen near the eyrie by Nationalpark wardens (A. RICCI). A. PIROVANO observed the pair on a different Golden Eagle eyrie, which points to another possible brooding in 2005.

Silva-Zebru, BGW 22, on 21st of July

Brooding data of PAIR ZEBRU in 2004 Clutch 20th to 27th of January 2004 Hatching 14th to 15th of March 2004 (47 - 55 days) Fledging 5th to 6th of July 2004 (112 - 114 days)

PAIR SINESTRA As in the past two years, PAIR SINESTRA was not continuously present in its territory. During the first half of 2004, both Bearded Vultures (Retia, BG 357, released in Martell Valley in 2000) and one unknown adult bird (Margunet, BG 149, released in Engadine in 1991; determined by feather analysis) were observed in the core area and close to the eyrie of the past year on an irregular basis. During autumn, only one of both birds could be observed definitely. On 4th of January, one adult circled above herds of ibex during the whole day. Close to the timber line fierce chases between the vulture and two ravens were seen. In the evening, the bird landed on a rock shelf close to the eyrie and fed for a longer period. On 17th of January, the younger Retia was also observed circling around.

On 8th February, three Bearded Vultures were observed by CH. MISCHOL. On 15th of February, Mar- tell, BG 395, flew high above one of the mountain peaks. During February and March, the number of observations declined (not one bird observed during full- time checks on 8th of February and 9th of March). Both birds were observed again on 13th of April. The older one was seen drinking in a gorge, and Retia was observed flying very low. On 24th of April, the adult bird fed. On 19th of May, the adult vulture had a conflict with an immature Golden Eagle: both birds chased each other without real attacks. Both vultures stood side by side at the "middle roost" while it was raining on 12th of June. As from July, it was nearly impossible anymore to distinguish both birds from each other as also Retia had moulted to adult plumage. On 11th of July, one of the birds sat in the eyrie and preened its plumage. On 9th of August, not one bird was observed. On 29th of August, the author observed both birds for the last time together: they followed each other, coming from western direction towards the core area of the territory. Later, one unmarked immature bird appeared far in the north close to the Aus- trian border. No observations were made during September (not one single sighting during a full time check on 19th of September). 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 50

48 Monitoring 2004

On 4th of October, the adult bird was observed soaring by P. MOLLET. On 13th of October, one of the birds circled, while the author checked the bottom of the roosting rock ("middle roost") for moulted feathers. In November (one full time check on 14th of November) and December (full time check on 4th of December), not one observation was made by the author, but one of the birds was seen on 14th of November (G. BROSI: landing below Mont da Luf; high presence of ravens) and on 8th of Decem- ber (Ch. MICHAEL: one adult bird at Piz Ot). The number of observations from Val Sinestra (three) is still decreasing. Two reasons make a brooding unlikely: - the female bird Retia, identiﬁed in 2003, is still too young for brooding (4.5 years). - the actual presence of both birds in the area is uncertain, evidences for pair bonding are missing since summer 2004.

Feather analysis Five feathers were found below the "middle roost" on 13th of October. Three of them are from Retia (female, BG 357, released in Martell Valley, Italy in 2000) and two to an adult male, which was con- ﬁrmed as partner of PAIR BORMIO from 1998 to 2001 - most probably Margunet (male, BG 149, released in Engadine in 1991), which is characterized by a continuous collar.

PAIR FORAZ In the course of spring 2004, the number of observations of Bearded Vultures increased in the area of Val S-charl. Most of the time, one adult and/or one still immature bird were seen. In August, fishery inspector R. GRITTI observed nesting activities for the first time in Val Foraz. Later, it became clear that a new pair had formed, but with one still immature partner. The newly built nest was situated in a rock cave, which was used by Golden Eagles years ago (H. HALLER). On 24th of April, one unmarked immature Bearded Vulture chased an immature Golden Eagle above Mot San Jon in front of Val S-charl. In the course of May, the number of observations of Bearded Vultures increased distinctively. On 2nd of May, two Bearded Vultures flew at Piz Lischana and disappeared into Val Sesvanna (one immature and one bird of undetermined age). On 21st of May, two Bearded Vultures were observed by Ch. MICHAEL (1 adult, 1 immature), which had a fierce fight with an immature Golden Eagle. On 23rd of May, one adult bird flew above Sur il Foss and disappeared in Val Foraz. On 24th of May, one immature Bearded Vulture was observed together with two adult Golden Eagles flying from S-charl towards Tamangur.

The crucial observation was made by R. GRITTI on 13th and 15th of August: at 11:00, one adult bird came from Grat Tavrü/Foraz and ﬂew in and out in Val Foraz, carrying a branch (13th of August). The bird approached a cave at the left side of the valley at least 5 times, entered and started to work on the nest. Later, the Bearded Vulture approached Mr. GRITTI (with dog) up to a distance of 100m. On 15th of August, Mr. GRITTI observed the same adult bird approaching the cave at least 4 times and entering the eyrie with nesting material. The bird stayed there working for 1.5 hrs. Later, it landed at a road close to the eyrie. Mr. GRITTI always observed only one bird. On 25th of August, one immature Bearded Vulture (black head, 3 years old), close to the ground above the nest rock in Val Foraz close to a herd of deer. The bird disappeared in Val Minger. The eyrie, which was detected by R. GRITTI, seemed to be newly enlarged. On 26th of August, National Park warden C. FLORINETH reported one immature Bearded Vulture, which was present on a regular basis in the area of S-charl. On 31st of August, one adult bird was observed feeding on the carcass of a chamois close to Sur il Foss (R. HALLER, Swiss National Park). Later, one immature bird ﬂew north of Piz Foraz together with Golden Eagles.

On 7th of September, Ch. MICHAEL observed a ﬁght of one Bearded Vulture and one Golden Eagle in Val Tavrü. On 9th of September, two wanderers observed both birds in Val Foraz, one of them was adult for sure (R. BAI). On 18th of September, both birds were seen with nesting activities for at least 2 hrs. Both birds carried nesting material to the eyrie, sat side by side in the cave and billed. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 51

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Later, the immature bird fed on some food close to the eyrie for a longer period. Both birds were seen braking bones. On the next day, the author could not watch one single bird in the same area. On 21st of September, tourists observed three Bearded Vultures near Alp Atsras/Tamangur (V. GOSTELI). In the evening of 23rd of October, both birds flew at the East Side of Piz Minger/Piz dals Cotschens and fiercely chased and attacked an immature Golden Eagle. Afterwards, they approached a roost, which showed traces of faeces. The roost is situated in an East exposed rock close to Sur il Foss. On 7th of November, the adult bird "paddled" in the below part of Val Foraz in snow flurry and disappeared in the area of the nest rock.

C. FLORINETH observed both birds ﬂying at Mot Madlain above S-charl on 11th and 12th of Decem- ber. On 21st of December, he again observed the immature partner leaving the valley. In the course of December, one to two Bearded Vultures were repeatedly seen by wardens of the National Park in the area Margunet - Ofenpass (A. á. Porta). It is presumed that these birds were partners of the pair. Activities at the nest site as well as obvious signs of pair bonding point to a new pair. The identiﬁ- cation of the vultures was not possible up to now. Only if once rings will be seen or moulted feathers can be collected and analysed, we will know which vultures form the pair. Not even useful photos could be made up to now. The adult bird is at least 5 years old, the younger is estimate to be approx. 3.5 years old.

FURTHER OBSERVATIONS SINCE SPRING There are no hints to further pair formation in other areas but observations of immature or subadult Bearded Vultures in two areas point to longer phases of presence. Observations of singular immature or subadult birds come mainly from middle Engadine. The total number of recorded Bearded Vulture was slightly lower than in 2003.

Middle Engadine, in particular Val Trupchun Martell (BG 395, released in Martell Valley/Italy in 2002) was seen in particular in Val Trupchun until September. Afterwards its immature plumage was totally moulted. On 22nd/23rd of May, Martell was observed feeding on bones close to Zernez in Val da Bareli (game warden G. DENOTH). Most of the observations made in Val Trupchun were made by A. á PORTA (15th, 17th, 27th of August; 7th, 10th, 25th of September). Culan (BG 438, released in Martell Valley/Italy in 2004): on 24th of September, Culan was observed together with an adult bird close to Ova Spin (R. FLÜCKIGER). Two days later it was seen near Lü in Münster Valley (J. LAMPRECHT). On 2nd of October, Culan ﬂew at Piz Cotchen above Ardez. Transalpaete (BG 418, released in Haute Savoie/France in 2003), was seen twice by game warden P. S CHANIEL (on 12th of September close to Madulain and on 18th of October in Val Chamuera. Hubertus 2 (BG 446 released in Hohe Tauern/Austria in 2004), was seen near Macun on 9th of Sep- tember (M. RAUCH). Ortler (BG 439 released in Martrell Valley/Italy in 2004; transmitter). This bird returned in October, after an excursion to the Reschenpass, and was observed in Valle del Braulio. At the beginning of November, it was recorded in the area of the Berninapass. In the middle of November it was located close to Tirano and afterwards in National Park Stelvio, near San Giacomo/Fraele. In the middle of December, the bird made an excursion to the Lechtal/Tyrol (Austria) and returned to Il Fuorn on 20th of December. All informations were given by satellite tracking (see also the report of DANI- EL HEGGLIN). Thuri (BG 424, released in Engadine/Switzerland in 2003), was regularly observed in Val Chamu- era as from September (see the following detailed report). In the course of the hunting season, the observations of Bearded Vultures increased remarkable in the area of Val Chamuera/La Punt. Bearded Vultures were regularly seen after the shooting of a strong male deer above Chamues-ch on 17th of September. On 21st of September, a double 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 52

50 Monitoring 2004

sighting (two birds?) was made by C. RAUCH Photo: P. SCHANIEL, Switzerland after the shooting of one chamois. The shooting of two deer near Flins/Cinuos-chel middle of November was in remarkable connection to observations of Bearded Vultures in the same area: one adult ﬂew close above Chapella (J. HEUSCHERT) on 20th of November. On 21st and 22nd of November one single adult was seen on each day and two Bearded Vultures were observed above Cinuos-chel on 27th of November (R. FLÜCKIGER). Obviously, the Bearded Vultures took advantage of deposed bowels of shot deer.

VAL CHAMUERA In the area of Val Chamuera/La Punt, Bearded Subadult Bearded Vulture, October 2004 Vultures obviously remained even after the hunting season. Two Bearded Vultures flew above the entrance of Val Chamuera and Alp Müsella: one adult and Transalpaete (BG 418). On the same day, P. SCHANIEL observed three birds (one added adult bird). On 23rd of September, one unmarked immature flew at Piz Mezzaun. Thuri (BG 424) was observed at Piz Mezzaun for the first time on 20th of September (P. SCHANIEL) and since then on a regular basis often together with an immature/subadult in the area of Val Chamuera/La Punt. Most of the observations were made by game warden P. SCHANIEL.

BALANCE Its much too early to speak about pair formation in Val Chamuera. The birds are 3.5 and 1.5 years old (Thuri, BG 424). The identiﬁcation of the older birds is not totally clear. Maybe it is Louis (BG 364, released in Engadine in 2000; Ring left: BLUE - ring right: GREEN). Obviously this region is well suited as Bearded Vulture habitat, which is shown by the long continuous presence of both birds.

Photo: K. WEISSTHANNER, Switzerland Three sightings of Bearded Vultures were made in the area of the Es-cha Alpine hut above Zuoz: End of June (E. MÜLLER), on 10th of August one unmarked immature Bearded Vulture (K. WEIS- STANNER, photo) and on 22nd of September one immature bird (observer unknown). Not far from these spots, close to Arets above Zuoz, one Bearded Vulture was observed on the 26th of June and on the 18th of July (G. BLUMENTHAL). One observation was made close to Alp Laret on the 9th of September (B. JENNY).

W. BÜRKLI observed one Bearded Vulture in Val Fain on the 5th of August and D. GODLI reported one observation made by a herdsman in the same valley (date unknown). One adult bird was seen in a gorge below Piz Lagrev close to Sils Baselgias (R. FLÜCKIGER). Otherwise, observations were made rather rarely (except Val Cha- muera), in particular in the area of Berninapass. More than 3-year old bird on 10th of August UNTERENGADINE BELOW ZERNEZ Aside of three observations of Val Sinestra (PAIR SINESTRA) and those of Val S-charl (PAIR FORAZ), only four reports came in from the area Scuol, Ardez and Val Tuoi. Adult birds were seen thrice: close to Marangun (Scuol) on 20th of May, at Piz Cotschen (Ardez) on 24th of June and near Scuol on 7th of September. On 2nd of September, two Bearded Vultures, sitting on the ground close to Alp Sarsura were seen by the pilot of a helicopter (G. DENOTH). 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 53

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RELEASE SITE MARGUNET Rather few Bearded Vultures were observed in the area of the release site Stabelchod (maybe because no release took place in 2004 in Switzerland). On 28th of July (M. JENNY) and on 15th of November (A. á PORTA) one single adult bird was seen and immature birds on 21st of July and on 9th of November (A. á PORTA).

OUTSIDE ENGADINE Area Bergün: On 20th of August, two Bearded Vultures were seen in Val Tuors. W. BÜRKLI observed one immature bird in the back part of Val d´Err/Tinizong on 25th of July. Avers

Game warden S. JÄGER reported three observations of one adult Bearded Vulture: one on 3rd of May near Juppa, one on 30th of June near Mugnol/Leidabach and one on 6th of July near Bergal- ga. Weisstannental In the behind part of the Weisstannental (SG) one to two Bearded Vultures were regularly observed as from summer 2004. R. KUNZ (Dübendorf) made several trips to this area to take photos. He him- self observed ﬁve times Bearded Vultures. The herdsman of Obersiezsäss told him about the "every day appearance" of the Bearded Vultures. On 12th, 27th and 30th of October, R. KUNZ observed one Bearded Vulture on each day - but these observations concerned two different individuals: one adult and one immature/subadult bird (approx. 3.5 years old). Both birds together could not be observed until now but interactions with Golden Eagles were reported.

BALANCE Also in this case, it is much too early to speak about pair formation. Pair ﬂights or sitting close side by side was not observed up to now. In addition, one of the birds obviously is still immature. But the Weissentannental may be a very suitable habitat for a future Bearded Vulture territory (rich in game, rich in sheep, three pairs of Golden Eagle!).

SUMMARY AND PROSPECT PAIR LIVIGNO raised its fourth offspring (the third in a row, which fledged from the same eyrie at the left side of Lake Livigno above the grit plant). As in former years, the brooding was watched by employees of Corpo Forestale di Livigno/Bormio and game wardens of the Swiss National Park. The brooding happened without any accident. The partners of the experienced pair are CIC (BG 186) and Moische (BG 146).They obviously have definitely established their territory in the core area of Dardaligno. Date of fledging was the 22nd of July (as in 2003). As from September, the young bird (Tommy-Livigno, BGW 23) was also seen in the bordering Val Trupchun. In December, the birds again started to enlarge the eyrie Dardaligno.

PAIR BORMIO raised its 5th offspring in 2004 (Gerry-Stelvio, BGW 24). Although ravens gave reason for continuous interference, the brooding continued without any disturbance. The exact date of ﬂedging, from the west-situated eyrie Palone, could not be determined, as the young bird tended to return to the eyrie after ﬂedging. The use of one nestling as fodder for its sibling was observed.

PAIR ZEBRU, being rather young, was successful too. The second young of this pair ﬂedged on 5th or 6th of July (Silva-Zebru, BGW 22). Also this young vulture returned several times to the eyrie after ﬂedging. As in 2003, one pair of ravens successfully brooded in close vicinity. In 2004, the Bearded Vultures did not take notice of the ravens (habituation?). In December, the pair was observed at another eyrie of Golden Eagles, which maybe will be enlarged by the vultures (A. PIROVANO).

The situation of PAIR SINESTRA was similar to 2003. Both partners of the pair were present in the core area of the territory but there were phases where only one bird or no bird at all was observed. FEATHER ANALYSES REVEALED A SURPRISING RESULT: the male bird could be Margunet (BG 149), the former partner of Pair Bormio. The eyrie, enlarged in November 2003, was continuously extended in 2004 and also used as a roost several times. Since August, only one bird was observed. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 54

52 Monitoring 2004

In the course of spring/summer, a new pair established its territory in Val S-charl. The birds built a nest in Val Foraz and were subsequently called PAIR FORAZ. Nest building activities and clearly visible pair bonding behaviour proved pair formation. The younger bird is still immature/subadult, its age was estimated as three years. The birds were not continuously present in the core area (similar to Pair Sinestra) and some roosts were selected in rather remote areas in the region of S-charl. A total of 11 offspring was produced by the three reproducing pairs (Bormio: 0.71; Livigno: 0.67; Zebru: 0.67). These are clearly higher values as in the Pyrenees (0.57 between 1986 and 1990; 231 checked pairs in R. HEREDIA 1991: El Quebrantahuesos en los Pireneos, I. C. O. N. A., Mad- rid). No brooding at all did not happen up to now, but breaking off was observed five times (twice during brooding, thrice in early stage of nestling development). In 2004, a total of five young Bearded Vultures were reared in the Alpine range (one in Bargy, Haute-Savoie, France and one in Les Vanoises (Termignon). Alltogether, 20 offspring fledged in the wild, of which 11 (55%) are descending from birds, released in the Engadine. Five pairs (out of 17 known and checked ones) are living in the area Engadine - Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio. Established pairs obviously have strengthened their pair bond and new pairs are in formation. Dif- ficulties with respect to the continuity of partners in newly formed pairs point to the fact that maybe the optimal brooding habitats are occupied in the meantime (taking philopatric behaviour into consideration). This may be an explanation for the still rather low number of reproducing pairs (six) compared with the quickly increasing number of known and checked pairs (17).

Satellite tracking of Bearded Vultures - the project «BEARDED VULTURE ON THE MOVE»

by Daniel Hegglin*, Martin Wehrle** & Adrian Aebischer ***

Immature and subadult Bearded Vultures travel for long distances through the Alps and sometimes even leave this region. Knowledge about the movements of these birds depends mainly on the direct sightings that are collected in the central database of the International Bearded Vulture Moni- toring. Satellite telemetry allows the regular location of animals and can provide additional, more detailed data about the spatial behaviour of single ﬂoating Bearded Vultures. Hence, satellite telemetry could be used as a tool to supplement the Bearded Vulture Monitoring. This year the project «BEARDED VULTURES ON THE MOVE» was initiated with the aim to investigate the ﬂoating behaviour of young Bearded Vultures by marking single released birds with satellite tags.

EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT MOUNTING TECHNIQUES – PRELIMINARY RESULTS Before marking free living Bearded Vultures with satellite tags, we had to ﬁnd a save mounting technique that does not disturb or even harm the marked animals. Satellite tags can be mounted on tailfeathers, on legs, on wings, with a harness on the body of the bird or as implants (e.g. KENWARD 2001). For our purpose tail-mounts (FIGURE 1A) and backpacks (conventional harnesses: FIGURE 1B; leg-harnesses: FIGURE 1C) seemed to be the most promising techniques to attach the satellite tags on Bearded Vultures (HEGGLIN et al. 2002).

Figure 1: Mounting devices tested on captive juvenile and adult Bearded Vul- tures in the Natur- and Tier- park Goldau, Switzerland. grey: transmitter; dark grey: harness built with a Silicon rope mantled with a Teﬂon band. (A) Tail mount: the transmitter is taped on the base of a central tail feather; (B) backpack with conventional harness (C) backpack with leg-harness.

*Stiftung Pro Bartgeier, 7530 Zernez & SWILD – urban ecology & wildlife research, Wuhrstr. 12, CH-8003 Zürich, Switzerland, [email protected] **Nature and Animal Park Goldau, Parkstr. 40, CH-6410 Goldau, Switzerland, [email protected] ***Conservation Biology, Zoological Institute, University of Berne, Erlachstrasse 9a, CH - 3012 Bern, Switzerland, [email protected] 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 55

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Therefore we evaluated these techniques on 10 captive Bearded Vultures in the Natur– und Tier- park Goldau, Switzerland, between July 2002 and December 2004. The behaviour of each of the investigated animals was recorded in detail before and after mounting the dummy-transmitters per eight hours a day during six to nine days. Additionally, the marked Bearded Vultures were regularly checked for skin lesions or other signs of disturbance by the veterinarian of the breeding station. We observed only few behavioural reactions of the marked birds for all types of investigated mounting-devices. During the ﬁrst three days after mounting the tags, some birds showed a trend towards more frequent comfort behaviour. Direct manipulations at the mounting-devices were rare and mainly observed during the ﬁrst three days after mounting the tags (see TABLE 1).

Table 1: Frequency of intervals during which the marked Bearded Vultures manipulated their mounting devices one to three days and 30-80 days after mounting. BV: Bearded Vulture; age: A=adult, J=juvenile; n intervals: number of observed 20 sec. intervals, n manipulation: number of 20 sec. intervals with a bird manipulating its mounting device; % manipulation: percentage of 20 sec. intervals with a bird manipulating its mounting device.

1-3 days after mounting 30-80 days after mounting mounting n inter- n mani- % mani- n inter- n mani- % mani- BV age technique valls pulation pulation valls pulation pulation tail JQL A 286 5 1,7% 845 0 0,0% mount FLX A 261 3 1,1% 280 0 0,0% HNS A 592 14 2,4% - no data - conv. GRN J 259 0 0,0% 811 1 0,1% harness SCB J 275 7 2,5% 295 0 0,0% INB J 246 2 0,8% - no data - tail BSL A 265 4 1,5% 235 0 0,0% mount & WNN A 291 1 0,3% 238 0 0,0% Rappole CZ1 J 295 4 1,4% 284 0 0,0% harness CZ2 J 295 7 2,4% 284 0 0,0%

The systematic ethological observations and veterinary health examinations of the marked Bearded Vultures strongly suggest that tail-mounts (FIGURE 1A) do not negatively affect juvenile and adult Bearded Vultures. The harnesses for the backpacks consisted of a stable Teflon band in which an elastic silicon string was inserted. The conventional harnesses (FIGURE 1B) used for two juvenile birds were not flexible enough to cope with the growth of the animals. In addition, a bare patch developed beyond a dummy-transmitter of an adult bird that was marked with a conventional harness (FIGURE 1B). Therefore we removed these three backpacks and used thereafter on recommen- dation of Naef-Daenzer (personal comm. and 2001) a modified leg-harness (FIGURE 1C) shaped according to RAPPOLE and TIPPTON (1991). This type of harness has several advantages: (a) it is easy to mount and to adjust to the size of the bird, (b) it can break at any place without having the risk that the broken leg-harness will not solve from the bird, (c) it does not embrace the chest where a harness can interfere negatively with still growing breast muscles of juvenile birds and (d) the transmitter lies on the rump and not above the chest where long spinous processes can provoke pressure points. In 2003 one adult and in 2004 two juvenile Bearded Vultures were marked with leg-harnesses. All birds accepted the harnesses readily. Also the adult bird that carries the leg-harness for 17 months up to now does not show any skin irritations or other kind of adverse effects. Furthermore, the harnesses coped easily with the growth of the juvenile birds from 5.2 to 6.6 kg and from 5.4 to 7.5 kg, respectively.

First results of the project «BEARDED VULTURES ON THE MOVE» In June 2004, the two young Bearded Vultures Culan (BG 438, male) and Ortler 1804 (BG 439, female) released in the Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio, Italy, were marked with tail-mounted satellite tags just before ﬂedging. As expected, the satellite tags dropped off after a short period (28-32 days) because the tail feathers were not fully developed at the time of ﬂedging. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 56

54 Monitoring 2004

Ortler could be trapped and marked again at the age of 146 days (FIGURE 2). Up to present (December 2004), the satellite transmitter provides regular data on the movements of the marked juvenile Bearded Vulture (FIGURE 3). In a ﬁrst phase, Ortler remained in the near surrounding of the release site in the Martelltal of the Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio (<10km). In the end of August the centre of activity shifted southwards, but until the end of September Ortler still remained near the release site (mainly <20km). Mid October, Ortler was located around 30km south of the release site, near Vermiglio and thereafter +/- 30km north of the release site by the Reschenpass. The rest of the month she was mainly located in the area of the Valle di Braulio. In November, Ortler was ﬁrst localised close to the Bernina Pass. Subsequently she was found 30km to the south-east near Tirano. Mid-November, Figure 2. FRANZ GAMPER releases Ortler 1804 (BG Ortler returned to the Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio 439) just after marking the bird with a satellite trans- and to the Reschen Pass. Thereafter the bird moved mitter. Photo: DANIEL HEGGLIN, Switzerland on 80km southwards to the Monte Adamello and returned again to the Valle di Braulio. In December

fewer location were received than in the previous months. Three locations were made in the Swiss National Park and its near surrounding. The most distant location was received the 12th of December from the Lech Valley 95 kilometres north from the releasing site.

«Bearded Vultures on the Move» online The internet site www.bartgeier.ch provides information on the project «BEAR- DED VULTURES ON THE MOVE» in English, French, Italian and German. In regular intervals on this site news from Ortler are reported. The information about the movements of this bird is published with a certain delay, in order to avoid that this information affects the reports for sightings of this bird. Figure 3. Locations of Ortler 1804 (BG 439) from 25th of July to The site is visited by a broad public 30th of December 2004. and serves as a tool to inform the public about the Bearded Vulture and the reintroduction project. The public attention towards the site steadily increased in the course of the project and during December 2004, each day more then 1’000 single pages of the internet site «BEARDED VULTURES ON THE MOVE» were visited with a daily mean of 47 visitors. The site offers the opportunity to register for a newsletter by which the prescribers are informed about news on the internet site. Up to know the monthly newsletter is sent to more then 500 persons. Up to now most of the prescribers are from Switzerland (71%), followed by Germany (10%), Austria (6%), Italy (6%) and France (4%). The German version of the site is online since June 2004, the French, Italian and English version just since November 2004. Therefore a signiﬁcant increase of visitors from these countries is expected in the near future. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 57

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Preliminary conclusions and outlook The first results demonstrate that satellite telemetry allows the regular location of marked Bearded Vultures and to follow the routes of floating juvenile individuals. For 2005, it is planned to mark more juvenile and if possible also subadult Bearded Vultures with satellite transmitters. We will compare the data gathered by direct observations with the data collected by satellite telemetry. This comparison helps to identify possible gaps in the observation network. The quantity and quality of the location received by satellite is up to now not always satisfying. The use of harnesses instead of tail mounts allows the use of more powerful transmitters that deliver more frequently accurate locations and have a longer lifespan. The leg-harnesses are well accepted by the Bearded Vultures and did not cause any adverse effects on the animals investigated in captivity. Since this harness type can cope with still growing birds it offers the possibility to mark juvenile Bearded Vultures just before fledging.

Acknowledgements The project «BEARDED VULTURES ON THE MOVE» is integrated in the LIFE project "International programme for the Bearded Vulture in the Alps” where different European partners - associated in the Foundation for the Conservati- on of the Bearded Vulture - collaborate. The programme is ﬁnancially supported by WWF Switzerland, the LIFE project "International programme for the Bearded Vulture in the Alps”, the Zurich Animal Protection Society (Zür- cher Tierschutz), the Swiss Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscape (SAEFL). Furthermore the project gains substantial support by the Conservation Biology of the University of Berne, the Natur- und Tierpark Goldau and the Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio. Many thanks also to Alex Llopis, Dell, Beat Naef-Daenzer, Chasper Buchli, David Jenny, Felix Weber, Florian Gor- fer, Franz Gamper, Gunter Gressmann, Hans Frey, Hanspeter Gunsch, Jürg Paul Müller, Michael Knolleisen, Rich- ard Zink, Robert Eksic, Thomas Pachlatko, Centro de Cría Guadelatín, Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture, Vienna Breeding Unit, Tiergarten Schönbrunn, Zoo de La Garenne, Zoo Liberec, Zoo Prague and many others who have contributed to the project.

References

HEGGLIN D., AEBISCHER A., WEHRLE M. (2002). Mounting devices for satellite tracking Bearded Vultures (Gypaetus barbatus) – preliminary results. Annual Report of the Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture. 2002: 82-84.

KENWARD, R. E. (2001). A manual for wildlife radio tagging. Academic Press, San Diego, USA, 311 p.

NAEF-DAENZER B., WIDMER F., NUBER M. (2001): A test fo effects of radio-tagging on survival and movements of small birds. Avian Science 1: 15-23.

RAPPOLE J. H., TIPTON A. R. (1991). New harness design for attachment of radio transmitters to small passerines. Journal of Field Ornithology 62(3): 335-337.

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56 Monitoring 2004

Hohe Tauern National Park – Breeding in the wild 2004

by Michael Knollseisen *

There has been no successful breeding in the wild in Austria in 2004. After the breeding failure in 2003, PAIR GASTEIN (probably BG 260 Andreas Hofer and BG 263 Berna) moved 10 km north and started to build a new nest in April of the same year. First copulas have been observed in the nest on 08th of December. The „2004 nest“ (Gastein 2) was an old Golden Eagle nest in a southeast exposed 100 m high cliff. The site is 1.400 metres above sea level. Egg laying took place on the 31st of January. Since the ﬁrst days of brooding the local Golden Eagle pair started to attack the breeding vultures. The breeding bird was forced to leave the nest several times for periods from 10 to 70 minutes. Finally on 11th of February, PAIR GASTEIN left their 2004 nest site. Since April, the two birds were building at a new nest site (3 km from the breeding site). At the end of May, the couple moved to its summer habitat 10 km in the south. Interestingly, both birds were hardly seen in Sep- tember, whereas during this time observations of adult Bearded Vulture were made in Berchtes- gaden NP, Germany (100km north of Gastein). Therefore it is possible, that the pair left its territory during this time in order to look for other nesting-areas. At the end of September, the birds returned to Gastein and started to build a new nest in October 2004. The 40metres high cliff is well protected, exposed to north-east and far away from any Golden Eagle nest. The actual nest site is 10km south of their 2004 breeding site. The nest built in spring wasn´t used anymore. The ﬁrst copula took place on 12th of December at a distance of 10 km from the possible brooding site.

Austrian Bearded Vulture Monitoring 2004

by Gunter Gressmann ** & Michael Knollseisen *

In the Austrian Bearded Vulture Monitoring a personal change was done in July. ANDREAS SCHWARZ- ENBERGER left the project after two and a half years and his work is now done by GUNTHER GREßMANN and SILVIA OTTO. 2004 was another successful year for Austria. On the one hand, the network was enlarging and covers now to almost 2.100 people and on the other hand the number of observations and the number of individually identiﬁed birds makes conﬁdent. So in 2004 there was a minimum of 610 observations reported without the data from the release site. TABLE 1 shows the number of observers and observations in the different Austrian districts.

Table 1. Observations in Austria in 2004, shown per province

VORARLBERG TYROL CARINTHIA SALZBURG STYRIA OTHERS TOTAL OBSERVERS 65 1059 440 331 62 125 2082 OBSERVATIONS 4 164 113 324 5 0 610

JUVENILE BIRDS In Austria, two birds were released in the Tyrolean part of the Hohe Tauern Nationalpark this year. The new place in Kals turned out to be a good release site. Over 20.000 people could watch the vultures BG 444, Toto and BG 446, Hubertus 2 and were informed about the project. Hubertus 2 began to fly on 06th August and stayed near the release site for the first weeks. In November it was seen two times in Malta (Carinthia) and finally at the end of 2004 in the Großarl- Valley in Salzburg.

* EGS Österreich, Untertauern 3, A-9844 Heiligenblut, Austia. [email protected] ** Nationalpark Hohe Tauern, Kirchplatz 2, A-9971 Matrei, Austria. [email protected] 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 59

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Toto made its first flight on 26th July. In PHOTO: M. GIRSTMAIR, AUSTRIA November the bird behaved unusual. It could be seen near or even sometimes in vil- lages preferring roofs for roosting sites. After that Toto started to accept people in a distance of some metres. We recaptured it on 28th December and brought it back to the VIENNA BREEDING UNIT. Toto was in good physical condition and seemed to be healthy, but due to its strange behaviour it will be kept in the breeding centre. Apart from these two birds released in Eastern Tyrol in July, one bird of the release in South Tyrol could be seen in Austria. BG 438, Culan, was identified in Tyrol two times in August and once again in November, always in the area near Imst.

IMMATURE BIRDS The most frequently identiﬁed immature bird BG 444, Toto on a roof in the city of Lienz, Eastern Tyrol in Austria was BG 420, Joker, a female

PHOTO: V. WÖHRY, AUSTRIA released in Carinthia in 2003. This bird appeared in May in the north-east of the country of Styria (Veitschalpe), where it stayed for a few weeks. In the middle of June, Joker returned to the Hohe Tauern NP area, where lot of observations have been made in the provinces of Salzburg, Carinthia and Eastern Tyrol. Between 6th October and 23rd November, no observation was made in Austria. BG 422, Kasati (released in Mallnitz/Carinthia in 2003) left Austria in the middle of April in direction of France. Since September several observations are noted in Austria, especially in Eastern Tyrol. BG 424, Thuri (released in Engadin in 2003), visited Austria for several times. It was seen in Vorarlberg in spring and once again in the BG 420, Joker, on the Veitschalpe in Styria. Northern Tyrolean Zillertal valley in Septem- ber. BG 418, Transalpaete (released in Doran in 2003) seemed to have been in Eastern Tyrol at the end of October, but considering an observation of the same bird in France two days later, the Austrian observation seems to be very unlikely. Maybe there has been a mistake with BG 424, Thuri (released in Engadine in 2003). BG 372, El Dorado und BG 373, Christa, released in Eastern Tyrol in 2001, lost their marks in the last year. We assume that Christa is in France. El Dorado could only be observerd for sure in January in Eastern Tyrol. A lot of observations of no more marked immature birds could not be related to a special bird: At the end of spring, two observations have been made in Eastern Tyrol and Carinthia, which could be BG 405, Avaris (released in Haute Savoie in 2002). Several observations in the Samnaun- and Verwallmountains, near Pettnau, and in September near Imst and near Pfunds, may either be related to BG 357, Rätia (released in Martell in 2000) and its partner, or to BG 375, Felice (released in Engadine in 2001). 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 60

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One immature Bearded Vulture with typical signs of moulting was regularly seen between Eastern Tyrol and Salzburg in the period of mid-June and September. This bird is probably BG 392, Ambo (released in Gastein in 2002). Another probably two- or three-year old bird with a lot of moulting feathers has been observed several times in Eastern Tyrol since October.

SUBADULT AND ADULT BIRDS One immature bird with red chest, sometimes seen in the eastern part of the National Park, could be the female BG 350, Bingo (released in Mallnitz in 2000). This bird was identified in this area the years before. BG 296, Jackpot 3 (released in Rauris in 1998) was not identified for sure, but it is very likely that Jackpot 3 is the bird observed regularly in Eastern Tyrol (2-6 times per month). Three other adult birds can be seen regularly in Austria. One of them is thought to be BG 138, Nico- la (released in Rauris in 1991). Nicola is the oldest bird actually identified in Austria. She is flying between Heiligenblut (Carinthia), Rauris (Salzburg) and Kals (Eastern Tyrol). The other two birds, BG 260, Andreas Hofer (released in Rauris in 1996) and BG 263, Berna (released in Engadin in 1996) are the only Austrian pair, using the Gastein-valley in Salzburg as core area of their territory. This pair stopped breeding after two weeks because of continuous attacks of the territorial Golden Eagle pair. After the failure they began to build nests at three different places, so the Austrian team looks very hopefully to 2005. The Austrian team suggests, that a fifth adult bird is living in Austria. During the observations at the nest of PAIR GASTEIN, another adult bird was seen twice at the end of 2004, which neither should be Nicola nor Jackpot 3. Observations of adult Bearded Vultures in other regions of Austria, especially Northern Tyrol and Vorarlberg suggest the presence of additional subadult or adult birds. These birds are supposed to fly also in the bordering areas Switzerland or Southern Tyrol. In January, February and March some observations of adults birds were made especially in Nort- hern Tyrol (Nauders, Paznaun, Ischgl, Obervermunt). At the beginning of July, one adult bird was seen nearly for a week in the Ötztal-valley in Northern Tyrol. In Vorarlberg there was an observation at the end of July. At the end of September, one adult bird was seen in the Piz-valley and at the end of October one was observed in Zillertal-valley (both valleys in Northern Tyrol).

CONCLUSION

TABLE 2 shows the Bearded Vultures which could be identiﬁed in Austria in 2004. Additionally there is a minimum number of four birds (the maximum could be higher), which could not be identiﬁed. So a total of at least 17 different birds were observed in 2004.

Table 2. Birds identiﬁed or likely seen in Austria

BEARDED VULTURE NAME RELEASE SITE BG 446 Hubertus 2 Kals 2004 BG 438 Culan Martell 2004 BG 422 Kasati Mallnitz 2003 BG 420 Joker Mallnitz 2003 BG 424 Thuri Engadine 2003 BG 392 Ambo Gastein 2002 BG 372 El Dorado Gshlöß 2001 BG 350 Bingo Mallnitz 2000 BG 296 Jackpot 3 Rauris 1998 BG 263 Berna Engadine 1996 BG 260 Andreas Hofer Rauris 1996 BG 138 Nicola Rauris 1991 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:29 Uhr Seite 61

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Status of the Bearded Vulture in Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio in 2004

by L. Moriconi *, L. Pedrotti *, H. Gunsch *, A. Ricci **, A. Pirovano *

In 2004, as two years ago, all the three bearded vulture stable pairs bred and the young vultures successfully fledged. Furthermore in the South Tyrol sector of Stelvio Natio- nal Park, in Martello Valley, two more young bearded vultures were released, fitted with satellite radiotags. From October 2003 to Sep- tember 2004, 279 sighting records, regarding Lombardia and Trentino sectors, were collected. Records concerning South Tyrol sector were unfortunately less abundant according to the different field work strictly concentrated on the monitoring of released Figure 1. Bearded vulture sightings in Stelvio National Park in 2004. birds and have not been implemented yet in the database. In the last year Bearded Vultures were consistently observed in the area of Sondalo - Rezzalo Val- ley (in the south-western part of the Park), where an adult vulture together with a subadult one was often sighted. The area will be constantly monitored during winter to check the possible formation of a new pair. From 1991 up to September 2004, 2035 sightings have been recorded in Stelvio NP. In 1997, the formation of the first pair was registered in Valle del Braulio and in 1998 the first wild born Bearded Vulture (BGW 02, named "Stelvio”) fledged inside the protected area. Since 1998, 11 wild born vultures has fledged in the Lombardia sector of Stelvio NP. The area of the Park proved very suitable for Bearded Vultures according to different reasons: availability of wide ranges of areas above tre- eline to inspect for carrions, large and steep limestone cliffs for nesting and a high ungulates population density that provide for high winter mortality rates. In addition to the three breeding pairs and their offspring, some more Bearded Vultures, coming from different release sites, were observed flying over the Park, as reported in TABLE 1.

MONITORING AND REPRODUCTION IN STELVIO NATIONAL PARK In the last breeding season, the settlement of three breeding pairs was conﬁrmed.

- PAIR BRAULIO: constituted by Margunet (BG 149) and Jo (BG 169). They nested in the site already used in 1999, 2001 e 2003. The 21th of January the staff of Corpo Forestale dello Stato reported that the pair started to brood. Hatching took place between 18 th and 25 th of March and the ﬂedge of the young vulture was recorded between 10 th and 12 th of July.

- PAIR LIVIGNO: constituted by Cic (BG 186) and Moische (BG 146). They nested in the same site used since 2001. Egg laying occurred the 29 th of January, hatching the 28th March. The young ﬂedged the 22th of July.

- PAIR ZEBRÙ: constituted by Mauritio (BG 264) and Diana (BG139), the pair nested in the same site since 2002. Egg laying occurred before the 27th of January, hatching around the 15th of March and the young ﬂedged between the 5th and the 6th of July.

* Consorzio del Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio - Via Roma 26 – 23032 Bormio (SO), Italy. scientiﬁ[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] [email protected] ** Corpo Forestale dello Stato – CTA di Bormio - Via Monte Braulio, 58 – 23032 Bormio (SO), Italy. [email protected] 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 62

60 Monitoring 2004

Table 1. Birds identiﬁed in Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio

Release NAME ID Site Year 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Settschient BG 143 CH 1991 Felix BG 193 CH 1993 Mounier BG 196 FRA 1993 Pisoc BG 210 CH 1994 Marga BG 261 AUT 1996 Tell BG 283 CH 1997 Diana Valle BG 301 CH 1998 Gilde BG 299 CH 1998 Sempach BG 323 CH 1999 Bingo BG 350 AUT 2000 Christelle BG 363 CH 2000 Georg BG 355 AUT 2000 Louis BG 364 CH 2000 Pablo BG 359 FRA 2000 y Ciabrì BG 349 ITA 2000 Christa BG 373 AUT 2001 El Dorado BG 372 AUT 2001 Felice BG 375 CH 2001 Roure BG 370 FRA 2001 Natura Mate BG 380 FRA 2001

Considering the three new- borns of 2004, since 1998 a total of 11 wildborn Bearded Vultures have ﬂedged from the Alta Valtellina within the Stelvio NP. This represents the 55% of all the wildborns fledged in the Alps since 1997.

TABLE 2 accounts for the reproductive success history of the three breeding pairs of Stelvio NP. "0” means that the brood started but failed and "1” means that the young successfully ﬂedged.

Figure 2. Sightings of the three breeding pairs of Stelvio National Park. Circles are for highlighting purpoise only.

Table 2. History of Reproductive success of the three breeding pairs YEAR PAIR BRAULIO PAIR LIVIGNO PAIR ZEBRU TOTAL 1998 1 - - 1 1999 0 0 - 0 2000 1 1 - 2 2001 1 0 - 1 2002 1 1 1 3 2003 0 1 0 1 2004 1 1 1 3 TOTAL 5 4 2 11 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 63

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RELEASE IN PARCO NAZIONALE DELLO STELVIO As from 2000, Stelvio NP took part in release actions of young Bearded Vultures raised in the breeding network. Up to now, in South Tyrol sector six individuals have been released. Releases took place on alternate years together with Swiss National Park.

Table 3. Bearded Vultures, released in Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio

Name Studbook Release Sex Number year Interreg BG 354 2000 m Raetia BG 357 2000 f Martell BG 395 2002 f Stift BG 393 2002 f Culan BG 438 2004 m Ortler BG 439 2004 f

On the 5th of June 2004, Stelvio NP and Stiftung pro Bartgeier (CH) released for the third time two young Bearded Vultures in Martello Valley: Culan, BG 438, came from the La Garenne Zoo (CH) and Ortler 1804, BG 439, came from the Centro de Cria Guadalentin (E). Culan fledged the 25th of June, 118 days after egg hatching and Ortler fledged the 28th of June, 120 days after the egg hatching. In the new LIFE project, it was decided to newly evaluate the feasibility of radiotagging some of the released vultures. After the feasibility study, the action was implemented on the two individuals released in Stelvio NP. A 30 g radiotag has been fitted in the tail feathers of Ortler 1804. The transmitters will allow to estimate geographic position, to monitor movements in the first years of life and to constantly check animals locations. Radiotag life is approximately two years and tag will come loose according to feather moult. The released individuals started to explore the surrounding area and they were observed both in the Trentino sector (Ortler, on 27th of September in Rabbi valley) and in the Lombardia sector (Culan, on 14th of September, near Livigno lake, together with one of the new wildborn). A com- prehensive report about radiotracking results is presented by DANIEL HEGGLIN (p. 52-55) .

CONCLUSIONS Future plans are to proceed with the monitoring of the breeding pairs and to increase observation activities to detect the possibile formation of new pairs in other areas. Currently, Stelvio NP is partner of the LIFE Nature project "The Bearded Vulture in the Alps” and takes part on actions regarding radiotagging of released birds, monitoring of pairs and possible new pairs. Collected observations are sent quarterly to the International Bearded Vulture Monitoring in Vienna (AT) to share the database with the other partners. Contribution of the Ecogenics Institute of Zurich (BARBARA GAUTSCHI) was essential to perform genetic analysis. DNA analysis were carried out on blood samples and moulted feathers (collected nearby nests) to determine sex and single individuals. Beside the three breeding pairs, some more sightings of different Bearded Vultures have been collected outside the Park in Lombardia (Alta Valtellina, Alta Valcamonica and Orobie Alps), Trenti- no (Val di Sole and Brenta Massif) and South Tyrol. For this reason, Stelvio NP, together with public administrations (Regione Lombardia and Province of Trento) is going to set up and co-ordinate two local networks of observers to monitor and evaluate the future dispersal and settlement of the Bear- ded Vulture population. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 64

62 Monitoring 2004

Evolution of the territorial pairs in the Western Italian Alps

by Paolo Fasce *, Franco Bergese **, Stefano Borney **

A monitoring programme was carried out by the Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture in the Italian Western Alps, between October 2003 and mid March 2004.

In the Province of Cuneo (outside the Natural Park Alpi Marittime), PAOLO FASCE and FRANCO BER- GESE monitored the region for a total of 43 days, observing at least 13 different birds . The territories which are regularly occupied are the following:

STURA VALLEY This territory has been occupied since at least the year 2000 by two individuals, which had been identiﬁed, thanks to the observation of the rings, as Firmin (BG 229, released in Mercantour in 1995) and Valdieri (BG 268, released in Argentera in 1996). During the winter 2002-2003 and the spring 2003, in the same territory were often present also an immature bird (likely Sereno, BG 348, released in Argentera in 2000) and a non-perfect adult bird (likely Aisone, BG 304, released in Argentera in 1998). The pair used an old nest of Golden Eagle in 2002-2003, bringing some wool, but did not lay any egg. In November 2003, the territory was occupied by a trio, formed by two adult birds and one immature, likely of the third winter (therefore born in 2001).

On the 29th of November, and the following days, PAOLO FASCE observed an adult (Firmin?) mating on top with the immature bird (behaving therefore as a female).

On the 21st of December, PAOLO FASCE observed both adult birds (ﬁrst Firmin? And then the second adult bird) mating on top with the immature bird (still behaving, therefore, as a female bird) The same behaviour was observed during the following days (4th of January, 10th of January) by FRANCO BERGESE.

On the 14th of February, PAOLO FASCE observed, within one hour, the immature bird for three times mating on top with the second adult bird (behaving as a female bird: Valdieri?). Furthermore, the ﬁrst adult bird (Firmin?) was violently chased away by the other adult bird (Valdieri?), both when it tried to approach the pair (adult female-immature male), both when it tried to land on the nest. The same behaviour was performed till the 7th of March. No eggs were laid. The homosexual mating, as the possibility for a female bird to "pilot” the mating, as observed also by J. BERTRAN and A. MARGALIDA in the Pyrenees. Both behaviours are likely to be considered as stages in the formation of a hierarchy. On the opposite, the behaviour of a female (the supposed Valdieri), mating on top, as a male, was never observed for the Bearded Vulture, but only for Egyptian Vulture (J. A. DONAZAR, pers. com), and in any way very rarely. From the month of November 2003 onwards, again in Stura Valley, we veriﬁed the presence in a territory, about 5 km apart, of one adult bird, which, at the beginning, we thought to be Valdieri, as the plumage was very similar and because, at that moment, we thought that the second adult bird of the trio, supposed at that moment to be a male, could be Aisone.

MAIRA VALLEY Since January 2004, we detected a territory occupied by a non perfect adult bird, in its ﬁfth winter (and therefore born in 1999) and an immature bird, likely in its third winter (born in 2001). Both birds were observed together till the end of February.

* FCBV, Via G. d´Annunzio 2/112, I-16121 Genova, Italy. [email protected] ** Natural Park Alta Val Pesio, Via Piccona 18, I-12010 San Rocco Castagnaretta (CN), Italy. [email protected] *** National Park Gran Paradiso, Loc Chateau Feuillet 1, I-11010 St. Pierre (AO), Italy 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 65

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In AOSTA VALLEY, the observations were made by PAOLO and LAURA FASCE (during 13 days) and STE- FANO BORNEY. The occupied territories are the following:

RHÊMES VALLEY

During the spring 2003 STEFANO BORNEY could observe many times two Bearded Vultures of the same age: Pablo (BG 359, released in Haute Savoie in 2000) and a second bird, surely without rings, likely Reposoir (BGW 06, born at Bargy in 2000). The two birds were again observed together from the month of October onwards, and on the 17th of this month, they were also observed bringing some branches to a nest of Golden Eagles. The nest was well enlarged with branches. After this date, and for a long time, only one bird could be observed. During the spring 2004 the nest was used by the Golden Eagles, which laid eggs there. In March the two Bearded Vultures were observed to frequent an old nest of Raven, about 10 Km downwards in the valley, in a cliff very near to the road. During the summer 2004, the observations of the two birds together were rare. The occupation of the territory is therefore unsteady.

VALDIGNE In this region Républic 13 (BG 335, male, released in Haute Savoie in 1999) was often observed, when it was still marked during the winter of 2001-2002. During the spring 2004, the territory was frequented by a pair, formed by a non perfect adult bird, identiﬁed on the 14th of March as Républic 13, by the observation of the rings, and by a bird in its fourth year (born in 2000), maybe Retia (BG 357, female, released in Engadine in 2000).

Actual situation of Territorial Bearded Vulture pairs identiﬁed in the Alps of Haute-Savoie (F) and their conservation

by Patrick Gardet *

Three territorial pairs are actually identiﬁed in Haute-Savoie (Northen French Alps).

The ﬁrst pair, named BARGY PAIR, is located in the north part of the Bornes-Aravis massive (a typical subalpine range of northen Alps) as their vital area. The territory is located in the center of the Bargy range. This pair is formed by two birds released on this same area of Bargy: the female Assignat, BG 111, born in La Garenne Zoo (Le Vaud, CH) and released in 1989 and the male who is quite sure Melchior, BG 101 (no genetic samples dicovered yet), born in Innsbruck Alpenzoo (A) and released in 1988. This pair was the ﬁrst one who reproduced with success in 1997 since the

Table 1. Reproduction of Bargy Pair from 1996 to 2004 Year Reproductive success 1 9 9 6 No clutch 1 9 9 7 Phenix Alp Action - BGW 01 1 9 9 8 Dominique - BGW 03 1 9 9 9 Rhonalp - BGW 05 2 0 0 0 Reposoir - BGW 06 2 0 0 1 Chick fell from nest 2 0 0 2 Clutch did not hatch 2 0 0 3 Chick disappeared 2 0 0 4 Morsulaz - BGW 25

* ASTERS, 278, Avenue de St-Martin, 74700 Sallanches, FRANCE. [email protected] 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 66

64 Monitoring 2004

PHOTO: PATRICK GARDET, FRANCE beginning of the international program, and the chick was named "Phenix Alp Action, BGW 01”. Since then, five chicks have fledged and the last one, "Morsulaz”, BGW 25, born in 2004, showed a good emancipation behaviour. It fledged on 31th of July 2004 in the morning, which is a little late in the season in comparison to the average of the other pairs, but it’s usual for this one. One of the more important factors to explain this good rate of reproductive success is certainly the exceptional dynamic of the Capra ibex population. In 2004, the pair used a third area for the first time, located on the North side of the Bargy range, otherwise the first areas were located on the South side. The altitude is compara- ble, approx. 2050 meters. BG 111, Assignat, female partner of BARGY PAIR The use of this pair´s territory begins to be quite well known and we are now in position to take suitable measurements of conservation, as for exemple negotiate conventions with climbers and paraglindings and visualization of dangerous aerian leads. Nevertheless, all the parts of the Bargy range are relatively easy to access and there are a lot of human activities who can disturb the pair, such as touristic frequentation, military exercices, hunting, climbing, speleology, ski-alpi- nisme, etc. Maybe the new location of the nesting site on the north side, which is less accessible, is connected to this factor.

PHOTO: PATRICK GARDET, FRANCE The second pair, identiﬁed in 2001, is not reproducing up to now. The core area of this pair named FIZ PAIR seems to cover all the oriental parts of the Arve-Giffre massive with certainly an extension in the north-east of the Aravis range, probably the natural border between the two pairs. The regular visits on the release site of Doran (North-East Aravis range) during the summer months, did not cause any problems with the juvenil released birds or BARGY PAIR, but we have to be careful for future releases. The core area is a typical high calcareous alpine mountain with a lot of big limestone cliffs and favourable caves for nest building. Since the winter months, the observations of Nest site of FIZ PAIR copulations and the discovery of an enlarged eyrie permit us to increase our knowledge of the location as a reproductive territory of this pair. The nest site is ENE exposed and the altitude is around 2580 meters, which is very high for North-West Alps where is a very important orographic rainfall effect. The nest site is located in the third higher part of a 700 meters high cliff. The cave used is a big karstic paleo-drain in which the birds totally disappear, that will not make the monitoring easier! We have discovered very recently the nest site of a third pair just near the village of Sixt. This nest site is located not so far the "Fiz” one, but is very low in altitude around 1040 meters. We don’t have observed copulations and it’s a young pair. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 67

2004 Monitoring 65

This area is located in the perimeter of the natural reserve of Sixt-Passy, which makes conservation easier because of specific regulations, which permit us to limit the risks of disturbance by climbers or paragliders who are very numerous around this protected area. Several coloration places have been observed this summer not so far from the nest site. An other important characteristic of the habitat is that there are important spring and winter places of Capra ibex populations, which seem to be in a slow but positive dynamic. In summer, several hundred of sheep are present on the alp. The main conservation problem of this pair is the very high power-line which cross the territory of the pair. Because of frost accumulation in winter, and very long leads between pylons (the longest of Europe!), it will not be possible to put visualization systems without recalculate all the parameters of the structure and change the pylons, that would cost perhaps several millions of Euros. The male of this pair is Phenix Alp Action, BGW 01, the first wild-born bird from the Bargy pair in 1997. The female is Gildo, BG 299, born in Zoo La Garenne in 1998 and released in east Swit- zerland, in Engadine. A first reproducing success from a wild-born bird would be a very strong sym- bol for the success of the program! Several recent data make us optimist in the hope of future new reproductive pairs in Haute-Savoie or its surrounding. At the border alpine massives between France and Switzerland (Haut- Giffre/Emosson, Chablais), a young pair with one subadult bird and one unidentified adult (perhaps Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc; BG 311 and Republic 11, BG 288) have been observed with synchro- nic flights. In Beaufortain massive, between Mont-Blanc and Vanoise National Park, more and more observations of adult birds have been made. This area was the first in the program where a pair showed territorial behaviour before the male Danton, BG 113 (released in Haute Savoie in 1989) was killed by a collision with cables of a very high power line in 1996.

PHOTO: PATRICK GARDET, FRANCE

Location of the three „HAUTE SAVOIE PAIRS“ 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 68

66 Monitoring 2004

Jausiers, BG 413, female, released in Mercantour, France on 24th of May 2003, together with an unmarked bird in Schilthorn, Switzerland on 21st of December 2004.

Photo: B. ABOTTSPON, SWITZERLAND

International Bearded Vulture Monitoring (IBM) in 2004

by Richard Zink *

The year 2004 started with the enjoyable joining of two new partners in the IBM. " PARCO NAZIONALE GRAN PARADISO" and " SERVIZIO FORESTE E FAUNA" in Trent. The big ibex population makes Parco Nazionale Gran Paradiso of greatest importance as food resource. In Trent province, the distribution of Bearded Vul- tures reaches its most south-east edge and may be once a "stepping stone" to the Balkans. Together with the three Austrian administrative parts of Nationalpark Hohe Tauern, a total of 12 partner institutions build the financial basis of the IBM project. Again, eight Bearded Vultures Observations between 2000 and were released in 2004. They fled- 2900 2786 ged from the fol- 2800 lowing release 2700 sites: Argentera - 2600 Martell - Doran - 2532 2530 Kals. One of 2500 them, BG 444, 2400 Toto, had to be 2311 2302 recaptured 2300 because of its 2200 strange behaviour. The remai- 2100 ning 7 birds suc- 2000 cessfully integra- 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 ted into the Alpi- Figure 1: Development of Bearded Vulture observations during the past five years. ne population. One of the main parts of result checking of the project is the collection of observations. 2500 observations per year are collected (FIGURE 1).

Partners supporting the Project: A.S.T.E.R.S (F), NP Hohe Tauern (A), PN Alpi Maritime (I), PN Stelvio (I), PN Vanoise (F), Stiftung Pro Bartgeier (CH)

* International Bearded Vulture Monitoring - Nationalpark Hohe Tauern/EGS Austria; c/o Richard Zink, Neuwiesgasse 17, A-1140 Wien, Austria. [email protected] 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 69

2004 Monitoring 67

Identified Birds between 2000 and The number of identified birds 60 remains nearly the same alt- 50 hough the popula- 42 39 40 40 38 tion increases IGURE 32 (F 2). This 30 development gives room for 20 interpretation as 30 Bearded Vultu- 10 res were released and 13 fledged in 0 the wild during the 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 last 4 years. The Figure 2: Number of identified birds from 2000 to 2004. reason for limitati- on of identification may be the increasing difficulties with respect to the monitoring. The population increases and with it the percentage of unmarked birds, which cannot be identified anymore. A real value of the population density can only be achieved by calculations. A total of 129 Bearded Vultures was released since 1986. In addition, 20 young birds fledged in the wild. 24 vultures had to be recaptured or are dead. Taking these values into consideration, 125 Bearded Vultures should be living in the Alps. At the beginning of 2004, the author tried to find out absolute numbers of the population: 83 individual birds, i. e. 73% of the "hypothetical" surviving number. After fledging of additional offspring in the wild, the Alpine poulations numbers approx. 100 Bearded Vultures at the end of 2004. The goal of the reintroduction project is reached if the population density is increasing despite the cessation of releases. This point may be reached rather soon as the number of pair formations increases. 10 out of 15 pairs (some of them still too young to reproduce) brooded in 2004. Soon, the population will produce approx. 7 young per year, which is the average number of released birds. In this case, a positive population trend should be possible even without further releases. Breeding pairs occur clustered - visibly preferring the southern side of the Alps. Clusters of territories at the central release sites Engadine/Switzerland and Haute Savoie/France are obvious. Habi- tat analysis, undertaken in Austria and Switzerland prove that typical elements of the release area are selected (e. g. geological aspects) and may be based on imprinting. Even though the results of genetic analyses show that the establishment of territories not always follows the principle of philopatric behaviour, this phenomenon nevertheless strongly influences the resettlement of this species. The release technique (hacking) used in the project, uses the effects of philopatric behaviour. After a rather extensive migration period the vultures usually return to the release area. A bond to the release site is existing. The responsibility with regard to selection of release sites proved to be greater than previously thought. The development of juveniles until independence is of importance. But the reproductive success of the Bearded Vultures obviously is strongly influenced by the suitability of the release site. We will have to focus on this aspect in the years to come. The recent release sites may have performed their task and prior to cancel the releases in this project, it may be useful to strengthen the Alpine population with a few new selected sites. May be this measure gives room to the vision of building bridges to existing populations in East - and Western Europe. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 70

68 Monitoring/Autochthonous Populations 2004

Supplement to 2003: An observation on one Bearded Vulture in The Netherlands

by Jan Louwman *

During recent years, The Netherlands has had a few nice opportunities to observe a wandering Bearded Vulture (see AR 1997, p. 39-40; AR 1998, p. 37-39; AR 2000, p. 98; and also AR 2003, p. 59). During 2002 and 2003 only on one occasion a Bearded Vulture was sighted. On 24th of May 2003, an immature Bearded Vulture was seen ﬂying above Bargerveen. It apparently had no bleached primaries. Bargerveen is a small nature preserve, 12 km southeast of the city Emmen, in the northeast of The Netherlands.

Bearded Vulture in the French Pyrenees - Results of the Monitoring of 2004

by Martine Razin **

Since 2002, the home range of the Bearded Vulture in the northern part of the Pyrenees appears to have spread from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea. The density of pairs is not yet homogeneous because the re-colonization of the eastern part of the French Pyrenees is relatively recent (< 10 years). However, the situation of the species seems to have improved since the implementation of the Life Programme in 1994 and the formation of the Mini- sterial Action Plan in 1997. Monitoring in the French Pyrenees is achieved by a network of partnerships « CASSEUR D’OS » (natu- ralist associations, protected areas, public establishments, federations of hunters and the association of shepherds) all coordinated by the LPO.

RESULTS TOTAL

Territorial pairs 24 (22 + 2 trios) Checked pairs (result of breeding or non-breeding known) 22 Clutches 20 (+ 3 replacement clutches) Young born 11 (feeding of the chick has been observed) Young ﬂedged 10

PRODUCTIVITY: 0.45 (10/22)

BREEDING SUCCESS: 0.50 (10/20)

PROPORTION OF LAYING PAIRS: 91 % (20/22)

CROSS-BORDER CENSUS (SPAIN, ANDORRA, FRANCE) Simultaneous censuses were carried out over a period of 4 days on both sides of the Pyrenees in order to obtain an estimation of the size and trend of the non-territorial population. The censuses occurred mainly at feeding places which attract a high proportion of the birds that move erratically during winter.

* Wassenaar Wildlife Breeding Centre, WWBC, Raaphorstlaan 28, 2245 bj Wassenaar, The Netherlands. [email protected] ** Coordination Casseur d’os. LPO. 170 Ch. Ximikoarenborda - F – 64210 Ahetze. France. [email protected] 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 71

2004 Autochthonous Populations 69

Productivity (breeding + no breeding pairs

0,7 0,6

0,5 Productivity (breeding + no 0,4 breeding pairs) 0,3 0,2 0,1 0 80-83 84-87 88-91 92-95 96-99 2000-2003

Figure 1. Development of Productivity in the French Pyrenees from 1980 to 2003.

Only a very small proportion of young birds spend the winter period on the northern side; the majority of non-territorial birds prefer to spend this critical time on the Spanish side where it is sunnier and snow less abundant.

FEEDING Seventeen feeding places were set up in 1994: seven on the western half of the mountain range in order to improve the breeding capacity of the pairs, and 10 on the eastern half to encourage re-colonisation of areas where breeding had not yet occurred. Currently, the productivity of the western pairs is rising, probably due to the combined effect of feeding actions, information campaign and restriction of human activities on the breeding sites. The eastern half of the range is being re-colonized with six territorial pairs and several "future pairs” establishing themselves near feeding places. In 2003, three new feeding places were set up in order to speed up the re-colonisation of the eastern half. In 2005 several feeding places will be cancelled (or temporarily limited) on the territories of western pairs showing a satisfying productivity (> 0.5).

POISON In 2002 two separate cases of poisoning (Lindane) were discovered with respect to the Bearded Vulture. A monitoring action was set up in an effort to determine whether the two cases were linked to one isolated incident or whether in fact they were much more serious. To implement this action, the carcasses of scavengers and mountain raptors (Griffon and Egyptian Vultures, Red Kite) were gathered for analysis and the results used as indicators of the quality of the north-Pyrenees ecosystems for the Bearded Vulture. Examination of the carcasses showed cases of shooting and collision against overhead cables, and quantities of Lindane and other contaminating products were insigniﬁcant. Following these results, the risk of poisoning does not appear to be a major concern on the northern side of the Pyrenees, as the slight increase in the number of pairs of Egyptian Vultures in the French Pyrenees leads us to suppose. However, this action will continue.

UNDER THE BEARDED VULTURE’S WING Many educational actions concerning the mountain environment are carried out within the integrated programme "PYRÉNÉES VIVANTES” of which we beneﬁt from being in partnership with the Gover- nment of Aragon (SP). Most of these actions also concern endangered species like the Egyptian Vulture and the Red Kite.

This programme is carried out with the support of the European Union, the Ministry of Environment and the Pyrenean lead authorities. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 72

70 Autochthonous Populations 2004

The Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) Population in the Spanish Pyrenees in 2004 Parameters and reproductive results

by Rafael Heredia *

STUDY AREA AND METHODS

The population under study lives on the southern side of the Pyrennes and comprises three sub- populations: those in the PYRENNES, PYRENEAN FOOTHILLS and PERIPHERICAL SIERRAS. Together, they cover large areas of ARAGÓN, CATALONIA, NAVARRE and BASQUE COUNTRY regions. The total area of the species´ distibution in Spain comprises about 21.000 km2 and is rectangular–shaped, the sides are approximately 360 km long and 90 wide. Population density was determined in the same way as in other large cliff breeding raptor species. Nest sites of breeding pairs were checked in the period of courtship and nest building, as well as during the development of juveniles up to their ﬁrst ﬂight. If data obtained proved to be insufficient, the pair was taken down as not checked. Breeding pairs were considered as such only when they had at least built a nest and had laid eggs. Territories where copulation and nest building had been recorded, but where no eggs were known to have been laid, were still considered only as territories.

PARAMETERS OF REPRODUCTION

Parameters of production (CHEYLAN 1981) were determined as follows:

PARAMETERS OF POPULATION Number of known pairs (territories): number of occupied territories regardless whether the occupying pair consisted of adult plus subadult, reproducing birds or not. Number of breeding pairs: number of breeding pairs regardless whether breeding was successful or not but where eggs were known to have been laid. Number of controlled pairs: number of pairs of which the breeding performance was checked thereby yielding on reproduction.. Number of nesting pairs: number of pairs that laid eggs or gave strong indications of having done so. Number of successful pairs: those pairs having successfully reared a young bird. Number of ﬂedged juveniles: number of young known to have ﬂedged successfully.

PARAMETERS OF THE PAIRS Productivity: number of ﬂedged young/number of controlled pairs. Breeding success: number of ﬂedged young/number of nesting pairs.

Table 1. Overview on the population in the Spanish Pyrenees in 2004 SPANISH PYRENEES 2004

Number of occupied territories 106 (ARAGON: 65; CATALONIA: 302; NAVARRA: 9)

Number of reproducing units 88 (ARAGON: 59; CATALONIA: 22; NAVARRA: 7)

Number of controlled reproducing units 84 (ARAGON: 55; CATALONIA: 22; NAVARRA: 7)

Number of ﬂedglings 33 (ARAGON: 21; CATALONIA: 11; NAVARRA: 1) Productivity (controlled reproducing units) 33/84; 0.37 young/contolled pair/year Productivity (total units) 33/88; 0.39 young/reproducing unit/year

* Tecnical Advisor for the Ministry of Environement and Coordinator of the Bearded Vulture Spanish Conservation Project. Camino del Tunel 198. 33203 Gijón (Spain). [email protected] 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 73

2004 Autochthonous Populations 71

RESULTS BY AUTONOMOUS REGIONS

REGION BREEDING PAIRS CONTROLLED PAIRS FLEDGLINGS PRODUCTIVITY BREEDING SUCCESS Aragón 59 55 21 0.38 - Cataluña 22 22 11 0.50 0.61 Navarra 7 7 1 0.14 0.25 TOTAL 88 84 33 0.37 -

Table 2: Estimation of the number of individuals present in the Pyrenees in 2004

SPAIN FRANCE PYRENEES adults 228 50 278 immatures 209

TOTAL 487

N°IMMATURES: R. ANTOR, 2003 (UNPUBLISHED REPORT)

MORTALITY AND ACCIDENTS

Table 3. Summary of mortality in the Spanish Pyrenees.

PERIOD: 1979-2004 POISON SHOT POWER LINE UNKNOWN OTHERS TOTAL: 39 42% 18% 23% 17%

Mortality of Bearded Vultures in Spanish Pyrenees from 1979 - 2

17% 42% Poison 42% Power Line 23% Shot 18% 18% Unknown + Others 17%

23%

Figure 1. Causes of mortality of Bearded Vultures in the Spanish Pyrenees. (Others are predation, fallen down from the eyrie, etc.). 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 74

72 Autochthonous Populations 2004

Figure 2. Deve- lopment of the Development of the number of Bearded Vulture territ number of Bear- and breeding pairs in the Spanish Pyrenees (1986 - 200 ded Vulture territories and breeding pairs in the Spanish 120 Pyrenees (1986- 2004). 100 80 60 40 20 0

Territories Reproducing pairs

Figure 3. Deve- Development of Bearded Vulture productivity in the Span lopment of Bear- Pyrenees from 1984 to 2004 ded Vulture productivity in the Spanish 0,9 Pyrenees from 0,8 1984 - 2004. 0,7 0,6 0,5 0,4 0,3 0,2 0,1 0

Productivity

GENERAL TREND As from 1986: the populations grows about 7% per year. During the last 18 years, the number of territories increased from 40 to 106 and the number of breeding units from 40 to 88. The species has recolonized new territories at the most western parts of the Pyrennes and east of the Canta- brian Range (Montes Vascos) and this fact is more pronounced in the central and eastern zone (Catalunya). The general trend in the reproductive parameters of this species in the Pyrenees shows a population increase linked to a progressive decrease in productivity. Density increases and productivity decreases in a parallel way, also suggesting a phenomenon of density-dependent regulation. But it also could be that the impact of poisons on breeding pairs brings a swift replacement where many breeding pairs consist of inexperience adults, resutling in a decline of breeding success.

SOURCES AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS SPAIN: Ministerio de Medio Ambiente (Dirección General de Conservación de la Naturaleza). ARAGÓN: Diputación General de Aragón (DGA) Servicio de Conservación de la Biodiversidad - Fundación para la Conservación del Que- brantahuesos (FCQ) CATALUÑA: Departamento de Medi Ambient de la Generalidad de Cataluña & Grupo de Estudio y Protección del Quebrantahuesos (GEPT) NAVARRA: Departamento de Medio Ambiente del Gobierno de Navarra. PAÍS VASCO: Diputaciones Forales de Álava y Guipúzcoa. Medio Natural COMPILER: RAFAEL HEREDIA (Tecnical Advisor for the Ministry of Environement and Coordinator of the Bearded Vulture Spanish Conser- vation Project). 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 75

2004 Autochthonous Populations 73

Conservation of the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) in Corsica: monitoring 2004

by Jean-François Seguin *, José Torre * & Jean-Claude Thibault *

DISTRIBUTION AND POPULATION SIZE The Corsican Bearded Vulture population has a high density in the North (9 territories) and one territory in the South. Other valleys are used for foraging by adult and immature individuals. Four censuses were organized in these valleys in November-December 2003 in order to identify potential new pairs. Four censuses were organized simultaneously in all valleys (altitude more than 1.000 m) in March 2004 too, in order to gain knowledge about the population structure. The population proved to be 10 pairs (25-30 individuals, including non-breeding individuals).

TERRITORY OCCUPANCY

The occupancy of territories is stable since 1983 (TORRE ET AL. 2002). In 2004, the 10 territories were occupied by one trio, eight pairs (adult-adult) and one pair adult-subadult. We have not observed partner replacements in 2004.

EVOLUTION OF BREEDING PARAMETERS Laying rate In 2004, the laying rate was 0.3 (number of laying pair per number of checked pairs, n=10). The laying rate has decreased signiﬁcantly (R_=0.4996) over the period 1983-2004 (FIG. 1).

Figure 1. Deve- lopment of the 1 Bearded Vultures 0,9 laying rate in Corsica. 0,8

0,7

0,6

0,5

0,4

0,3

0,2

0,1

years

PRODUCTIVITY In 2004, the productivy was 0 (number of ﬂedged young per number of checked pairs, n=10). The productivity has decreased (R_=0.2573) over the period 1981-2004 too, (P = 0.16 young/pair/year, n = 183; FIG. 2).

More informations about the breeding parameters are presented in SEGUIN ET AL. 2002.

* Parc naturel régional de Corse, 2 rue Major Lambroschini, BP 417, F-20184 Ajaccio cedex 1, France. e-mail : [email protected] 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 76

74 Autochthonous Populations 2004

Figure 2: Evolu- 0,8 tion of the Bear- ded Vultures pro- 0,7 ductivity in Corsi- ca. 0,6

0,5

0,4

0,3

0,2

0,1

years

LIMITING FACTORS The low level of human activities in the Bearded Vulture breeding area suggests that human distur- bances may not be the main limiting factor (TORRE ET AL. 2002). The principal limiting factor is the decrease of the feeding resources, both wild (mouﬂon) and domestic ungulates (goat and sheep), during the XXth century. The Corsican Bearded Vulture population is dependent on pastoralism in the mountains (SEGUIN et al. 2002).

ARTIFICIAL FEEDING RESOURCES In order to favour the immature-adult survivals and reproduction, one of the major conservation measures is to increase the feeding resources artiﬁcially (SEGUIN & TORRE 2002). A network of ﬁve feeding stations were supplied between November 2003 and May 2004. A total of 3.835 tons of food (bones, and meat during the hatching period) were available for the Bearded Vultures and other scavenger birds.

CONCLUSION AND PERSPECTIVES Corsican Bearded Vulture population is threatened because of the geographic isolation, small size (10 pairs, 25-30 individuals), and the decrease of feeding resources resulting in very low productivity (0.16 young/pair/year, n=183, period 1981-2004). The potential extinction risk of this insular population is high (estimated to 0.165 over the next 50 years, BRETAGNOLLE ET AL. 2004). This makes this population the second most threatened in Europe. Its geographic isolation is expected to decrease in the long term thanks to ongoing reintroduction projects, but the persistence of the Medi- terranean metapopulation depends on the survival of the species in Corsica.

REFERENCES

BRETAGNOLLE V., INCHAUSTI P., S EGUIN J.-F. & THIBAULT J.-C. (2004). Evaluation of the extinction risk and of conservation alternatives for a very small insular population : the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus in Corsica. Biological Conserva- tion 120 : 19-30. SEGUIN J.-F. & TORRE J. (2002). Le programme Life "Conservation du gypaète barbu en Corse”: bilan des actions réalisées en 1999-2002. pp 133-138. In Actes du colloque international « Conservation des populations de Gypaète barbu ». Tende (France), 20-22 juin 2002. SEGUIN J.-F., TORRE J., THIBAULT J.-C., HUGOT L., ROBERT I. & BRETAGNOLLE V. (2002). Evolution de la population insulaire de Gypaète barbu (Gypaetus barbatus) de Corse au cours des vingt dernières années. pp 83-87. In Actes du colloque international « Conservation des populations de Gypaète barbu ». Tende (France), 20-22 juin 2002. TORRE J., FASCE P., FASCE L. & SEGUIN J.-F. (2002). Statut et facteurs limitants d’origine humaine de la population insulaire de Gypaète barbu (Gypaetus barbatus) en Corse. pp 45-49. In Actes du colloque international « Conservation des populations de Gypaète barbu ». Tende (France), 20-22 juin 2002. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 77

2004 Autochthonous Populations 75

Evaluation of the extinction risk and of conservation alternatives for a very small insular population: the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus in Corsica

by Vincent Bretagnolle *, Pablo Inchauti *, Jean-François Seguin ** & Jean-Claude Thibault **

ABSTRACT The Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus is a large, long-lived osteophagus vulture whose abundance and breeding range have drastically declined during the last century, making it one of the most endangered European bird species. We evaluated the extinction risk of the Bearded Vulture population in Corsica (a small, isolated breeding population of 8-10 pairs), one of the last extant populations in Western Europe, and estimated its probability of extinction to be 0.165 over the next 50 years. A sensivity analysis to assess the inﬂuence of uncertain demographic rates showed that it is critical to estimate precisely the values of pre-adult survival. Neither the type nor the parameters of density dependence acting on fecundity and survival rates inﬂuenced much the extinction risk of the Corsican population. We evaluated the effect of four realistic conservation actions that could be implemented on the Corsican Bearded Vulture population and rank them in terms of their respective decrease of the current extinction risk faced by this population. We found that the release of two juveniles every other years for 12 years and the increase of fecundity due to selective food provisioning would reduce by more than one-half the current extinction risk of Corsican Bearded Vulture population. In contrast, even substantial increases in the carrying capacity through large supplemental feeding produced very modest decreases in the extinction risk, thus calling into question the efficacy of one of the main pan-European conservation strategies for this species. Re- establishing a population network within the Mediterranean could be a potentially better strategy, though its efficacy depends on natal dispersal among populations that is currently unknown.

This paper was published in BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION: Bretagnolle V., Inchausti P., Seguin J.-F. & Thibault J.-C. (2004). Evaluation of the extinction risk and of conservation alternatives for a very small insular population : the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus in Corsica. Biological Conservation 120: 19-30.

Comments to the article: "Evaluation of the extinction risk and conservation alternatives for a very small insular population: the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus in Corsica” by V.BRETAGNOL- LE, P.INCHAUSTI, JF.SEGUIN & JC.THIBAULT (Biological Conservation, 2004).

by Laura & Paolo Fasce***, Martine Razin****

The purpose of this article is clearly announced at the end of the Summary: to bring up for discussion the effectiveness of one of the most important conservation strategies for the Bearded Vulture in Europe, i.e. the specific artificial feeding (BRETAGNOLLE et al., 2004). To do so, the Authors bring up for discussion the effects of the artificial feeding carried out in Corsica. Nevertheless, even if they could demonstrate that artificial feeding is ineffective in Corsica, this would not, in any way, bring up for discussion the effectiveness of this strategy elsewhere in Europe. On the other hand, we don’t think that the Authors succeed in demonstrating that the artificial feeding carried out in Corsi- ca is ineffective: contradictorily, after having evaluated the extinction risk for the Bearded Vulture in Corsica, and after having discussed about the effectiveness of this action in Corsica, the Authors propose the artificial feeding in addition to a reintroduction of the species, with the purpose of reducing the extinction risk to the half.

* CNRS-CEBC, 79360 Villiers-en-Bois, FRANCE. [email protected] (V. Bretagnolle), [email protected] (J.-F. Seguin) ** Parc naturel régional de Corse, BP 417, 20184 Ajaccio cedex 1, FRANCE. *** Laura & Paolo Fasce, FCBV, Via G. d’ Annunzio, 2/112 – 16121 Genova, ITALY, [email protected] **** Martine Razin, LPO, Oihan Alde, Route Croix, F – 64210 Ahetze FRANCE, [email protected] 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 78

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The Authors call into question the artificial feeding, considering altogether different types of this action, which don’t follow the same methodology, neither have the same effectiveness: - The artificial feeding carried out in Corsica before the LIFE Program was based on depositing from an helicopter many entire carcasses at the beginning of the winter, - The specific artificial feeding carried out in the Pyrenees and Crete, desirable for Corsica, but not used, consisting of depositing sheep bones and legs, which the Bearded Vultures can eat in situ, brought very regularly every 8-10 days during the period of lack of domestic flocks (6 months), - The artificial feeding carried out in Corsica during the LIFE Program: sporadic deposits of bones on some sites during the winter, and then entire legs and haunches brought regularly till the flight of the young, in the case of hatching. With this kind of feeding, the most part of the pairs of Bearded Vultures are obliged to cover long distances to reach the feeding place, if this was supplied. Similarly, the Authors mix up different types of potential effects of artificial feeding on the biology of the Bearded Vulture: effects on productiveness, on survival, or even on carrying capacity. They associate the effects of feeding in Corsica mainly to an increase of the carrying capacity. They affirm that, as the increase in carrying capacity in Corsica has no effect on the probability of extinction risk, then artificial feeding is ineffective. Nevertheless, the Authors admit that the artificial feeding, carried out in the way used in the Pyrenees, implies an increase of the adult survival, factor (as the same Authors write) being a deter- minant factor for the survival of the species. They discuss about the fact that an increase in this parameter in Corsica could have a large influence on the extinction probability, but they don’t consider this as a possible effect of artificial feeding. In Corsica, only 3 or 4 immature-subadult birds were present in 2002, and, since 1998 an adult partner of three different pairs has been replaced by a subadult individual (FASCE, 2002). Considering the very low number of subadult birds, together with the very low or null productivity of the Corsican pairs, it would be enough that these subadult individuals become victim of whatever negative event, to raise the extinction risk to a level, much higher than the one considered in this simulation. It is also quite possible that the survival rate estimated for Corsica is lower than the one used in this simulation (based on the situation in the Pyrenees). On the other hand, the Authors think that the artificial feeding could cause in Corsica a raise in fecundity. Although no scientific study has evaluated till now the effects of artificial feeding carried out in the Pyrenees on the fecundity of the pairs, this parameter is slightly increasing during the recent years in the French Pyrenees (RAZIN ET AL., 2004), and very good results (optimum breeding success) have recently been obtained through artificial feeding in the Spanish Catalonia (A. MAR- GALIDA, unpubl.). On the other hand, a significant lowering of the number of breeding pairs has been registered in Corsica during the last 20 years (SEGUIN ET AL., 2002); for instance 3 clutches and no young raised in 2004. It is not therefore quite evident that the kind of artificial feeding, carried out in Corsica, is sufficient to raise fecundity. Nevertheless, if the artificial feeding could raise it, the Authors would consider that it has an important effect on the survival probability of the Corsican population, and therefore that the artificial feeding could also have a positive effect on this population. In the Pyrenees, a large population of wild ungulates is present in winter, during the reproductive season of the Bearded Vulture (for instance, about 25.000 chamois for 25 pairs of Bearded Vultu- re in the French Pyrenees), and the productivity of the Pyrenean pairs is linked to factors, which hardly can be the same of Corsica: interaction with Griffon Vulture, lack of experience of the new pairs, human disturbance, etc. The food supplies in winter are in Corsica completely different (600 moufflons and some wild goat for the ten Corsican pairs) and the only territory, where there is a regular reproduction, is the one where moufflons live in sufficient number. The productivity of the Corsican population seems therefore to depend mostly on the food supplies and could be surely improved by a specific artificial feeding, of course if this was carried out in efficient way. It would have been maybe wiser if the Authors had tested the different feeding methods in Corsica, before judging the effectiveness of this kind of action. Then, if really no effect on productivity could have been detected, one could search to understand the reasons of the unproductiveness of the Corsican 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 79

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pairs and particularly turn to genetic factors. Moreover, the Authors take for granted the possibility to reach a productivity of 0.8 juv./pair/year, a record value, obtained only in the Pyrenees, Alps or Crete, where food supplies are very high. Why don’t they find that the very low productivity of the Corsican pairs (<0.2 juv./pair/year in yearly average) is quite worrying?It has not been possible to analyze the genetic factors, but they are likely decisive for fecundity of the Bearded Vulture in Cor- sica. The population could suffer of endogamy, if we take into account on the first hand the scarce number of effectives and, on the other hand, the fact that the young Bearded Vultures fledged in Corsica during the last 15 years were born for the most part of the same reproductive pool. There were no exchanges between the maximum 25 birds present in this moment and the other populations, likely since very long time, as the last attempts of reproduction of the insular and isolated population of Sardinia goes back to 1968 (SCHENK, 1977), and the hypothetical movements of young Sardinian Bearded Vultures towards Corsica during the 20th century do not necessarily imply mating and genetic contribution for the Corsican population. Furthermore, the drastic fall in the number of sheep, goats and cows present in the mountains (SEGUIN ET AL., 2002) implies a change in the environment, reduces the accessibility to carcasses and increases the time needed to find food, before and during the reproductive period, likely affecting the breeding success of Bearded Vulture. The Authors assert that all carcasses are available for the birds, but this is not true. The domestic flock dies under a thick Mediterranean maquis. Moreover, the Authors assert that the Bearded Vulture has no rivals, as the Griffon Vulture is not present, but Griffon Vultures make easier the finding and the cleaning of carcasses, aid to reach the bony parts and therefore the specific diet of Bearded Vultures. Finally, in this article, the survival rate taken into account by the Authors is probably very optimistic: with two cases of shooting found out in 15 years and a total population of less than 25 individuals, the mortality due to shooting must have reduced the population of about 10%. Other cases could happen and let this survival rate drop in a large (and therefore not negligible) way, and raise the extinction risk. To conclude, we are allowed to inquire which credibility ascribe the Authors to their article, taking into account that a new project has been deposed as European LIFE financial application: this Pro- ject actually propose to try to raise the natural and artificial food supply in the island, whilst the article demonstrate that a larger carrying capacity would not reduce at all the extinction risk. On the other hand, if, as the Authors suggest, the low productivity of the pairs derives from the natural regulation maybe linked to insularity, if the carrying capacity of the island is bigger than the number of effectives present on the island, if the population shows a well-known stability, if the birds are able to raise their effort to look for food, in order to counterbalance the food shortage, if the survival rate is likely high and if there is no need to worry about the genetic factor, why does an extinction risk exist and why to reinforce the population with reintroduction? We hope nevertheless, if the genetic factor is not a limiting factor, that some result – in productivity – may at last be obtained in Corsica, thank to a method and an effective realization of artificial feeding.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BRETAGNOLLE V., INCHAUSTI P., S EGUIN J.-F., THIBAULT J.-C. (2004). Evaluation of the extinction risk and of conservation alternatives for a very small insular population: the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus in Corsica. Biological Conservation 120:19-30. FASCE P. & FASCE L., (2002). Notes sur la dynamique de la population de Gypaète barbu en Corse. LPO Fir (Ed), 2002. Actes du Colloque international « Conservation des populations de Gypaète barbu ». Paris, LPO. RAZIN M., TERRASSE J.-F., SEGUIN J.-F., CLEMENTE C. (2004). « Gypaète barbu », pp 44-47, in Thiollay J-M. et Bretagnolle V. (coord.), Rapaces nicheurs de France, Distribution, effectifs et conservation, Delachaux et Niestlé, Paris. SCHENK H, 1977.- Status and conservation of birds of prey in Sardinia, pp 132-136 in : Chancellor R.D. (ed), World conference on Birds of Prey, Report of proceedings, International Council for Bird Preservation, London. SEGUIN J.-F., TORRE J., THIBAULT J.-C., HUGOT L., ROBERT I., BRETAGNOLLE V., 2002.- Evolution de la population insulaire de Gypaète barbu (Gypaetus barbatus) de Corse au cours des vingt dernières années in : LPO-FIR (ed). Actes du colloque international « Conservation des populations de Gypaète barbu ». Paris. LPO : 83-87.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank JEAN FRANÇOIS TERRASSE for revising this text. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 80

78 Autochthonous Populations 2004

Looking for Birds of Prey on Crete – November 2004 (A privatly undertaken research)

by Bruno Bethémy*, Céline Clémente**, Sébastien Didier***, Jérôme Isambert****, Guy Joncour ***** & Martine Razin ******

SUMMARY

- A new pair of Bearded Vultures was discovered in the National Park of Samaria (quite different from the pair at the periphery); copulations were observed and a preferred cliff was con- ﬁrmed. - The breeding pair of Bearded Vultures, discovered in 2003, rebuilt a „new“ nest, which had probably been used before. - The territory occupied by a single adult Bearded Vulture in 2003 appears to have been abandoned in 2004, and is now occupied by a pair of Bonell’s Eagles who have a nest close to the former Bearded Vulture eyrie. - One territory to the east of the Lefka Ori with (at least) one Bearded Vulture (over 4 years old), which behaves territorially. - The breeding pair of Bearded Vultures followed by the Life/Crete team is well present. - A pair of Golden Eagles with two young was found in the Eliga gorges. - Dispersed colonies of Griffon Vultures were observed on the southern slopes of the Lefka Ori.

Abbreviations used : P = primary, S = secondary, R = rectrix, i = inner side, c = central, BV = Bearded Vulture, GV =Griffon Vulture

BEARDED VULTURE NEST SITE DISCOVERED IN 2003 (PAIR OF BEARDED VULTURES, EGGS AND A YOUNG BIRD ON THE WING IN 2004). 11:40: one adult BV flies towards the nest site of 2003; 12:43 an adult BV (not moulting) flies in front of the cliff with the nest of 2003 and lands in sight of the cliff.; 12:53 the same BV flies off, circles and lands halfway opposite the nest (preening); at 13:16 the same BV attacks a Raven and is joined by a second BV (not moulting) coming from the south; the two BV fly together to the north; at 14:20 an adult BV coming from the north is joined by its companion which lands on the „new“ eyrie freshly covered with wool and consisting of a considerable mass of material piled up more than one metre high; the nest of 2004 is only about twenty metres away from the one of 2003; the adult BV leaves the eyrie, joins the other one, and the pair lands halfway in sight of the cliff (billing); at 14:36 one of the two BV flies off to the north, while the other feeds.

22/11 : ARADENA AND AGIOS IOANNIS (SOUTHWEST OF LEFKA ORI – BETWEEN SFAKIA AND SAMARIA). at 14:00 one adult BV (tailfeathers worn), coming from Leka-Ori, ﬂies to the south at an altitude of about 500 metres towards the area of the gorges of Aradena. At 15:00 a BV (not moulting), coming from the northwest, ﬂies over the village of Agios Ioannis in a southeasterly direction at an altitude of less than 500 metres. A gathering of about 30 GV between Sfakia and Aradena. Colony of GV in the gorges of Aradena. A pair of Golden Eagles is constantly present in the area.

23/11 : ARADENA AND ELIGA GORGES (GORGES ARE TO THE WEST OF AGIOS IOANNIS AND IMMEDIA- TELY EAST OF SAMARIA). At 12:50 one adult BV (moulting of a primary on the right side) ﬂies from the south to the north over the gorges of Eliga; at 13:55 skims the ridge between the gorges of Eliga and those of Samaria at an altitude of about 1700 metres (this spot will be mentioned as X hereafter); at 14:50 an adult BV (moulting of a primary on the right side) comes down at the same spot X as the BV of 13:55;

* 18 rue du château, 12100 Saint-Geniez, France. ** Marie-Etage, 1, F-12720 Peyreleau, France [email protected] ***47 rue C. De Gaulle, 67880 Immenhein, France. **** 47, rue de Normandie, F-28119 Luce, France *****Kervellan, 22160 Callac, France ******M.Razin. Coordination Casseur d’os. LPO. 170 Ch. Ximikoarenborda - F – 64210 Ahetze, France. [email protected] 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 81

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at 14:55 an adult BV (without moulting) appears over „X“ and disappears in a cloud; at 15:00 an adult BV lands at X on the crest, its breast orange-coloured in the rays of the setting sun; at 15:15 a second BV lands and tries to copulate after which the two BV remain sitting side by side (billing, preening) while showing the same colouration of their underparts; at 15:42 a copulation of the BV during 7-8 minutes (the male shows no moulting, while the female has most visibly moulting of P at the right wing) after which the male ﬂies away and is lost from sight; at 15:54 the pair is observed- ﬂying in a westerly direction. A pair of Golden eagles (with two young) is ever present in the gorge of Eliga.

24/11 : ARGOULES AND RODAKINO (A SERIES OF GORGES STRETCHING TOWARDS TO THE SOUTH COAST AND SITUATED TO THE SOUTHEAST OF LEFKA ORI). At 12:40 an immature (juv./im.) ﬂying with wing-beats is pursued by a probably adult BV(ad/sub.), the two BV’s while clutching each other’s claws, moved rapidly from the upper part of the gorges of Rodakino (Krioneritis) to the west and disappeared behind the massif above Argoules (rain put an end to observations). A colony of GV in the gorge of Argoules. Peregrine Falcon.

25/11 : ARGOULES AND RODAKINO. At 11:00 one BV (ad./sub.) is brieﬂy observed in the upper part of the gorges of Rodakino which seem to be favoured by the BV (bad weather conditions).

26/11 : IRINI GORGES (WESTERN FLANK OF THE LEFKA ORI). Three hours of observation in this magniﬁcent gorge, but not a single large raptor was seen. GV’s in the southern part of the Lefka Ori. A Peregrine Falcon in the upper part of the gorges.

27/11 : SOUGIA AND THE BV SITE FOLLOWED BY THE LIFE/CRETE TEAM (SOUTHWEST OF THE LEFKA ORI). At 10:40 a young BV (characteristically a bird of the year but with symmetrical notches between the body and the S) flying between Sougia and the known BV site; at 11:40 an adult BV (apparently not moulting) flies over the BV site; at 11:45 an adult BV ( a Pi on the left lacking) flies over the site 11:50 and 11:55 an adult Bv observed flying; 12:00 the pair flies (no moulting of a P on the right as shown by the female of the BV pair at Samaria); at 12:35 an adult BV ( Pi on the left missing) flies westwards, following its companian at an interval of a few minutes; between 12:50 and 13:00, an adult BV (collar and moulting of Rc) overflies the site; at 13:15 the same adult BV (moulting of Rc) lands on the stony hill that dominates the area, picks up a bone and swallows it; at 12:20 another adult BV flies over it and at 13:30 the sitting adult BV (moulting of Rc) flies off to land high up on an imposing cliff, but out of sight; at 13:50 an adult BV (Pi missing on the left) flies over the site in a westerly direction. GV omnipresent. A pair of Short-toed Eagle. Golden Eagle. Numerous series of cliffs.

28/11 : SAMARIA (NATIONAL PARK IN THE CENTRE OF THE LEFKA ORI). At 13:15 an adult BV flies over site X and lands on the crest at the same spot like on 23/11; at 13:20 the BV flies off to land beside a second one, and significant wingbeats indicate a copulation; one of the BV flies off to land again at almost the same spot before flying off again at 14:43 to disappear behind a cloud around the mountaintops; at 15:15 an adult BV flies over the area X and disappears into the clouds; at 15:16 the pair of BV flies in the same area (and is lost from sight behind a cloud); at 15:46 the BV pair flies over area X and dive probably with the intention to land on a cliff some- where out of sight; at 15:48 the pair of BV is flying again but disappears behind a cloud; at 15:50 the BV pair flies over area X and dives towards the same invisible cliff at an altitude of about 1500 metres and southsoutheast oriented, lower and opposite the crest where copulation took place on 23/11 and 28/11. Cretan Ibex. GV. Golden Eagle.

29/11 : ZOURVA (GORGE ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE LEFKA ORI – BV SITE DISCOVERED IN 2003 WHERE A SINGLE ADULT WAS FOUND TO HAVE REBUILT A NEST). One pair of Bonelli’s Eagle (2 adults) occupy a nest in the gorge opposite the BV nest of 2003 that not has been rebuilt; the two eyries are at a distance of 200-300 metres from each other. No BV has been observed (site probably abandoned by BV and reoccupied by the Bonelli’s Eagles). 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 82

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One Spotted Eagle.

31/11 : GRAMVOUSA (PENINSULA IN THE NORTHWEST OF THE ISLAND) One Golden Eagle. A pair of Peregrine Falcons.

Feasibility Study on the Reintroduction of the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) in Sardinia

by Helmar Schenk *, Mauro Aresu** & Nanni Marras ***

1. INTRODUCTION Up to 50 years ago Sardinia (24.090 km2), the second largest island of the Mediterranean, had important breeding populations of the Griffon, Black and Bearded Vulture (SCHENK, 1976). The only species among the three large European vultures still reproducing on the island is the Griffon which has been the object of conservation measures since 1974 and now confined to north-western Sar- dinia (ARESU & SCHENK, 2004). The Black and the Bearded Vulture (BV) have become extinct as breeding species: the former in about 1961 and the latter in 1967/68 (SCHENK, 1976). A preliminary feasibility analysis concerning re-enforcement and reintroduction projects for the Grif- fon, Black and Bearded Vulture in Sardinia was carried out by SCHENK (1976; 1977) who calculated for the 1970s a potential range for the BV of about 4.500 km2 in central-eastern Sardinia and a further 400 km2 in the Iglesiente Mountains, estimating an optimal density of 20-30 individuals with 6-8 breeding pairs: Monte Limbara and mountains between Olbia and Nuoro (1-2 pairs), Supra- monte of Oliena/Orgosolo (2 pairs), the calcareous area between Dorgali, Urzulei and Baunei (1-2 pairs), Sarrabus/Gerrei/Salto di Quirra (1 pair) and Iglesiente mountains (1 pair). More recently SCHENK & GENERO (1996) carried out a feasibility study for the reintroduction of the Black Vulture on behalf of LIPU (BirdLife) and the Autonomous Region of Sardinia and a preliminary study on the reintroduction of the BV, concluding positively for the Black Vulture and discou- raging a priority intervention in favour of Gypaetus barbatus, especially in relation to the difficulty of obtaining founders, to the lack of suitable public structures for the technical management of the project as well as of protected areas in Sardinia and finally in relation to the high financial costs of such a project (cf. IUCN, 1995). The reintroduction project for Aegypius monachus was interrupted due to a temporary return of poisoned baits in the Bosa district in north-western Sardinia (ARESU & SCHENK, 2004). For several years the Sardinian "Forester Association” – ASSFOR – has been launching the idea of a reintroduction project of the BV in Sardinia, conducting information initiatives in some areas of the island (GRAZIANO, 2002; PINTUS, 2003). The objective of the present study is to evaluate the ecological and socio-cultural feasibility of the reintroduction of the BV as a keystone-flagship species in Sardinia. We have tried to bear in mind the "Guidelines for Reintroductions” (IUCN/SSC, 1995), the indications of D.P.R. no.120/2003 concerning the application of the Habitat Directive in Italy, the positive experience of the international project concerning the reintroduction of the BV in the Alps, started in 1978 (IUCN, 1979; ROBIN ET AL., 2004), the reintroduction of the Griffon and Black Vulture in France (TERRASSE et al., 2004) as well as experience acquired in Sardinia in relation to re-stocking programmes and conservation projects in favour of the Griffon Vulture (SCHENK & ARESU, 1992; ARESU & SCHENK, 2004). All these projects have been or are carried out with the participation of biologists, representatives of conservation organizations, government departments and universities, directors and veterinarians of zoological gardens and managers of protected areas. The "FOUNDATION FOR THE CONSERVATION OF THE BEARDED VULTURE”, created in the 1980s and the owner of the majority of breeding pairs in the different international reproduction stations, is playing an important role in the framework of the reintroduction of the BV in the Alps. The "Foundation” organizes annual conferences, publishes its Annual Report and guarantees the indispensable coordination and information flow on conservation projects concerning this interesting species.

* Corrisponding author: [email protected]; Via dei Visconti, 51, I - 09131 Cagliari, Italy; ** Via Crispi, 5; I - 08015 Macomer, Italy; *** 3 Via IV Novembre; I - 08038 Sorgono, Italy. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 83

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2. HISTORICAL DISTRIBUTION AND NUMBERS The historical distribution, an estimation of numbers and the observations of BV’s during the last 40 years in Sardinia are illustrated, evaluating the degree of reliability of all data.

2.1 HISTORICAL DISTRIBUTION, 1875 – 1967 The distribution of the BV in Sardinia has been reconstructed (FIGURES 1-3) for the 1875-1967 period, based on bibliography, an inquiry (1969/70) in 40 Sardinian municipalities concerning the distribution of ﬁve large birds of prey: Griffon, Black and Bearded Vulture, Sea Eagle, Golden EAGLE (SCHENK, unpublished), a systematic research during the last 30 years among rural populations (shepherds, hunters) and an inquiry adressed to Italian, European and North-American natural museums and private collections containing skins, mounted specimens, skeletons and eggs of BV from Sardinia. All data have been critically evaluated. In Annex 1 data are summarized concerning 139 samples (122 skins, mounted specimens, skeletons and 17 eggs) of BV’s from Sardinia, the result of an inquiry involving some 190 natural museum and private collections. The number of certain samples may be lowered by at least two units because two skeletons in the A. Koenig Museum /Bonn/Germany may belong to two mounted specimens in the Museum für Naturkunde Magdeburg/Germany (PELLMANN, in litt.; cf. Annex 1).

Further 10 samples (cf. TABLE 1) are of possible or probable Sardinian origin: 1 at Fermo/Italy (SALVADORI, 1865; VIOLANI et al., 1997), 3 at Schaffhausen/Switzerland (STEMMLER, 1932), 1 at Chur/Switzerland (GAUTSCHI, in litt.); 4 at Göte- borg/Sweden (NILSON in litt.), 1 at Helsinki/Finland (STJERNBERG, in litt.).

Table 1. Destination of Bearded Vultures (skins, mounted specimens, skeletons) of probable or possible Sar- dinian origin, 2004

Possible or S k i n , Country Museum, Collection Sex Notes probable mounted Collection Year age collection area skeleton (pu=public; pr=private) class Sardinia 1 Italy (1) Fermo - pu < 1865 M immat Salvadori, 1865; Violani et al. , 1997; Pazzi & Violani, ex verbis Sardinia 1 Chur - pu 1895 ? Gautschi, in litt .; BNM 758 Sardinia 1 Switzerland (4) Schaffhausen - pr < 1932 skeleton Stemmler, 1932 Sardinia 1 Schaffhausen - pr < 1932 skeleton Stemmler, 1932 Sardinia 1 Schaffhausen - pr < 1932 skeleton Stemmler, 1932 Italy-Sardinia? 1 Göteborg - pu 1896 M ad. bought from Dr. Girtanner, Sweden (4) bought from Dr. Girtanner, Nilson, in litt. Italy-Sardinia? 1 Göteborg - pu 1896 F ad. bought from Dr. Girtanner, Nilson, in litt. Italy-Sardinia? 1 Göteborg - pu 1896 F immat. bought from Dr. Girtanner, Nilson, in litt. Italy-Sardinia? 1 Göteborg -pu 1896 pullus bought from Dr. Girtanner, Nilson, in litt. Europe merid. 1 Finland (1) Helsinki - pu appr. 1870 ? Stjernberg, in litt. TOTAL SPECIMENS 1 0

Fifty-nine (42.4%) of the 139 samples are referred generically to Sardinia and 80 (57.6%) are refe- rable to a precise geographical locality of the island (cf. FIG. 4). Forty-three samples (53.8%) were collected in the key-area of the historical range of the BV including the Ogliastra, Supramonte and Gennargentu districts, followed by the Sulcis district with 13 samples (16.3%) and the Iglesiente district with 8 samples (10.0%); then come Monti di Alà and the area between Olbia and Nuoro; Sarrabus; Limbara; Sassari and Campidano (cf. ANNEX 1 and FIG. 5). The only specimen from outside the breeding range was collected near Sardara in 1821 in the Campidano Plain (TOFFOLI, in litt.). The inquiry on the distribution of large Sardinian raptors in the 1960s (SCHENK, unpub.) produced positive and reliable results for the following municipalities: Budduso, Siniscola, Oliena, Orgosolo, Urzulei, Talana, Fonni and Gadoni. GRAZIANI & ATZENI (1997) and LEDDA (in Graziani, 2002) conﬁr- med the historical presence of the BV for Monte Limbara (presumably for the 1920s-30s), the Monti di Alà and Supramonte areas. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 84

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Figure 1. Historical distribution (10 km squares) of the Figure 2. Historical distribution (10 km squares) of the Bearded Vulture in Sardinia, 1875 – 1945 Bearded Vulture in Sardinia, 1946- 1955

FIGURE 1 illustrates the distribution of the BV in Sardinia for the 1875-1945 period. The range com- prised Monte Limbara in the north, Monti di Alà, Monte Nieddu, Monte Albo, Supramonte, Gennar- gentu, Ogliastra mountains and the south-eastern massifs of the Sarrabus-Gerrei district. Separa- ted by the Campidano Plain there was an isolated range in the south-western part of the island including the Sulcis-Iglesiente mountains, but also the sea cliffs of Teulada (cf. Annex 1). Smaller isolated nuclei were found in the north-western part of Sardinia, near Sassari (Bunnari). Breeding has been evaluated possible, probable or confirmed in eighty-one 10 km squares (27.4% of the Sar- dinian’s 296 squares). Confirmed breeding has been proofed at least once in 35 squares (43.2% of the 81 squares where the species has been recorded); probable breeding in 17 squares (21.0%) and possible breeding in 29 squares (35.8%). It is highly probable that at the beginning of the 20th century the BV was a breeding species also in other parts of the island where unfortunately the collection of oral testimonies was difficult because the direct witnesses (shepherds, hunters) were no longer alive. For the 1946-55 period breeding has been evaluated as confirmed, probable or possible in 39 squares (13.2% of the total of 296) with an estimated total of 10-4 breeding pairs concentrated in the central-eastern part of the island and single pairs in the north-east, in the south-east and in the Iglesiente mountains. Confirmed breeding has been proofed in 13 squares (33.3%) at least in one of the 10 years considered (cf. FIGURE 2). For the 1956-67 period breeding has been considered confirmed, probable or possible in 26 squares (8.8% of the total number of 296). Reproduction was certain in 6 squares (23.1% of the total of 26 positive squares) and 5 of them (83.3%) were situated in the calcareous mountains of Supra- monte and one in the northern part of the island (cf. FIGURE 3). The breeding pairs were 3 or 4 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 85

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(Supramonte and Monti di Alà), dropping to one in 1967, the last year with successful breeding in central-eastern Sardinia (SCHENK, 1974; 1976; MUSCAU, ex verbis; SANCIU, in litt.). The last Supramonte pair from Fruncu sos Cuzzos/Orgosolo was present in the area up to 1969 (MUSCAU, ex verbis; SCHENK, 1974; 1976). The last breeding attempts of the Monte Lerno pair/Buddusò/Monti di Alà are to be collocated in the 1965-67 period (SANCIU, in litt.; SCHENK, 1976). In TABLE 2 an hypothesis is advanced concerning numbers of the Sardinian population of BV for the different periods between 1870 and 2002, taking into account, as far as possible, the population structure based on collected specimens. The estimates are to be considered with caution (cf. for the western Alps Mingozzi & Balletto, 1996) and should represent minimum values.

2.2 RECENT RECORDS, 1962-2002 Information concerning published and unpublished observations of BV’s in Sardinia have been collected and critically evaluated (* = low formal reliability; ** = not bad formal reliability; *** = good formal reliability) for the last 40 years. SCHENK (1976) supposed optimi- stically for the 1970s still 2-3 (4?) BV’s present in Sar- dinia. The observations during the 1960s and 1970s probably refer to the last individuals of the Sardinian population and the data between 1980 and 2002 may refer to birds from Corsica and/or the western Alps. However, the following list is to be considered incom- plete, especially concerning the 1960s and will be integrated with further data based on speciﬁc investi- Figure 3. Historical distribution (10 km squares) of the gations among shepherds, especially in central- Bearded Vulture in Sardinia, 1956 – 1967 eastern Sardinia. Seven (43.8%) of the 16 data have been classiﬁed as having good formal reliability, 5 data (31.3%) not bad formal reliability and the remaining 4 data (25.0%) low formal reliability.

1962 1 immature ind. observed in the Limbara mountains (E. BUA, ex verbis); * 1964 1 ind. observed bone breaking in the Talana mountains (SERRA, ex verbis); *** 1966 1 ind. in the Supramonte of Orgosolo (fide F. P RATESI, in SCHENK, 1974); ** March 1969 1 ind. flying near Monte Lerno/Buddusò (F. SANCIU, in litt.); *** 1968 1 ind. observed in the Gennargentu mountains of Fonni (L. MELONI, in litt.); * 1969 the last observation of the pair from Fruncu sos Cuzzos/Orgosolo (MUSCAU, in SCHENK, 1974; 1976); *** 1969 1 ind. observed in the Monte Albo of di Siniscola (S. MUGNO, in litt.); * September 1970 probably 1 immature ind. observed at Monte Spada/Fonni (DIESSELHORST, 1971);** December 1970 probably 1 ind. flying at Monte Lora/San Vito (fide G. MELONI, in SCHENK, 1976); * 23/06/1972 2 adults in the Monti di Alà (SCHENK, 1974; 1976); *** 29/03/1977 1 ind. photographed in the Supramonte of Oliena (RUIU, 1981); *** 17/11/1977 1 ind. together with 2 Griffon vultures soaring over Serra Loduno/Urzulei (SCHENK, ined.); ** 14/02/1980 1 ind. near Punta Cristallo/Alghero (RUIU, 1981 and ex verbis); *** 10/10/1986 1 ind. near Cantoniera di Pira e’Onni/Villagrande (CANARGIU, ex verbis); ** 05/05/1991 1 ind. mobbed by a Raven and 3 Mediterranean herring gulls near Laconi (GUILLOSSON, in litt. to C. DETTORI); *** 22/06/2002 1 adult a few km north of Bosa (M. RIGHI in GRUSSU, 2003; fide BACCETTI; RIGHI, in litt.). ** 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 86

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Table 2. Estimated numbers of Bearded Vultures in Sardinia, 1870 – 2002

PERIOD BREEDING INDIVIDUALS SPECIMENS SOURCE PAIRS (EGGS) COLLECTED

1870-1900 40-35 150-125 >15 (3) BROOKE, 1873; GIGLIOLI, 1886; present study 1901-1920 35-20 125-65 >41 (9) ARRIGONI DEGLI ODDI, 1929; 1931; MARTORELLI, 1960; present study 1921-1945 20-10 65-35 >21 (3) STEMMLER, 1932; MOLTONI, 1949; FOSCHI, 1984; present study 1946-1966 10-2 35-5 >10 BEZZEL, 1957; SCHENK, 1974; 1976, 1977; RUIU, >10 killed by poisoned 1981; SCHENK & GENERO, 1996; present study baits? 1967 1 5? ? SCHENK, 1974; 1976; 1977; RUIU, 1981; SCHENK (last breeding attempt & GENERO, 1996; present study 1969?) 1968-2002 0 1-2? ? individuals from Corsica and/or the Alps?

3 CAUSES OF EXTINCTION

SALMEN (1980) and KLEMM & KOHL (1988) documented the extinction process of the BV in Rumania (cf. GLUTZ V. BLOTZ- HEIM ET AL., 1971) attributing the population crash in the 19th century principally to persecution by hunters and the extirpation in the ﬁnal phase to the use of poisoned baits (strychnine) for predator control.

For the western Alps (France, Italy) MINGOZZI & ESTÈVE (1997) and MINGOZZI & BALLETTO (1996) discussed historical data on the former range and the extirpation causes of the BV based on bibliography and museum and private collection samples. At the beginning of the 20th century the species was still present in only 5 areas. The last breeding records are from about 1910 while the species probably survived for further 15-20 years; the last reliable observations are from 1924 and 1930. The causes of extinction were attributed mainly to persecution (collection for taxidermy and pest control). MINGOZZI & ESTÈVE (l.c.) however are of the opinion that their data analysed are still insufficient to conﬁrm persecution as the major cause of extirpation, even though the evidence suggests this hypothesis (cf. FASCE & FASCE 1992). The direct human-induced causes of decline and extinction of the BV in Sardinia are principally har- vesting (collection of skins, eggs, trophies), followed by hunting, poaching, occasional killing and plundering of eyries; among indirect human induced causes of extinction the use of poisoned baits (strychnine; arsenic compounds; DDT) for pest control (Vulpes vulpes, feral dogs; locusts; Ano- pheles labranchiae – the malaria vector) probably played a major role during the 1950s. These principal causes have been accompanied by a general decline in livestock mortality, a progressive increase in the human population and roads, which together augmented human pressure on the last wilderness areas of the island (SCHENK, 1976; SCHENK & GENERO, 1996).

3.1 COLLECTION In TABLE 3 and FIGURE 4 data are summarized concerning samples of BV from natural museum and private Italian, European and North-American collections. Collection appears to have been the main cause of the strong decline in the Sardinian population during the 1870-1934 period: 93 specimens killed (comprising 5 pulli) and 15 eggs collected – all legally, with a total of 108 samples or 84.4% of the 128 dated samples. Particularly "proﬁtable” was the 1901-10 period with 47 samples (41 specimens; 6 eggs), corresponding to 36.7% of the 128 dated samples (cf. also HIRALDO ET AL., 1979). The 8 specimens (6.3%) dated between 1939 and 1962 have been collected illegally, because the BV has been legally protected in Italy since 1939 (CONDER, 1977). The geographical distribution of 79 samples collected in the Sardinian breeding range of the BV is shown in FIGURE 5. The Supramonte, Ogliastra and Gennargentu range, the key-area of the species, "produced” 43 samples (54.4%), followed by the Sulcis area (13 samples), the Iglesiente mountains (8 samples) and the other breeding areas. Out of the 72 individuals shot (1821–1962) of which the sex is known (including also undated samples), 47 (65.3%) were males and 25 (34.7%) females. Thus the sex ratio was 1:0.53 showing nearly a two-fold incidence of killed males in relation to females. This difference is statistically sig- niﬁcant according to the chi-squared test (_2 = 6,72; P = <0,01). MINGOZZI & ESTÈVE (1997) report 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 87

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Table 3. Bearded Vultures from Sardinia in natural museum and private collections (Sardinia, Italy, Europe, North America), 1821 – 1962

NUMBER OF SPECIMENS PERIOD SKINS, SKELE- TONS AND EGGS TOTAL MOUNTED 1821 - 1900 29 5 34 1901 - 1910 41 6 47 1911 - 1920 13 3 16 1921 - 1930 14 - 14 1931 – 1940 7 3 10 1941 – 1950 1 - 1 1951 - 1962 6 - 6 undated 11 - 11 1821 - 1962 122 17 139

nearly identical ﬁgures, statistically not signiﬁ- cant, for the western Alps concerning a sample of 17 individuals: 11 males (64.7%) and 6 females (35.3%). In Sardinia many adults have been killed near or on the nest, sometimes male and female, for example: numbers 9; 33; 43/44; 93/94 of ANNEX 1. Out of 77 specimens of which age classes are known, 47 (61.0%) were adults, 9 (11.7%) were immatures, 16 (20.8%) were juveniles and 5 (6.5%) were pulli. Sixty-seven samples (48.2%) were actually conserved in collections in Italy, 23 (16.6%) in Germany, 15 (10.8%) in the United States, 13 (9.4%) in Switzerland, 7 (5.0%) in the United Kingdom, 7 (5.0%) in France, 3 (2.2%) in the Netherlands, 1 (0.7%) in Sweden, 1 (0.7%) probably in Hungary and 2 (1.4%) in unknown collections.

3.2 PERSECUTION AND POACHING In TABLE 4 the known cases of persecution and poaching are summarized. Out of 125 killed individuals (1821-1962) twelve (9.6%) were collected illegally (1939 – 1962), among them 2 pulli taken from the nest in south-eastern Sardinia: 1945 and 1946 (SCHENK, 1977). There are 2 known cases of BV’s captured in a fox trap: 1931 near Seui (ﬁde MOI & ARESU) and 1955 near Padru (RUIU, 1997) and two cases of BV’s killed with sticks: 1956 near Padru (SORRENTI, in litt; SCHENK, 1977) and Figure 4. Distribution of 139 specimens (skins, mounted, skeletons, 1962 near Baunei (SCHENK, 1976). eggs) of Bearded Vultures collected in Sardinia, 1821 – 1962 (the box refers generally to Sardinia) 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 88

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Table 4. Bearded vultures killed or collected illegally in Sardinia, 1939 - 1962

NUMBER OF SPECIMENS SOURCE PERIOD IN COLLECTIONS UNKNOWN TOTAL

1939 - 1950 2 2 pulli 4 SCHENK, 1977; present study 1951 - 1962 6 2 8 SCHENK, 1976; 1977; RUIU, 1997; present study 1939 - 1962 8 4 12

Figure 5. Distribution of 79 specimens of Bearded Vultures (skins, Sassari 2 (3%) mounted, skeletons, eggs) collected in 10 geographical breeding areas of Limbara Sardinia, 1835 – 1962 3 (4%)

Sarrabus Ogliastra/Supramonte/ 5 (6%) Gennargentu 43 (55%)

Monti di Alà/Olbia 5 (6%)

Iglesiente 8 (10%)

Sulcis 13 (16%)

3.3 POISONED BAITS There are no proofs of BV’s killed by poisoned baits (strychnine) put out to control foxes and feral dogs which damage livestock of Sardinian shepherds. The use of poisoned baits was legally possible up to 1976 and particularly fre-quent in the 1950s and 1960s in the Gennargentu-Supramon- te area, in the Sulcis-Iglesiente districts and in the south-eastern part of the island, reducing signi- ﬁcantly the numbers of Griffon Vultures which became extinct locally in many areas (SCHENK, 1976; 1977; 1986; RUIU, 1981; SCHENK & GENERO, 1996; ARESU & SCHENK, 2004). It is highly probable that also Black and Bearded Vultures were killed by poisoned baits. BASOCCU (ex verbis) referred to the intentional killing of one or two BV’s for taxidermy purposes in the Ogliastra districts in the 1950s (not considered in TABLE 5). During the 1979-2003 period, HEREDIA (2003) attributed 40% of BV mortality causes (14 cases) in the Spanish Pyrenees to the use of poisoned baits.

3.4 FOOD SHORTAGE Concerning food resources, the three species of large Sardinian vultures were dependent on carcasses of free-ranging livestock (sheep, goat, cattle, horses and swine), locally integrated by carrion of wild ungulates such as Mouﬂon, Wild Boar, Corsican Red Deer and Fallow Deer (SCHENK ET AL., 1987). In TABLE 5 numbers of livestock species are illustrated for some selected years from the beginning of the 20th century up to 1961. The progressive increase in sheep and the decrease in goats, horses, cattle and swine are evident. Mortality rates were rather high, reaching 50 % for cattle (car- buncle) due to insufficient veterinary assistance. Only from the 1950s did a signiﬁcant improvement in the hygienic conditions of livestock raising take place with a consequent decrease in mortality rates and less carrion available for vultures. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 89

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In 2003 research on mortality rates of livestock was carried out in an area of 46 km2 in the Bosa region (north-western Sardi- nia), in the framework of a conservation project for the Griffon Vulture. The annual mortality rate of sheep was 10.1% and 14.1 % for goats (MOZZO, in ARESU ET AL., 2004). Similar values should be expected in other districts of Sardinia with free-ranging domestic livestock (cf. also SCHENK et al., 1987). - HEREDIA

Mouﬂons in the Gennargentu Mountains, Sardinia Photo: N. MARRAS, Italy (1991) indicates for the range of the BV in the Spanish Pyrenees mortality rates for sheep and goats in only 3%. The carcasses of these two domestic species, integrated in winter by those of the Chamois constitute the principal food resources for this species. HIRALDO ET AL. (1979) evaluated the medium need of trophic resources for one pair of BV and its chick as a minimum of 350 kg/year or about 50 carcasses of sheep or Chamois. CLOUET (1984) calculated theoretically ca. 7 kg of bones available in the eastern Pyrenees from every carcass (sheep, Chamois) and concluded that the availability of food for three territorial pairs of BV is more than ten times higher than their real need of trophic resources.

Table 5. Number of livestock in Sardinia, 1908-1961 (selected years)

LIVESTOCK CATEGORIES AND NUMBERS YEAR SHEEP GOATS HORSES CATTLE SWINE

1908 1,876,741 506,966 89,854 376,606 158,022 1930 2,054,138 436,202 101,691 240,564 102,063 1941 2,015,323 399,025 72,016 220,956 95,202 1951 2,385,380 512,010 83,760 211,270 103,710 1961 2,384, 800 358,000 58,900 224,500 120,950 Source. Compendio Statistico della Regione Sarda, 1960-61.

Also bearing in mind that not all carcasses could be reached by the BV’s as well as competition for food resources with other carrion feeders (Gyps fulvus, Aegypius monachus, Milvus milvus, Aquila chrysaetos, Corvus corax, Corvus corone; Sus scrofa, Vulpes vulpes; pig, dog), it is reasonable to suppose that food resources in Sardinia were more than sufficient both at the beginning of the 20th century and in the 1960s with only few birds left (cf. TABLES 1 and 5).

3.5 HABITAT LOSS AND FRAGMENTATION Precise habitat losses are difficult to measure and habitat fragmentation is a less obvious, but also an insidious threat to species. Since the beginning of the 20th century Sardinia has undergone numerous environmental modifications and transformations which have negatively influenced the habitat quality of the BV and other Sardinian wildlife: increased road network, agricultural reforms, power lines, dams, industrial and tourist settlements, mainly along the coastline. All these interventions are correlated with the human population increase and development which have caused progressive habitat loss and fragmentation, thus reducing the BV’s preferred environment and creating a significant impact of human disturbance, especially in the vicinity of breeding sites. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 90

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Former breeding habitat of the Bearded Vulture in Sardinia.

Photo: M. ARESU, Italy

Table 6. Resident population and population density in Sardinia, 1871 – 2001

YEAR 1871 1901 1911 1921 1931 1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 Population (inhabitants) 636,000 796,000 868,000 885,000 984,000 1,276,000 1,419,000 1,474,000 1,594,000 1,648,000 1,632,000 Population density 26 33 36 37 41 53 59 61 66 68 68 (inh/km2)

Source. Istat (1994; 2005)

The resident human population increased in Sardinia between 1871 and 2001 by 157% (cf. TABLE 6). Present demographic density is 68 inhabitants/km2, varying at the provincial level between 38 (Nuoro) and 110 (Cagliari). Roads have undesirable effects, especially on endangered species (Bear, Wolf, Lynx, Tetraonidae, raptors, Bearded Vul- ture), that require large areas of undisturbed environment (PLACHTER, 1991; NEWTON, 1979). Roads fracture natural or nearly natural ecosystems and also facilitate recreational access to these areas by tourists, hunters and the general public and increasing human disturbance. The length of roads (national, provincial, municipal, agricultural) per unit area, generally expressed in km of road/100 km2, is a simple indicator of the apportionment of the remaining habitat into smaller, more isolated pieces of an area. If human disturbance is heavy and frequent in the vicinity of an occupied breeding site of the BV, the pair may even desert the site forever (LAYNA & RICO, 1991). DONAZAR (1993) underlined occasional breeding failures of BV’s in the Spanish Pyrenees caused by bird-watchers and photographers, army manoeuvres, Wild Boar hunters, mountain gliders and mountain climbers and found that breeding success was negatively correlated with the density of paved roads. Decrea- sed breeding success of Bald Eagles was observed by ANTHONY & ISAACS (1989) in the Oregon Cascades/Canada with proximity to clearcuts. TABLE 7 illustrates the development of national and provincial roads in Sardinia for the 1951-2001 period and some indicators which correlated the roads with the resident human population and the surface. The Sardinian road network has increased by 138.5% and the availability of national and provincial roads per 10,000 inhabitants by 86.4%, while the population increased during the same period only by 27.9%. Comparing these values, referring to 2000, with those concerning Italy, it is seen that Sardinia (52.2 km) has a higher availability of roads/10,000 inhabitants than the mean Italian ﬁgure (29.2 km), corresponding to +78.8%. On the other hand, Sardinian road density (km/100 km2) is 36.1% lower than the mean Italian value (cf. TABLE 7). The increase in the main road network from 1951 to 1961 probably had only a marginal effect on the extinction process of the BV in Sardinia by providing easier public access to island’s wilderness 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 91

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Table 7. Road network (national and provincial) in Sardinia, 1951–2000 (selected years) and in Italy, 2000

ROAD CATEGORY AND KM KM/10.000 YEAR KM/100 KM2 INHABITANTS STATE PROVINCIAL TOTAL

1951 1,448 2,121 3,569 14.8 28.0 1961 2,179 3,379 5,558 23.1 39.2 1991 2,939 5,216 8,155 33.9 49.5 2000 3,097 5,417 8,514 35.3 52.2 Italy 2000 46,556 119,644 166,200 55.2 29.2 Source. Compendio Statistico della Regione Sarda, 1960-61; Annuario Statistico della Sardegna, 1994; 2003

areas and increasing the risk of poaching and human disturbance near the last breeding sites. However, more information is needed on the existing municipal and extra-urban roads in the selected reintroduction areas.

4. FEASIBILITY EVALUATION The speciﬁc feasibility study comprises the selection of potentially suitable areas for the reintroduction of the BV, the ecological and socio-cultural analyses of the potentially suitable areas, an evaluation of the availability of founders and some considerations on the effects the reintroduced BV’s will have on the ecosystems concerned.

4.1 SELECTION OF POTENTIAL REINTRODUC- TION AREAS Based on the historical distribution of the BV in Sardinia from 1945 to 1967 (FIGU- RES 2 and 3), seven geographical areas (FIGURES 6) were selected for feasibility evaluation: Monte Limbara (A), Monti di Alà (B), Monte Albo (C), Supramonte and Gennargentu (D), Sarrabus, Gerrei, Quir- ra (E), Monte Linas (E) and Sulcis (F).

4.2 EVALUATION CRITERIA Evaluation criteria comprise eight groups, Figure 6. Selected geographical areas (A=Monte Limbara, B=Monti di each one containing different parameters Alà; C=Monte Albo; D=Supramonte, Gennargentu; E=Sarrabus, Gerrei, Quirra, F=Monte Linas, G=Sulcis) for the feasibility study concerning the applied to each of the eight selected reintroduction of the Bearded Vulture in Sardinia areas: physical (4), climatic (1), ecological (11), actual impacts (5), future impacts (6), socio-cultural (3), actual structure (2), legal institutions ( 3) – for a total of 35 parameters. In ANNEX 2 values are illustrated for the single parameters and the relative score, generally in the range of -3 to +3. The score was attributed on the bases of the effective values found, for example, the surface of an area or the altitudinal gradient, direct knowledge of all areas and, inevitably on the subjective opinion of the authors. On some ecological and socio-cultural parameters more speciﬁc research will be needed during the preparatory phase of the prospective reintroduction project. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 92

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4.2.1 PHYSICAL AND CLIMATIC PARAMETERS The physical parameters concerned are surface, geology, morphology and altitudinal gradient (cf. Annex 2). The most heavily weighted physical parameter was surface with a range from 1 to 7 scores. The three areas with the highest score are area D (Supramonte, Gennargentu) with 16 scores, area E (Sarrabus, Gerrei, Quirra) with 12 scores and area F (Monte Linas) with 11 scores. - The climatic criteria (Arrigoni, 1968) is identical for 6 areas and only the Supramonte, Gennargentu area (D) totalised 3 scores due to the presence of at least 5 phytoclimatic horizons.

4.2.2 ECOLOGICAL PARAMETERS This group of criteria (cf. ANNEX 2) comprises the following parameters: percentage incidence of nearly natural, modified and transformed ecosystems (sensu IUCN, 1978), arbitrary evaluation of the quality of breeding and feeding habitats, fragmentation of habitats, availability of food (carrion), approximate date of last breeding attempt, presence of Griffon Vulture and Golden Eagle and an estimation of the carrying capacity of the area for the BV (breeding pairs and individuals). Areas D (Supramonte, Gennargentu), F (Monte Linas) and G (Sulcis) are the only ones with a percentage higher than 20% of nearly natural ecosystems; the areas with the best breeding habitats are the Supramonte, Gennargentu (D), the Monte Albo (C) and the Monte Linas (F), mainly constituted by limestone, while the best feeding habitats are confined to the Supramonte, Gennargentu area (D). The last breeding records or attempts were also from the Supramonte (1967/69) and from the Monti di Alà (B) areas, where the last breeding attempt should be placed in the 1960-65 period. The highest score for the presence of Golden Eagle and Griffon Vulture (irregular) was also reached by area D. The carrying capacity parameter represents in some way an evaluation of synthesis concerning suitability of every one of the 7 areas to reintroduce the BV. With 4-5 pairs and 12-15 individuals Supra- monte, Gennargentu (D-900 km2) has the highest carrying capacity, followed by Sarrabus, Gerrei, Quirra district (E-450 km2) and Monte Linas (F-320 km2), both the latter areas with 2 pairs and 5-7 individuals. All remaining areas (A,B,C and G) have a carrying capacity of 1 pair and 2-5 individuals. The total theoretic carrying capacity of the island could be placed in the range of 12-13 breeding pairs and 32-44 individuals. Similar values – 10 pairs in 2003 - have been found for the present Corsican population (FASCE & FASCE, 2003) with which the built-up Sardinian population will constitute a meta population. In TABLE 8 numbers of domestic livestock are shown for every area, based on municipal data referring to 2000, compared to the total numbers of all 7 areas and the whole Island. Considering only sheep and goats with a mortality rate of about 10% (ARESU ET AL., 2004), we have the following ranking: Supramonte, Gennargentu (D-193,065 heads), Monti di Alà (B-74,514 heads), Sarrabus, Ger- rei, Quirra (E-72,432 heads), Monte Albo (C-62,303 heads), Monte Linas (F-60,658 heads), Sulcis (G-48,197 heads) and Limbara (A-39,388 heads). However, livestock in the Monte Limbara, in the Monte di Alá, in the Sulcis mountains and to a lesser degree also in the Monte Linas and Monte Albo areas graze at lower altitudes and partially in the plains. This implies a lower rate of carcasses reachable by the BV in these areas with a higher degree of human impact. The Supramonte, Gennargentu range hosts a vital population of the Mouflon, recently estimated in 2,800-3,000 individuals; this species is present also in the Monte Albo area (about 150 individuals) and with lower numbers in the Monti di Alà; Sarrabus, Gerrei, Quirra range and in the Monte Linas area (SCHENK ET AL., in press). In all seven areas there are good populations of Wild Boar and, in the Sulcis range and in the Sarrabus, Gerrei, Quirra area of Cervus elaphus corsicanus, present also in small numbers in the Monti di Alà and Monte Linas areas and locally in the Gennargentu mountains. The modest food requirement of the BV’s to reintroduce in Sardinia and the high number of carcasses available in nearly all the areas selected make the birds independent of the presence of feeding places. However, if for different reasons the organization of feeding places should be realized, we have to take in consideration the Animal By-Products Regulation of the European Community n° 1774/2002. This regulation considers the possibility of utilizing animal by-products and carcasses of domestic livestock to feed birds of prey, especially scavengers (vultures), in fenced feeding places under the control of veterinary authorities. The overall evaluation of ecological parameters produced the following ranking: Supramonte, Gen- nargentu, D – 37 scores, followed by Monte Linas, F with 29 scores and Monte Albo, C with 24 scores and then come all the other areas (cf. ANNEX 2). 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 93

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Table 8. Number of livestock in 7 selected areas of Sardinia, 2000

LIVESTOCK CATEGORIES AND NUMBERS AREA SHEEP GOATS HORSES CATTLE SWINE

Monte Limbara -A 35,869 1,519 254 17,298 3,116 Monti di Alà - B 71,903 2,611 278 9,071 2,428 Monte Albo - C 55,763 6,540 158 2,404 2,083 Supramonte,Gennargentu - D 144,896 48,169 1,022 20,118 14,114 Sarrabus,Gerrei,Quirra - E 40,875 31,557 292 6,854 9,034 Monte Linas - F 44,167 16,491 179 1,640 4,716 Sulcis - G 32,069 16,128 197 4,224 2,981 All 7 areas 425,542 123,015 2,380 61,609 38,472 Sardinia 2,808,713 209,487 16,487 250, 334 193,947

Source. Istat, 2003. 5° Censimento generale dell’agricoltura.

4.2.3 ACTUAL IMPACTS The following parameters are analysed: road density, impact from tourism and hunting, presence of power lines and wind parks and the illegal use of poisoned baits (cf. ANNEX 2). The only areas that obtained a positive score were Monte Albo (C) and Monte Linas (F) – both with 1 score. The areas with the highest actual impact are Monti di Alà (B-10 scores) and Monte Lim- bara (A-8 scores). The use of poisoned baits appears to be irregular in areas B, D and E while it is unknown in the remaining areas. Hunting activity is actually "high” in the Supramonte, Gennargen- tu and in Sulcis areas; it is "average” in all other districts.

4.2.4 FUTURE IMPACTS The parameters analysed are the same ones as those of paragraph 4.2.3, plus agricultural and forest transformations (cf. ANNEX 2). The only area totalising a positive score is Monte Albo (C+5 scores), followed by Monte Linas (F-3 scores), the Sulcis district (G-5 scores), the Supramonte, Gennargentu range (D-6 scores), Monte Limbara (A-8 scores), Monti di Alà (B-9 scores) and the Sarrabus, Gerrei, Quirra area (E-10 scores). Risks deriving from future wind parks have been reduced by the recent regional law concerning landscape planning (L.R. no. 8/2004) and the creation of new wind farms is subordinated to approval of the regional landscape plan (PPR), which is now being drafted. If the protected areas foreseen by Regional Law no. 31/1989 or the national law concerning protected areas (Law no. 394/1991) should be established, hunting will be absent Adult Bearded Vulture Photo: L. ARRU, Italy from the following 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 94

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areas: Monte Limbara (regional park), Monte Albo (natural reserve), Supramonte, Gennargentu (national park), Monte Linas (regional park), Sulcis (regional park) and partially from the Sarrabus, Gerrei, Quirra area (regional park).

4.2.5 SOCIO-CULTURAL PARAMETERS This group of criteria attempts to objectify some parameters which may be essential for the success of the reintroduction project: knowledge of the species by local people, attitude of local people towards vultures and the prevision of cooperation for a reintroduction project of the BV. Evaluations concerning potential cooperation have been expressed independently by the three authors and thus they are characterised by a certain degree of subjectivity. To obtain a better consensus for the reintroduction project by local people, an information campaign is needed to explain in a target-speci- ﬁc way the content of the programme. The score (cf. ANNEX 2) varies from 3 (D-Supramonte, Gennargentu) to 6 scores (A-Monte Limba- ra; E-Sarrabus, Gerrei, Quirra).

4.2.6 ACTUAL STRUCTURES Only two parameters are considered (cf. ANNEX 2): presence of the Ente Foreste della Sardegna (regional forest authority) as a management structure of the Regione Sarda and that of non-governmental organizations. Environmental groups working in Sardinia which have promoted and carried out conservation projects concerning birds of prey, and especially the last Sardinian vultures, are in chronological order:

WWF International (SCHENK, 1975), LIPU-BirdLife (SCHENK & ARESU, 1992; SCHENK & GENERO, 1996) and Legambiente Sardegna (ARESU & SCHENK, 2003; SCHENK ET AL., 2004). According to Art. 3 the Regional Law no. 24/1999, the Ente Foreste della Sardegna has, among other duties, that of "to administer the woodland-agricultural-forest-and faunistic patrimony of the Sardinian Regional Administration under con- cession or rented by it, by municipalities or other public or private bodies, through organization of its management, sur- veillance, rational preservation, improvement and by operating, generally, in compliance with forest plans” and "to pro- mote through outside operators, activities of captive stock-breeding and distribution of fauna, tourism, rural and recreational tourism, as well as all other collateral activities useful for the best economic utilization of properties, works and resources of the Ente Foreste della Sardegna”.

4.2.7 LEGAL INSTITUTIONS Parameters considered are hunting institutions, environment planning instruments and the existence or prevision of protected areas (cf. ANNEX 2). The highest score was obtained by the Sulcis area (F-19 scores), owing to the presence of a Spe- cial Protected Area (Monte Arcosu) according to the Wild Bird Directive of the EC, followed by the Supramonte, Gennargentu area, the Sarrabus, Gerrei, Quirra districts (D-17 scores) and the Monte Limbara (A) with 16 scores. The chance for the establishment and concrete management of protected areas (national and regional parks) appears to be uncertain in consideration of the 16 years passed since the approval of the relative regional law and the very complicated situation of the formally instituted Gennargen- tu National Park, which has not been accepted by the local municipalities. The success of the international project for the reintroduction of the BV in the Alps could be partly attributed to the presence and management of protected areas (national and regional parks) which covered, at least in part, the project costs (cf. FREY, 2003; HEGGLIN ET AL., 2003; JENNY, 2003; FASCE & FASCE, 2003). ROBIN ET AL. (2004) produced a detailed summary of the ﬁrst 25 years of the programme, underlining that the availability of ﬁnancial resources constitutes a perma- nent problem and that the contributions of private and public sponsors are important for the continuation of the project (cf. also PACHLATKO, 1991; IUCN, 1995).

4.3 SELECTION OF TARGET AREAS In TABLE 9 the total scores are illustrated which were obtained for the 8 criteria groups in the 7 different geographic areas taken into consideration. The ﬁrst rank was reached by the Supramonte, Gennargentu - D (about 900 km2) area with 70 scores which was evaluated as the most suitable area for reintroduction of the BV in Sardinia; the 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 95

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Table 9. Final feasibility evaluation of the reintroduction of the Bearded Vulture in 7 geographical areas of Sardinia/Italy, 1995-2004

GEOGRAFICAL AREAS PARTIAL AND TOTAL SCORE CRITERIA A B C D E F G MONTE MONTI MONTE SUPRA- SARRABUS MONTE SULCIS LIMBARA DI ALÀ ALBO MONTE GERREI LINAS 300 KM2 150 KM2 300 KM2 150 KM2 GENNARGEN- QUIRRA 320 KM2 TU 450 KM2 900 KM2 PHYSICAL 8 9 9 16 12 11 9 CLIMATE 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 ECOLOGICAL 11 11 24 37 23 29 18 ACTUAL IMPACTS -8 -10 1 -6 -4 1 -4 FUTURE IMPACTS -7 -9 5 -6 -10 -3 -5 SOCIOCULTURAL 6 5 4 3 6 4 4 ACTUAL STRUCTURES 6 3 6 6 6 6 6 LEGAL INSTITUTIONS 16 7 11 17 17 16 19 TOTAL SCORE 33 17 61 70 51 65 48 (RANK) (6) (7) (3) (1) (4) (2) (5)

second rank was obtained by the Monte Linas - F (320 km2) with 65 scores, followed by Monte Albo - C (61 scores), the Sarrabus, Gerrei, Quirra district - E (51 scores), the Sulcis - G (48 scores), Monte Limbara – A (33 scores) and Monti di Alà areas - B (17 scores). Only the Supramonte, Gennargentu area (D), Sarrabus, Gerrei, Quirra (E) and Monte Linas (F) areas have a carrying capacity of more than one pair. To built up a viable Sardinian population of the BV, the historical central-eastern range of the species will assume a strategic role, with an estimated carrying capacity of 4-5 pairs and 12-15 individuals. The Supramonte, Gennargentu area (D) is contiguous to Monte Albo (C - 150 km2) in the north and through the Ogliastra region to the Sarrabus, Gerrei, Quirra area (E - 450 km2) in the south, constituting nearly a continuous range of more than 1.500 km2 with a total carrying capacity of 7-8 pairs and 20-27 individuals. Although the Supramonte, Gennargentu area has the lowest score of socio-cultural parameters (cf. TABLE 9), due to a locally negative attitude towards vultures and an articulated opposition to the Gennargentu National Park, a reintroduction project of the BV should start exactly in central-eastern Sardinia which more than all others areas has the ecological requisites to build up a viable population (cf. ANNEX 2). The municipalities with the highest number of historical breeding sites which still correspond to the requisites of habitat quality for this species are Urzulei, Baunei, Orgosolo, Olie- na, Dorgali and Talana. A second choice to consider is the Monte Linas area (320 km2) with an estimated carrying capacity of 2 breeding pairs and 5-7 individuals; unfortunately the Linas mountains are separated by the large Campidano Plain from the continuous historical range in central eastern Sardinia.

4.4 AVAILABILITY OF RELEASE STOCK According to HIRALDO et al. (1979) there are only two subspecies of the BV: Gypaetus barbatus barbatus (Europe, Asia and North Africa) and Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis (south and east Africa). All individuals of the Bearded Vulture Endangered Species Breeding Programme (EEP) and those released in the Alps belong to the nominal subspecies G.b. barbatus (FREY, 2002). 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 96

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GAUTSCHI (2001) and GAUTSCHI et al., 2003) have demonstrated that genetic variability in the captive BV population is similar or more variable than the largest natural population in Europe (Pyrenees). Allelic diversity of the captive population is higher than that found in natural museum collections from the two large extinct alpine and Sardinian populations. The same authors (GAUT- SCHI et al., 2003) suggest a further recruitment of founders to reduce the risk of loss of genetic variability and an improvement of genetic ﬂow among populations in captivity, released and wild ones.

During the last 26 years (1978-2003), 200 pulli of BV’s have been reproduced (FREY, 2003), with an average number of 7.7 pulli/year (min 1; max. 17). 121 birds have been released in four different Alpine countries (Austria, France, Italy and Switzerland), with an average number of 6.7 BV’s/year (min 2; max 10) between 1986 and 2003.

TERRASSE (in FASCE & FASCE, 2003) reports that the actual breeding population is constituted by 12 breeding pairs and about 73-75 individuals and postulates the need in the coming years of an overall strategy to be developed and carried out, to re-colonize the suitable habitats of the entire Alps and also other formerly occupied areas in Europe, for instance establishing bridges between wild populations and reintroduced ones, for example Alps, Corsica, Sardinia. All the birds released were generated by pairs reproducing in captivity. To increase breeding success, artificial incubation is used as well as the utilization of foster parents. For release in nature the hacking technique is considered to be the most successful for the BV (FREY, 1985; FREY & WALTER, 1989). This technique imitates the fledging of young birds from the nest. Two nestlings of about 90-100 days old and not able to fly, but to feed autonomously are put in a natural cave, similar to a BV’s nest from which they take off afterwards (GENERO, 1995). The actual situation of the 33 adult pairs in captivity and the up-to-date documentation of the international breeding network are illustrated by FREY (2003). The availability of founders for a reintroduction project of the BV in Sardinia has been discussed with representatives of the Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture and particularly with MICHEL TERRASSE, HANS FREY, MAARTEN BIJLEVELD and PAOLO FASCE. If there is agreement among all qualified public and private operators and the guarantee of sufficient financial resources to start the reintroduction programme, the Foundation will make available every year two BV’s for the Sardinian project from the different breeding units of the EEP. In this way the reintroduction programme in the Alps can continue and an important part of the former range of the BV in Europe, Sardinia, will be re-colonized.

4.5 EFFECTS OF THE REINTRODUCED SPECIES ON THE ECOSYSTEMS CONCERNED The reintroduction of a species in a certain area may create problems in relation to the equilibrium of the present biotic community as well as to human activities. In consideration of the relatively recent extinction of the BV in the Supramonte, Gennargentu range and the few environmental modifications that have taken place there, a gradual reintroduction of this species should not produce relevant effects on the ecosystems concerned. The BV is generally the last species of scavengers that arrives on a carcass (GLUTZ V. BLOTZHEIM et al., 1971; DONAZAR, 1993) and does not compete directly with the Griffon and the Black Vulture (the two species formerly present in central-eastern Sardinia), but waits until they depart, then consu- mes bones and skins on which it specializes (CRAMP, 1980). Potentially, there could be some competition between the BV and the Golden Eagle, but the very high availability of suitable breeding sites for these two species, especially in the calcareous mountains of the Supramonte, should factually exclude it. Concerning human activities, some changes have taken place during the last 30 years. Many shepherds have abandoned the Supramonte and their flocks of sheep and goats have been partially substituted by Mouflons. During summer this area is frequented by an increasing number of tourists (trekking, free-climbers) and the Gennargentu mountains also in winter. All these activities may create some negative impact on the released BV’s and thus they need regulations which must be strictly adhered to.

5. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS The principal cause of extinction of the BV in Sardinia was the collection of specimens and apparently to a lesser degree the use of poisoned baits. Collection and the legal use of poisoned baits have been removed and thus the basic condition is met for a possible reintroduction project of the BV in Sardinia. This project should be part of a common strategy for the conservation of the Griffon, Black and Bearded Vulture on the island to be deﬁned in the framework of a multidisciplinary approach invol- 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 97

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ving a team of persons coming from different backgrounds and possessing different skills: persons from regional natural resource management agencies (Ente Foreste della Sardegna), experts from NGO’s with experience in the management of conservation projects for vultures, veterinarians and experts in communication in rural areas. Summarizing, the reintroduction of the BV in Sardinia is feasible if there is agreement among all public and private operators and a political commitment of the regional (Regione Autonoma della Sardegna, Provincia di Nuoro, Provincia di Cagliari, local municipalities) and national (Ministero dell’Ambiente, Istituto Nazionale della Fauna Selvatica) authorities to guarantee ﬁnancial resources and the necessary cooperation to cover a period of 3 years for the preparatory phase of the project. The present study has demonstrated that the most suitable area for the reintroduction of this species is the Supramonte, Gennargentu area (D - 900 km2), of which essential parts are included in the formally instituted Gennargentu National Park, with an estimated carrying capacity of 4-5 breeding pairs and 12-15 individuals. A second possibility could be the Monte Linas area (F - 320 km2) with an estimated carrying capacity of 2 breeding pairs and 5-7 individuals. During the estimated three-year preparatory phase of the project, a capillary public awareness and information campaign is needed with special reference to local administrations, shepherds, hunters and schools at every level.- A further important action in the ﬁrst phase should be the reintroduction of the Griffon Vulture into the Supramonte area where it became extinct at the beginnings of the 1980s. Gyps fulvus could be considered as a test species to prepare and to improve the socio-cultural acceptance of a conservation project by the local populations in a critical area like the Supra- monte. If successful, this action will facilitate considerably the successive/following reintroduction of the Bearded and the Black Vulture in the same area.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study would not have been possible without the contributions of many people. The authors would like to thank all Italian, European and North American natural history museum curators for their valuable and timely help in our historical research as well as all the other people who in one or another way have contributed and stimulated this feasibility study: M. ADAMS, (London/UK), A. ARESU (Seui), L. ARRU (Sorgono), Dr. N. BACCETTI, (Ozzano-Emilia), D. BANADUC (Sibiu/Rumania), Dr. J. BARANDUN (St. Gallen/Switzerland), D. BASOCCU (Villa- grande-Strisaili), Dr. F. BASSU (Nuoro), E. BENUSSI (Trieste), M. BIASIOLO (Padova), B. BLÖCHLINGER (Bern/Switzerland), Dr. G. BOANO (Car- magnolo), P. BRICHETTI (Verolavecchia), Dr. E. BUA (Oschiri), M. CANARGIU (Gonnosfanadiga), P. CAPAINOLO (New York/USA), Dr. F.CRU- DELI (Camaldoli), Dr. G. CHIOZZI, (Milano), Dr. G. DELITALA, (Sassari), Dr. R. DEMURTAS (Cagliari), C. DETTORI (Oristano), Dr. G. DORIA (Genova), Dr. W. DREYER (Kiel/Germany), Dr. L. FASCE (Genova), Dr. P. FASCE (Genova), A. FERRI (Milano), U.F. FOSCHI (Forlì), Dr. G. FRACASSO (Vicenza), Dr. S. FRAHNERT (Berlin/Germany), Dr. H. FREY (Wien/Austria), Dr. B. GAUTSCHI (Zürich-Schlieren/Switzerland), Dr. FULVIO GENERO (Udine), U.GRAZIANI (Sassari), G.GRILLANDO (Ravenna), J.I. GUILLOSSON (Aumessas/France), Prof. Dr. A. HAAS (Ham- burg/Germany), Prof. Dr. R. HIRALDO (Sevilla/Spain), G. LUTZ-STEMMLER (Santa Teresa di Gallura), Dr. C. MARANGONI (Roma), Dr. N. MAIO (Napoli), A. MAMELI (Lanusei), Prof. Dr. B. MASSA (Palermo), L. MELONI (Fonni), Prof. Dr. A. MINGOZZI (Piossasco), S. MOI (Seui), S. MUGNO (Siniscola), C. MUSCAU (Orgosolo), Dr. D. NILSON (Capoterra), G. NILSON (Stockholm/Sweden), Dr. S. NISSARDI (Cagliari), T. PACHLATKO (Zürich/Switzerland), T. PARKER (Liverpool/UK), Dr. E. PASQUET (Paris/France), Dr. H. PELLMANN (Magdeburg/Germany), Dr. M. PERDIXI (Iglesias), Dr. D. PISU (Oschiri), Dr. M. POGGESI, (Firenze), Dr. P. PREDINI (Trento), Dr. F. PROSSER (Rovereto), M. RIGHI (Firenze), Dr. M. ROGNONI (Sassari), F. ROSCELLI, (Parma), Dr. K. ROSELAAR (Amsterdam/Netherlands), D. RUIU (Nuoro), Dr. F. SANCIU (Olbia), Prof. Dr. H. SCHLIEMANN (Hamburg/Germany), C. SERRA (Talana), Dr. S. SPIGGIA (Olbia), C. SORRENTI (Nuoro), Dr. T. STJERNBERG (Helsinki/Finland), Dr. H. TERLUTTER (Münster/Germany), M. TERRASSE (Paris/France), Dr. V. TIANA (Cagliari), R. TOFFOLI, (Torino), A. TOLU (Belvi), Dr. A. TORRE (Alghero), H. VAN GROUW (Leiden/Netherlands), Dr. R. VAN DEN ELZEN (Bonn/Germany), Dr. C. VIOLANI (Pavia), Dr. E. VITTORI, (Igle- sias), Dr. J. WOODS (Wilmington/USA). The authors also wish to thank all those who took the trouble to reply, even when they had nothing to report.

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Uccelli e mammiferi del Monte Albo e problemi di conservazione. In: Camarda, I. (Ed.), Monte Albo - una montagna tra passato e futuro. Att. Conv. Lula 1986: 111-135. Sassari. SCHENK, H. & M. ARESU (1992). Il ripopolamento del Grifone (Gyps fulvus) nella Sardegna Nord-Occidentale: risultati, problemi e prospettive. Att. IV Conv. Sic. Ecologia: 159-184. Siracusa. SCHENK, H. (1995). Status faunistico e di conservazione dei Vertebrati (Amphibia, Reptilia, Aves, Mammalia) riprodu- centisi in Sardegna, 1900-93: Contributo preliminare. Att. I Conv. Reg. Fauna Selvatica in Sardegna: 41-95. SCHENK, H., M. ARESU & G. SERRA (1987). Sull'ecologia e sulla conservazione del Grifone (Gyps fulvus) nella Sar- degna nordoccidentale. Ric. Biol. Selvaggina XII: 217-233. SCHENK, H. & M. ARESU (1992). Il ripopolamento del Grifone (Gyps fulvus) nella Sardegna Nord-Occidentale: risultati, problemi e prospettive. Att. IV Conv. Sic. Ecologia: 159-184. Siracusa. SCHENK, H. & F. GENERO (1996). Studio di fattibilità per la reintroduzione dell’Avvoltoio monaco (Aegypius monachus) e del Gipeto (Gypaetus barbatus) in Sardegna. Rapporto finale: 1-76. LIPU, Regione Autonoma della Sardegna, Asses- sorato della Difesa dell’Ambiente. SCHENK, H., M. ARESU & S. NAITANA (2004). Piano d’azione per il Grifone (Gyps fulvus) in Sardegna: 1-35. Legam- biente Sardegna & Comune di Bosa. SCHENK,H., N.MARRAS, M.ARESU,D.PISU & A. FOZZI (in stampa). Distribuzione e abbondanza del Muflone in Sar- degna. Dati preliminari. STEMMLER, C. (1932). Die Adler der Schweiz. Zürich, Leipzig. TERRASSE, M., F.SARRAZIN, J.P.CHOISY, C.CLÉMENTE, S.HENRIQUET, P.LÈCUYER, J.L.PINNA &C.TESSIER (2004). A Success Story: The Reintroduction of Eurasian Griffon Gyps fulvus and Black Aegypius monachus Vultures to France. In: CHANCELLOR, R.D. & B.U. MEYBURG eds. 2004: 1-19. VIOLANI,C., G.ZANAZZO & M. PANDOLFI (1997). La collezione ornitologica di Tomaso Salvadori. Catalogo. Comune di Fermo. ZILIOLI,G. (1988). Le collezioni zoologiche del Liceo Romagnosi in Parma. Ambiente e Natura del Po e degli Appennini IV,3: 19-21. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 100

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Annex 1. Bearded Vultures (skins, mounted specimens, skeletons, eggs) from SARDINIA conserved in public and private collections.

COLLECTION NUMBER SKIN, EGGS COUNTRY MUSEUM COLLEC- SEX, AREA MOUNTED COLLECTION TION AGE CLASS NOTES SKELETON (pu=public; YEAR pr=private) Campidano 1 1 Torino - pu 1821 M, immat. Toffoli, in litt. Sardinia 2 1 Torino - pu 1835 M, ad. Toffoli, in litt. Sardinia 3 1 Cagliari - pu < 1863 M, ad. Salvadori, 1865; fide Nissardi Sardinia 4 1 Cagliari - pu < 1863 F, ad. Salvadori, 1865; fide Nissardi Sardinia 5 1 Cagliari - pu < 1863 juv. Salvadori, 1865; fide Nissardi Sardinia 6 1 (Cagliari) - pu < 1863 ad. Salvadori, 1865; lacking Sardinia 7 1 Milano - pu < 1864 M Chiozzi, in litt. Sardinia 8 1 Rovereto - pu 1866 ad. Prosser & Predini, in litt. Sulcis 9 1 Firenze - pu 1875 M, ad. Giglioli, 1886; Poggesi, in litt. Sulcis 10 - 1 Firenze - pu 1875 - Giglioli, 1886; Poggesi, in litt. Limbara 11 1 Liceo Sassari - pu 1888 M, ad. Tognoni, in litt. Ogliastra 12 1 Firenze - pu 1892 M Poggesi, in litt. Sardinia 13 1 Roma - pu 1899 M, ad. Foschi et al., 1996 Iglesiente 14 1 Roma - pu 1899 M, ad. Foschi et al., 1996 Iglesiente 15 1 Roma - pu 1899 M, ad. Foschi et al., 1996 Monti di Alà 16 1 Sassari - pr appr. 1895 ad. fide Pisu; Coll. Argittu Sardinia 17/18 - 2 (Milano) - pu 1850-99? - Girtanner, 1903; lacking Iglesiente 19 1 Liceo Iglesias - pu 1850-99? immat. fide Perdixi; Vittori, in litt. Iglesiente 20 1 Liceo Iglesias - pu 1850-99? immat. fide Perdixi; Vittori, in litt. Gennargentu 21 1 Roma - pu 1900 pullus Foschi et al., 1996; lacking Ogliastra 22 1 Firenze - pu 1901 M, juv. Foschi et al., 1996 Gennargentu 23 1 Roma - pu 1901 M, ad. Foschi et al., 1996 Sarrabus 24 1 Roma - pu 1901 pullus Foschi et al., 1996 Gennargentu 25 1 ITALY Roma - pu 1902 F, ad. Foschi et al., 1996 Iglesiente 26 1 Firenze - pu 1906 M Poggesi, in litt. Gennargentu 27 1 Firenze - pu 1907 F Poggesi, in litt. Gennargentu 28 1 Genova - pu 1907 M Doria, in litt. Ogliastra 29 1 Firenze - pu 1907 M, juv. Poggesi, in litt. Limbara 30 1 Firenze - pu 1907 M Poggesi, in litt. Ogliastra 31 1 Roma - pu 1908 M, juv. Foschi et al., 1996; lacking Sulcis 32 - 1 Firenze - pu 1908 - Poggesi, in litt. Sulcis 33 - 1 Firenze - pu 1908 - Poggesi, in litt. Sulcis 34 1 Firenze - pu 1908 M, ad. Poggesi, in litt. Ogliastra 35 1 Roma - pu 1908 M, ad. Foschi et al., 1996 Ogliastra 36 1 Roma - pu 1909 F, ad. Foschi et al., 1996; lacking Ogliastra 37 1 Roma - pu 1909 M, ad. Foschi et al., 1996; lacking Supramonte 38 1 Roma - pu 1910 M, ad. Foschi et al., 1996 Sulcis 39 1 Genova - pu 1910 M Doria, in litt. Sarrabus 40 1 Ozzano-Emilia - pu 1911 M, ad. Baccetti, in litt. Gennargentu 41 1 Ozzano-Emilia - pu 1912 M, juv. Baccetti, in litt. Gennargentu 42 1 Lonato - pu 1914 M, juv. Brichetti, in litt. Sarrabus 43 1 Lonato - pu 1914 M, ad. Brichetti, in litt. Sarrabus 44 1 Lonato - pu 1914 F, ad. Brichetti, in litt. Sulcis 45 1 Liceo Parma - pu 1919 F. ad. Zilioli, 1988; Roscelli, in litt. Sulcis 46 1 Napoli - pu 1910-30 M, juv. Maio, in litt. Sardinia 47 1 Udine - pu 1921 ? Genero, in litt. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 101

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COLLECTION NUMBER SKIN, EGGS COUNTRY MUSEUM COLLEC- SEX, AREA MOUNTED COLLECTION TION AGE CLASS NOTES SKELETON (pu=public; YEAR pr=private) Sardinia 48 1 (Milano?) - pu 1922 ? Moltoni & Sciacchitano, 1926 Ogliastra 49 1 Ravenna - pu 1922 F, ad. Ortali, 2001; Grillanda, in litt. Sardinia 50 1 (Italy) - pu ? 1924 ? Moltoni & Sciacchitano, 1926 Supramonte 51 1 Milano - pu 1924 F Chiozzi, in litt. Sardinia 52 1 Camaldoli - pu 1926 M, juv. fide Torre; Crudeli, in litt. Ogliastra 53 1 Forli - pr 1931 M, ad. Foschi, 1984 Gennargentu 54 1 Seui - pu 1931 ad. Marras & Aresu, in litt. Sardinia 55 1 (Italy?) - pr thirtees ? Donati Coll.; Moltoni, 1948 Sardinia 56 1 Randazzo - pu 1934 juv. Massa, in litt. Supramonte 57 1 ITALY Terrasini -pu 1939 M, subad. Massa, in litt. Gennargentu 58 1 Belvi - pr 1) > 1945? ad. fide Tolu Limbara 59 1 Randazzo -pu 1956 M, ad. Massa, in litt. Monti di Alà 60 1 (Italy?) - pr? 1956 ? Sorrenti, in litt.; Schenk, 1976 Monti di Alà 61 1 Sassari - pr 1959 ad. Sanciu, in litt. Supramonte 62 1 (Italy?) - pu? 1959 ? Bassu, in litt; Schenk, 1976 Monti di Alà 63 1 (Italy?) - pr ? 1960 ? fide Meloni; Schenk, 1977 Supramonte 64 1 (Catania?) - pr 1961/62 ? fide Meloni; Schenk, 1976 Sardinia 65 1 Sassari -pu undated ad. fide Delitala Sardinia 66 1 Genova - pu undated ? Doria, in litt Sardinia 67 1 Genova - pu undated immat. Doria, in litt

TOTAL SPECIMEN 62 5 67 Sardinia 68 1 Bonn - pu 1900 M Van den Elzen, in litt. Ogliastra 69 1 Bonn - pu 1900 pullus Van den Elzen, in litt. Sarrabus? 70 1 Bonn - pu 1902 M Kleinschmidt, 1935-38 Supramonte 71 1 Bonn - pu 1903 F, ad. Kleinschmidt, 1935-38 Sardinia 72 1 Kiel -pu 1903 ? Dreyer, in litt. Sardinia 73 1 Berlin -pu 1904 M, juv. Frahnert, in litt Sardinia 74 1 Berlin -pu 1904 F, juv. Frahnert, in litt Sardinia 75 1 Berlin -pu 1905 F, juv. Frahnert, in litt Sardinia 76 1 Hamburg -pu 1905 ? ? Haas, in litt. Sardinia 77 1 (Bonn?) -pu 1905 ? Gautschi et al., 2003 ; lacking ? Sardinia 78 1 GERMANY (Bonn?) -pu 1905 ? Gautschi et al., 2003 ; lacking ? Ogliastra 79 1 Bonn -pu 1906 ? Van den Elzen, in litt. Ogliastra 80 1 Bonn -pu 1906 ? Van den Elzen, in litt. Sardinia 81 1 Bonn -pu 1900 - 09 ? ? Kleinschmidt, 1935-38 Sardinia 82 1 Bonn -pu 1900 - 09 ? ? Kleinschmidt, 1935-38 Sardinia 83 1 Bonn -pu 1900 - 09 ? Kleinschmidt, 1935-38 Sardinia 84 1 Bonn -pu 1900 - 09 ? F Van den Elzen, in litt. Supramonte 85 1 (Bonn?) -pu 1915 F, ad. Hiraldo et al., 1979; lacking? Sardinia 86 1 (Bonn?) -pu 1925 M, juv. Hiraldo et al., 1979; lacking? Sardinia 87 1 Münster - pu 1925 ? immat. Terlutter, in litt. Sardinia 88 1 Berlin -pu undated M Frahnert, in litt. Supramonte 89 1 Magdeburg -pu undated F Pellmann, in litt. Sardinia 90 1 (Magdeburg) -pu undated M Pellmann, in litt.; lacking TOTAL SPECIMEN 23 - 23 Monti di Alà? 91 - 1 Wilmington -pu 1854 - Woods, in litt. Supramonte 92 1 New York -pu 1902 F Capainolo, in litt. Sulcis 93 1 UNITED New York -pu 1903 M Capainolo, in litt. Iglesiente 94 1 STATES New York -pu 1903 M, ad. Capainolo, in litt.

1) A recent control revealed that the stuffed BV is not more present in the collection (N. MARRAS); further investigations are going on. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 102

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COLLECTION NUMBER SKIN, EGGS COUNTRY MUSEUM COLLEC- SEX, AREA MOUNTED COLLECTION TION AGE, NOTES SKELETON (pu=public; YEAR CLASS pr=private) Iglesiente 95 1 New York -pu 1903 F, ad. Capainolo, in litt. Gennargentu 96 1 New York -pu 1903 M Capainolo, in litt. Sardinia 97 1 New York -pu 1903 F Capainolo, in litt. Sardinia 98/99 - 2 UNITED Wilmington -pu 1905 - Woods, in litt.

Iglesiente 100 1 STATES New York -pu 1907 F Capainolo, in litt. Sulcis 101 - 1 Wilmington -pu 1912 - Woods, in litt. Supramonte 102/103 - 2 Wilmington -pu 1932 - Woods, in litt. Supramonte 104 - 1 Wilmington -pu 1934 - Woods, in litt. Sardinia 105 1 New York -pu undated ? Capainolo, in litt.

TOTAL SPECIMEN 8 7 15 Sardinia 106 - 1 Bern -pu 1866 - Blöchlinger, in litt. Sardinia 107 1 St. Gallen -pu 1873 M, ad. ? Girtanner, 1878; Barandun, in litt. Sardinia 108 1 (St. Gallen?) -pu 1876 immat. Girtanner, 1878 Sardinia 109 1 Bern -pu 1888 M, subad. Blöchlinger, in litt. Sulcis 110 1 Lausanne - pu 1912 M, ad. (MZL 5467); Glaizot, in litt. Sardinia 111 1 SWITZER- Lausanne - pu 1915 M, juv. (MZL 5535); Glaizot, in litt. Ogliastra 112 1 LAND Schaffhausen - pr 1921 F, ad. Stemmler, 1932 Ogliastra 113 1 Schaffhausen - pr 1922 F, subad. Stemmler, 1932 Sardinia 114 1 Basel -pu < 1926 F, ad. Stemmler, 1932; Winkler, in litt. Ogliastra 115 1 Schaffhausen - pr < 1932 M, juv. Stemmler, 1932 Sardinia 116 1 Schaffhausen - pr < 1932 F, ad. Stemmler, 1932 Sardinia 117 1 Winterthur -pu undated M, ad. Stemmler, 1932 Sardinia 118 1 Winterthur -pu undated F, ad. Stemmler, 1932 TOTAL SPECIMEN 12 1 13 Sardinia 119 1 London -pu 1871 pullus Adams, in litt. Gennargentu 120 1 UNITED Liverpool - pu 1893 F, ad. Parker, in litt.; Picchi, 1904 Sardinia 121 1 KINGDOM London -pu 1850-99? ad. Adams, in litt. Ogliastra 122/123 - 2 London -pu 1904 - Adams, in litt.; lacking Sassarese 124/125 - 2 London -pu 1920 - Adams, in litt. TOTAL SPECIMEN 3 4 7 Sardinia 126 1 Grenoble -pu 1906 ? Gautschi et al., 2003 Sardinia 127 1 Grenoble -pu 1907 ? Gautschi et al., 2003 Sardinia 128 1 Paris -pu 1911 ? Pasquet, in litt. Sardinia 129 1 FRANCE Grenoble -pu 1912 ? Gautschi, 2001 Sulcis 130 1 Grenoble -pu 1913 ? Gautschi et al., 2003 Sardinia 131 1 Grenoble -pu 1925 ? Gautschi et al., 2003 Sardinia 132 1 Grenoble -pu undated ? Gautschi et al., 2003

TOTAL SPECIMEN 7 - 7

Sardinia 133 1 THE Leiden -pu 1825-35 ad. Van Grouw, in litt. Sardinia 134 1 NETHER- Leiden -pu 1825-35 juv. Van Grouw, in litt. Sardinia 135 1 LANDS Amsterdam -pu undated F, ad. Roselaar, in litt.

TOTAL SPECIMEN 3 - 3

Sulcis 136 1 SWEDEN Stockholm -pu 1907 ad. Frisk, in litt.

Supramonte 137 1 HUNGARY (Budapest?) - pu? 1926 pullus Stemmler, 1932

Ogliastra 138 1 UNKNOWN ? < 1923 ad. Stemmler, 1932

Gennargentu 139 1 UNKNOWN Collezione Picchi ? 1896 M, ad. Mingozzi, in litt.; Picchi, 1904 TOTAL SPECIMEN 122 17 139 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 103

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Annex 2. Feasibility evaluation of the reintroduction of the Bearded Vulture in 7 geographical areas of Sardinia/Italy, 1995-2004.

GEOGRAFICAL AREAS CHARACTERISTICS - QUALITY (C) AND SCORE (P) CRITERIA A B C D E F G MONTE MONTI MONTE SUPRA- SARRABUS MONTE SULCIS LIMBARA DI ALÀ ALBO MONTE GERREI LINAS GENNARGENTU QUIRRA c p c p c p c p c p c p c p PHYSICAL CRITERIA surface (km2) 1) 150 1 300 2 150 1 900 7 450 4 320 3 300 2 geology 2) gra 2 gra 2 lim, 3 lim, gra, sci 3 gra, mro, 3 sci, 3 gra, 2 gra, lim gra, sci sci lim morphology 3) dom, 3 dom, 3 clf, 3 clf, can, 3 clf, cue, 3 clf, 3 clf, 3 clf tab, can, dom, tab tab, can can, dom, clf dom dom can altitudinal gradient (m) 4) 400- 2 500- 2 400- 2 0-1.834 3 500- 2 400- 2 400- 2 1.362 1.094 1.127 1.069 1.236 1.116 Partial score 8 9 9 16 12 11 9 CLIMATE 5) mst, 1 cwq, 1 cwq, 1 mst,ma,cwq 3 cwq, mq, 1 mst, 1 mst, 1 mq, mq mq mq,fom fom cwq, cwq cwq mq Partial score 1 1 1 3 1 1 1

1) SURFACE: up to 200 km2 (1 score); from 201 to 300 km2 (2 scores); from 301 to 400 km2 (3 scores); from 401 to 500 km2 (4 scores); from 501 to 600 km2 (5 scores); from 601 to 700 km2 (6 scores); > 700 km2 (7 scores). 2) GEOLOGY: lim = limestone; gra = granite; mro = metamorﬁc rocks; sci = schist: lim dominant: 3 scores; gra and mro dominant: 2 scores; sci dominant: 1 score; 3) MORPHOLOGY: clf = hill-ridge with high cliffs; canyons = can; cue = cuestas; sclf = seacliffs; dom = hill-ridge with gentle forms; tab = tableland; clf and can dominant: 3 scores; cue and sclf dominant: 2 scores; tab dominant: 1 score; 4) ALTITUDINAL GRADIENT: > 1.000 m (3 scores); 500-1.000 m (2 scores); < 500 m (1 score); 5) CLIMATE: ma = horizon of the littoral woodlands and "maquis”; fom = horizon of the mixed forests of evergreen sclerophills in the southern hot-dry sectors; mq = mesophylous horizon of the Quercus ilex forests; cwq = cold-wet horizon of the moun tain Quercus ilex and Quercus pubescens forests, with relicts elements of the Quercus-Tilia-Acer and Laurocerasus belts; mst = climax of prostrate shrubs of Mediterranean mountain steppes, on the higher ridge beyond the timberline: 1-3 horizons (1 score); >3 horizons (3 scores). 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 104

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Annex 2(2) GEOGRAFICAL AREAS CHARACTERISTICS - QUALITY (C) AND SCORE (P) CRITERIA A B C D E F G MONTE LIM- MONTI MONTE SUPRA- SARRABUS MONTE SULCIS BARA DI ALÀ ALBO MONTE GERREI LINAS 300KM2 150KM2 300KM2 150KM2 GENNARGENTU QUIRRA 320KM2 900KM2 450KM2 c p c p c p c p c p c p c p ECOLOGICAL CRITERIA natural (nearly) ecosystems in % 6) < 10 2 < 5 1 > 15 4 > 20 5 > 10 3 > 20 5 > 20 5 modiﬁd ecosystems 7) < 70 3 > 50 2 < 80 3 < 70 3 > 70 3 > 70 3 > 70 3 transformed ecosystems 8) > 20 -2 > 40 -2 < 5 1 > 10 -1 > 10 -2 < 5 1 < 5 1 breeding habitat 9) suf 1 suf 1 exc 5 exc 5 m 3 exc 5 m 3 feeding habitat 10) suf 1 m 3 suf 1 exc 5 exc 5 m 3 suf 1 habitat fragmentation 11) m 1 h -2 l 3 m 1 m 1 l 3 m 1 food resources (carrion) 12) l 1 m 3 m 3 h 5 m 3 m 3 l 1 last breeding record 13) 1950/60? 2 1960/65? 3 1950/55? 2 1968/69 3 1945/50? 1 1945/50? 1 1940? 1 presence of Griffon Vulture 14) abs 0 abs 0 abs 0 irr 1 irr 1 irr 1 abs 0 presence of Golden Eagle 15) 1-2 pairs 1 2 pairs 1 1-2 pairs 1 10-12 pairs 5 5-6 pairs 3 3 pairs 2 2 pairs 1 carrying capacity (number of 1 pair 1 1 pair 1 1 pair 1 4-5 pairs 5 2 pairs 2 2 pairs 2 1pair 1 pairs and individuals) 16) 3-4 ind. 2-3 ind. 3-5 ind. 12-15 ind. 5-7 ind. 5-7 ind. 2-3 ind. Partial score 11 11 24 37 23 29 18

6) NATURAL (NEARLY) ECOSYSTEMS: up to 5% (1 score); 5 to 10% (2 scores); 10 to 15% (3 scores); 15 to 20% (4 scores); >20% (5 scores); 7) MODIFIED ECOSYSTEMS: up to 30% (1 score); 30 to 60% (2 scores); >60% (3 scores); 8) TRANSFORMED ECOSYSTEMS: up to 5% (1 score); 5 to10% (-1 score); 10 to 15% (-2 scores); >15% (-3 scores); 9) BREEDING HABITAT (quality): exc = excellent (5 scores); m = medium (3 scores); suf = sufficient (1 score); 10) FEEDING HABITAT (quality): exc = excellent (5 scores); m = medium (3 scores); suf = sufficient (1 score); 11) HABITAT FRAGMENTATION: l = low (3 scores); m = medium (1 score); h = high (-2 scores); 12) FOOD RESOURCES/CARRION (availabilty): h = high (5 scores); m = medium (3 scores); l = low (1 score); 13) LAST BREEDING RECORD: after 1960 (3 scores); 1951 -1960 (2 scores); between 1940 and 1950 (1 score); 14) PRESENCE OF GRIFFON VULTURE: reg = regular (3 scores); irr = irregular (1 score); abs = absent (0 score); 15) PRESENCE OF GOLDEN EAGLE: up to 2 pairs (1 score); 3 - 4 pairs (2 scores); 5 - 6 pairs (3 scores); > 6 pairs (4 scores); 16) CARRYING CAPACITY: 1 pair (1 score); 2 pairs (2 scores); 3 pairs (3 scores); 4 pairs (4 scores); >4 pairs (5 scores). 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 105

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Annex 2(3) GEOGRAFICAL AREAS CHARACTERISTICS - QUALITY (C) AND SCORE (P) CRITERIA A B C D E F G MONTE LIM- MONTI MONTE SUPRA- SARRABUS MONTE SULCIS BARA DI ALÀ ALBO MONTE GERREI LINAS 300KM2 150KM2 300KM2 150KM2 GENNARGENTU QUIRRA 320KM2 900KM2 450KM2 c p c p c p c p c p c p c p ACTUAL IMPACTS roads (density) 17) l -1 mh -3 l 2 ml -1 ml -1 l 2 ml -1 tourism 18) l -1 l -1 l -1 m -2 l -1 l -1 l -1 hunting 19) l -1 m -2 l -1 h -3 m -2 l -1 h -3 powerlines and windparks 20) m -3 l -1 abs 3 abs 3 abs 3 abs 3 abs 3 poisoned baits 21) ukn -2 irr -3 ukn -2 irr -3 irr -3 ukn -2 ukn -2 Partial score -8 -10 1 -6 -4 1 -4 FUTURE IMPACTS new roads 22) l -1 m -2 abs 3 m -2 l -1 l -1 l -1 agriculture and l -1 l -1 l -1 l -1 l -1 l -1 l -1 forest transformations 23) tourism (new infrastructures) 24) l -1 abs 3 abs 3 m -2 l -1 l -1 l -1 hunting 25) l -1 m -2 l -1 m .2 m -2 l -1 h -3 new powerlines and wind- l -1 h -5 abs 3 abs 3 m -3 abs 3 abs 3 parks 26) poisoned baits 27) ukn -2 ukn -2 ukn -2 ukn -2 ukn -2 ukn -2 ukn -2 Partial score -7 -9 5 -6 -10 -3 -5

17) ROADS (density): vh = very high (-5 scores); mh = medium-high = (-3 scores); ml = medium-low (-1 score); l = low (2 scores). 18) TOURISM: h = high impact (-3 scores); m = medium impact (-2 scores); l = low impact (-1 scores). 19) HUNTING: h = high impact (-3 scores); m = medium impact (-2 scores); l = low impact (-1 score). 20) POWERLINES AND WINDPARKS: h = high impact (-5 scores); m = medium impact (-3 scores); l = low impact (-1 score); abs=absent (3 scores). 21) POISONED BAITS: irr = irregular (-3 scores); ukn = unknown (-2 score). 22) NEW ROADS: h = high impact (-3 scores); m = medium impact (-2 scores); l = low impact (-1 score); abs = absent (3 scores). 23) AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST TRANSFORMATIONS: h = high impact (-3 scores); m = medium impact (-2 scores); l = low impact (-1 score). 24) TOURISM (new infrastructures): h = high impact (-3 scores); m = medium impact (-2 scores); l = low impact (-1 score); abs = absent (3 scores). 25) HUNTING: h = high impact (-3 scores); m = medium impact (-2 scores); l = low impact (-1 score); abs = hunting absent (3 scores). 26) NEW POWERLINES AND WINDPARKS: h = high impact (-5 scores); m = medium impact (-3 scores); l = low impact (-1 score); abs = absent (3 scores). 27) POISONED BAITS: ukn = unknown (-2 score). 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 106

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Annex 2(4)

GEOGRAFICAL AREAS CHARACTERISTICS - QUALITY (C) AND SCORE (P) CRITERIA A B C D E F G MONTE LIM- MONTI MONTE SUPRA- SARRABUS MONTE SULCIS BARA DI ALÀ ALBO MONTE GERREI LINAS 300KM2 150KM2 300KM2 150KM2 GENNARGENTU QUIRRA 320KM2 900KM2 450KM2 c p c p c p c p c p c p c p SOCIOCULTURAL CRITERIA knowledge of the species 28) msp 3 msp 3 mvu 1 msp 3 msp 3 mvu 1 mvu 1 attitude to vultures 29) ind 1 ind 1 ind 1 ind/neg -2 ind 1 ind 1 ind 1 probable cooperation 30) m 2 l 1 m 2 m 2 m 2 m 2 m 2 Partial score 6 5 4 3 6 4 4 ACTUAL STRUCTURES ENTE FORESTE pre 3 pre 3 pre 3 pre 3 pre 3 pre 3 pre 3 SARDEGNA 31) N.G.Os.32) pre 3 abs 0 pre 3 pre 3 pre 3 pre 3 pre 3 Partial score 6 3 6 6 6 6 6 LEGAL INSTITUTIONS hunting institutions 33) oap, zor, 6 oap, zor, 6 zau 1 oap, zor, 6 oap, zor, 6 oap, zor, 6 oap zor, 6 zau zau zau zau zau zau environmental planning 34) idr 1 idr 1 idr 1 idr 1 idr 1 Idr 1 idr 1 land 3 land 3 land 3 land 3 land 3 land 3 protected areas 35) pSCI, 5 abs 0 pSCI, 5 pSCI, 5 pSCI, 5 pSCI, 5 pSIC 5 (RP) 1 NRI 1 (SPAp), 1 (SPAp), 1 (RP) 1 ZPS, 3 (PN) 1 (RP) 1 (RP) 1 Partial score 16 7 11 17 17 16 19

28) KNOWLEDGE OF THE SPECIES: msp = memory of the species (3 scores); mvu = memory of vultures (1 score); 29) ATTITUDE TO VULTURES: pos = positive (3 scores); ind = indifferent (1 score); ind/neg = indifferent-negative (-2 scores); neg = negative (-3 scores); 30) PROBABLE COOPERATION (local): h = high (4 scores); m = medium (2 scores); l = low (1 score); 31) ENTE FORESTE DELLA SARDEGNA: pre = present (3 scores); abs = absent (0 score); 32) N.G.O.s. (non governmental organizations): pre = present (3 scores); abs = absent (0 score); 33) HUNTING INSTITUTIONS: oap = oasi faunistica permanente (4 scores); zor = zona di ripopolamento e cattura (1 score); zau = zona in concessione auto- gestita (1 score). 34) ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING: idr = idrogeological legislation (1 score); vpa = landscape legislation (3 scores); 35) PROTECTED AREAS: pSCI = proposed Site of Community Importance (5 scores); SPA= Special Protection Area (3 scores); SPAp = Special Protection Areas proposed (1 scores); PN = National Park-instituted but not functioning (1 score); RP = regional park to be established (1 score); NRI= natural reserve to be established (1score); abs = absent (0 score). 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 107

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Bearded Vulture reintroduction project in Andalucia: results at the Breeding Centre Guadalentín

by Alejandro Llopis *, Miguel Ángel Simón**, Fernando Bautista, Manuel del Barco, Elena Macías, Alfon- so Godino, Antonio Lucio Carrasco, Francisco J. Hernández & Miguel Ángel Hortelano.

1. REPRODUCTION 2003/04:

The CCG has worked with the same two reproductive pairs as in the 2002/03 breeding season: BG 124 x BG 041 and BG 186 x BG 153. Bree- ding related behaviour (copulations, incubation process and chick-rearing) was analysed using the same methodology as before.

COPULATING BEHAVIOUR

As in previous years, copulations were divided into 3 GROUPS: I. Successful copulations: copulations with cloacal contact. II. Unsuccessful copulations: copulations without cloacal contact. III. Unclassiﬁed copulations: copulations which could not be directly observed.

BG 124, JOSEPH and BG 041, ZUMETA The different copulation-related parameters were analysed using this classiﬁcation, in order to detect any possible anomaly which could lead to the loss of new chicks. Of all the parameters analysed, the following are highlighted:

BREEDING SEASON 2003/04 Copulation period 5/11/03-6/01/04 No. of days with copulations 63 days Percentage of daylight observation 93.6 % (35246 minutes) Start of copulation-day before egg laying 49 days Successful copulations 223 (77.2%) Unsuccessful copulations 43 (14.9%) Unclassiﬁed copulations 23 (7.9%) Total no. Recorded copulations 289 No. Copulations/day 4.6 No. Copulations/hour 0.49 Min-max, No. Copulations/day 0-10

The pattern observed in the daily number of copulations was similar to that described in previous years, showing an increase in the number of successful copulations during the 2 to 3 weeks prior to laying. The percentage of the number of successful copulations (83.83%), which takes into account only the number of observed copulations (266), was also similar to the average from all cycles from 1998/99 until 2003/04 (83.82±6.18%; n=1438 observed copulations).

Fundación Gypaetus, Plaza de Santa María s/n, Apartado de Correos 15, 23470 Cazorla (Jaén). Spain *[email protected] , ** [email protected] WEB PAGE: www.gypaetus.org 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 108

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BG 286, CABÚS and BG 153, CORBA The same parameters relating to copulating behaviour were analysed for this pair:

BREEDING SEASON 2003/04 Copulation period 9/10/03-21/12/04 No. of days with copulations 84 days Percentage of daylight observation 87.6 % (44714 minutes) Start of copulation-day before egg laying 67 days Successful copulations 114 (23.4%) Unsuccessful copulations 304 (62.4%) Unclassiﬁed copulations 69 (14.2%) Total no. Recorded copulations 487 No. Copulations/day 5.8 No. Copulations/hour 0.65 Min-max, No. Copulations/day 0-13

As in the previous year, substantial differences were detected between the two pairs: the pair formed by BG 286 and BG 153 showed a significantly lower percentage in the number of successful copulations (only 57.1% of a total of 98 observed) and showed increase in the number of successful copulations during the last 2 to 3 weeks prior to laying. The distribution of daily copulations follows a Gauss curve, the laying of the first egg coinciding with the lowest values for copulation (FIGU- RE 1), demonstrating, as in the previous year, that just one successful copulation per day is sufficient for an egg to be fertilized. In contrast, the first egg laid by the pair formed by BG 124 and BG 041 always coincides with the highest frequency of daily copulations (Report 2002, 2003).

18 100 16 90 14 80 70 12 60 10 50 8 40 6 30 4 20 2 10 Figure 1. Number 0 0 of registered copulations per day Day during the period 2003/04 (n=487). successful copulations Unclassified copulations unsuccessful copulations % of observation Black square: laying tendency of the total copulations / % of observation day.

CLUTCHES BG 124, JOSEPH and BG 041, ZUMETA The first egg was laid on 24th December 2003, within the normal date range (24th December ±5.46 days; n=12 clutches). The egg was removed the same day for artificial incubation. After 34 days, inspection with the ovoscope showed that the egg did not contain an embryo, so it was emptied and cleaned ready for storage. The same occurred with the second egg, which was laid on 30th December. The egg was also removed the same day for artificial incubation. After 28 days, inspection with the ovoscope showed that the egg contained no embryo, so it was also emptied and cleaned ready for storage. The third egg was laid on 7th January 2004. Immediately the female was removed from the aviary and the egg’s incubation was entrusted entirely to the male, who completed the process succes- 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 109

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sfully for a third consecutive year. After 24 days of incubation by Joseph, the egg was removed and substituted by a dummy egg, as Joseph had been observed manipulating the egg incorrectly. At 11:02 that morning, Joseph had interrupted the incubation for 7 minutes, he then entered the nest, lifted the egg in his beak and threw it against the side of the cage. He demonstrated his intention to resu- me incubating after a total of 8’50’’ by rearranging the wool in the nest. At this moment, the egg was removed. This proved to contain an embryo and was immediately incubated artiﬁcially until hatching, on 29th February.

Zumeta, BG 041 manipulating an egg

BG 286 CABÚS and BG 153, CORBA The ﬁrst egg was laid on 15th December and the second egg on the 23rd December 2003. Both eggs were incubated naturally until 3rd February 2004. On their removal from the nest, they were substituted by two dummy eggs. The ﬁrst egg was rotten but the second contained an embryo, which hatched on 14th February.

INCUBATING BEHAVIOUR BG 124, JOSEPH and BG 041, ZUMETA As in the previous two years, the male incubated alone, although this time only for 24 days. The egg was removed after this time because the male was observed to manipulate it incorrectly. Howe- ver, the incubation was closely monitored and all parameters were analysed, in particular the trend in the time spent not incubating each day and the number of daily interruptions, as in other years. During this period the percentage of non-incubating time and the number of interruptions per hour were higher than the in last two breeding seasons. However, this is due to the fact that the incubation period only lasted 24 days. At the beginning of the incubation period, the number of interruptions per hour is higher and does not stabilize until the second or third week (Report 2003). Likewise, the percentage of non-incubating time per day did not increase gradually as the incubation process progressed as in other years, because the period analysed was too short. Nevertheless, although the incubation period during this year was shorter, the trend in the mean length of interruptions was similar in all years.

JOSEPH 01/02 JOSEPH 02/03 JOSEPH 03/04 Observation time in minutes 18708 22201 12387 No. of observation days 40 45 25 No. of interruptions 764 877 640 % time of non-incubation 8.73% 8.34% 10.9% Average duration of the interruption 2.14 minutes 2.11 minutes 2.1 minutes No. of interruptions per hour 2.25 2.34 3.1 Variation of interruptions 7.51 8.24 7.28 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 110

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BG 286 CABÚS and BG 153, CORBA As in the previous year, it was the male who incubated for the most part of the day, as shown by the following table:

BG 286 X BG 153 2002/2003 2003/2004 Observation time in minutes 26040 25259 Breeding time for CABÚS in minutes 15953 (61.3%) 15890 (62.9%) Breeding time for CORBA in minutes 8309 (31.9%) 7281 (28.8%) No. of observation days 50 50 No. of interruptions 965 1304 % time of non-incubation 6.8% 8.3% Average duration of the interruption 1.84 minutes 1.6 minutes No. of interruptions per hour 2.22 3.1 Variation of interruptions 2.28 1.51

The trends in the percentage of non-incubating time per day, in the number of interruptions per hour and day, and in the mean length of interruptions per day, were similar to those shown in the previous year, the highest values for the ﬁrst two parameters being observed during the ﬁrst few days of incubation, and values for the latter being stable throughout the incubation period.

HATCHING

BG 124, JOSEPH and BG 041, ZUMETA At 21:00 on February 27th, the chick punctured the shell. Two days later, at 14:50, BG 439 hatched, weighing 152g.

BG 286 CABÚS and BG 153, CORBA The chick punctured the shell in the early hours of 14th February (00:30 a.m.). The same day, at 07:30, the chick began to break the shell and ﬁnally hatched 8 hours later. This chick, BG 434, weighed 159g.

RESULTS, ADOPTION AND RELEASE

BG 434

On 18th February, weighing 207g, this chick was offered to his parents, BG 186 X BG 153, for adoption, and was immediately accepted by them. The chick could be observed clearly until 16.00, alive and well. Between 16:00 and 17:27 the chick could not be seen clearly, as the male, Cabús, did not get up completely. Later, during a change-over which lasted 2 minutes and 10 seconds, the chick was not seen to move, which is unusual in chicks of this age. A check was immediately carried out and the chick was found to be dead in the nest, though its parents continued brooding. It had a frac- tured occiput. Judging by the behaviour of both parents, it was concluded that the chick was killed accidentally. The dead chick was removed and substituted by two dummy eggs, in order to main- tain the pair as possible foster parent for later adoptions. A muscle sample was sent to the Estación Biológica de Doñana in order to sex the dead chick, which was found to be female.

BG 439 As his natural father Joseph has shown a certain aggressiveness with chicks offered for adoption, this chick was adopted by the pair formed by Cabús and Corba on 6th March at 11:40; it weighed 248g. As the adoption process proved to be progressing successfully, the last checks were made at dusk the following, when the chick was offered a supplementary feed, as had been done the previous day. The chick was monitored continuously from the laboratory, using video cameras, during the ﬁrst 21 of its life (the most vulnerable period for this species). 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 111

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When it was 23 days old, the chick was weighed again. It was found to be developing normally and weighed 1395g. When 54 days old, it was removed from the cage to take a blood sample for sexing. It now weighed 5kg. Both the Estación Biológica de Doñana and the laboratory at the Faculty of Science in Zurich sexed the chick as female. On 26th May (at 87 days old), the chick was given another check up before being sent to Austria for release en Martell (Tirol del Sur, Italia). It weighed 6035g. BG 439 was released with the name Ortler on 5th June along with BG 438, a male from La Garenne Zoo (Switzerland; see pages 30 and 52-55, this issue).

BREEDING BEHAVIOUR OF THE IMPRINTED MALE BG 217, GUALAY For the ﬁrst two years of the project, Gualay was kept in the same cage as BG223 whose abnormal behaviour was calmed by the presence of the other bird. There were no other birds to pair BG223 with. As a consequence, attempts to pair Gualay with his carer did not begin until the 98/99 season. Each year, mainly during the breeding season, the only person who entered the cage to feed and remain with the bird was the carer who paired with him. As the bird began to get used to his carer, their relationship became closer and at the end of the breeding season he allowed his carer into the nest. Towards the end of the following breeding cycle, Gualay rebuilt the nest with his carer at his side, but still did not accept the warmed dummy eggs which were offered to him. There were no great changes during the following two cycles. Each time he continued to rebuild the nest with his carer at his side. He ﬁrst showed an interest for the dummy eggs which were offered to him in the 02/03 breeding cycle, almost lying down on top of them. The following table summarizes the amount time that has been spent working with him during the different breeding seasons:

BREEDING SEASON TIME IN MINUTES AVERAGE IN MINUTES / SPENDING DAY 1998/1999 5695 57.5 1999/2000 4300 44.8 2000/2001 4682 43 2001/2002 2561 59.6 2002/2003 3236 55.8

During the 03/04 reproductive cycle, the intensive work with Gualay began on 20th October, when he was observed to have already rebuilt the nest. A total of 5542 minutes (59.6 minutes/day) were spent working with Gualay. He continued to rebuild the nest with his carer and copulated with him for the ﬁrst time on 29th December. The number of copulations per day with the carer increased as the days went by, with a maximum of 6 in a two hour period. On 22nd January, at 10 years of age, he accepted a dummy egg for the ﬁrst time and incubated it perfectly until 16th March, taking turns with his carer without incident. As there were no chicks for adoption, it was not possible to test Gualay’s capacity as a foster parent. However, experience with other human-imprinted birds in the EEP has proved to be positive, and therefore it can be assumed that Gualay is a potential candi- date for future adoptions. Gualay could also incubate naturally the eggs taken from Zumeta in future cycles, as long as Zumeta’s egg-laying coincides with Gualay’s incubation, thus increasing the female’s reproductive success.

RESULTS FROM THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED PAIRS DURING THE 2003/2004 REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE

On 21st November 2003, a new female BG 132 arrived at the centre, from Dresden Zoo (Germany) after the death of her partner (18-05-02). She was at least 36 years old. This female had arrived in Dresden with her partner BG 131 on 24-8-73, from Tallin Zoo, as arranged by Moscow Zoo. During the period from 1987/88 until 1999/2000, the female laid 16 eggs, from which 10 chicks hatched, 9 of them surviving. With the arrival of this new female at the CCG, the unsuccessful attempts to form a breeding pair between BG 223 and BG 103 were halted and the male (BG 223) was paired with BG 132.

1. The pair formed by PINETA (BG 232) – a male from Aragon and member of the male pair – and KENO (BG 329), born in 1999, showed no sign of mating until the end of November 2003. They then both started showing an interest in the nest, bringing material, and preening each other. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 112

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PINETA’S ﬁrst interest in copulation was observed on 14th December, three weeks earlier than in the previous breeding season. There is much hope for this pair in the future.

2. The attempt to mate DAMA (BG 103), an adult female born in 1988, with a new adult male, TUS (BG 223), in the presence of the young female SALVIA, BG 360, was again unsuccessful. Using the same technique which had been apparently been successful with the female BG 278, TÍS- CAR, of pairing her with a younger male, DAMA was paired with the young male TEJO (BG 371). The male has proved to be dominant from the very beginning. The results will not be evident until 2 or 3 breeding cycles have passed.

3. TUS (BG 223) was offered the recently arrived female BG 132, SEGURA. The female weighed only 5.5kg and showed signs of malnutrition, probably because she had been kept in a cage with other species of raptor in Dresden Zoo. Right from the start, the female demonstrated her domi- nance and ate all she could find in her cage. For the first month, the male slept away from the nest and out of the female’s field of vision, but from 17th December onwards, he started sleeping on a perch by the nest. The female has always slept in the nest. The attempt to offer them a dummy egg at the beginning of February was unsuccessful. The have more recently been observed lying in the nest together.

4. TEYO (BG 172) and SABINA (BG 290) have demonstrated the same behaviour as last year, sleeping at least two metres apart, thus showing initial signs of pair-bonding. However, the female is very dominant.

5. The pair bonding process between the young male LAZARO (BG 362) with the female TÍSCAR (BG 278), was very encouraging during the breeding season: the pair have been seen preening each other several times and they sleep less than half a metre apart. However, as soon as the male began to moult and develop his adult plumage, with white feathers appearing on his head, the female began to attack him and push him out of the nest.

6. BOROSA (BG 337) and TOBA (BG 317), both born in 1999, have again shown signs of nest- building, bringing materials and arranging them in the nest. There are great hopes for this pair in the future.

7. Also ELÍAS (BG 313) and VIOLA (BG 330), both born in 1999, have shown signs of mating behaviour, though not as clearly as the previous pair.

8. After rearing, the two chicks hatched in the previous cycle, TRANCO (BG 410, male of 50% pyrenean lineage) and MARRAC (BG 412, female of 100% pyrenean lineage), were placed in the same cage to encourage pairing.

The Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) reintroduction project in Andalusia

by Miguel Simón (*), Francisco J. Hernández (*), Miguel Yanes (*), Alejandro Llopis (*), Antonio Car- rasco (**), Mariló Romero (***), Alfonso Godino (*), José E. Gutiérrez (**), Antonio Valero (*), Fran- cisco Molino (*), Ernesto Saenz (*), Fernando Bautista (*), Manuel del Barco (*), Elena Macías (*), Miguel Hortelano (*), Manuel López (**) & Esperanza Jiménez (**)

The last Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) was seen over the mountains of Cazorla in 1986; the following year there were no sightings. It was then that the Reintroduction Project for the species began. Following IUCN recommendations, the Project is divided into a series of activities:

* Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Andalucía, Fuente del Serbo, 3, 23009 Jaén (España), [email protected] ** Gypaetus Fundation: fundació[email protected]; www.gypaetus.org *** [email protected] 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 113

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FEASIBILITY STUDIES: First, GIS based models were used to identify potential areas in Andalusia, then systematic ﬁeld sampling in these areas was undertaken to collect information on threats, possib- lehacking sites, feeding areas, etc.

THE FIGHT AGAINST POISONS AND OTHER THREATS: A speciﬁc strategy was initiated in 2004 to ﬁght against the use of poisoned bait and to control other threats such as electricity cables, nuisances, etc.

"GUADALENTÍN” BREEDING CENTRE (CENTRO DE CRÍA "GUADALENTÍN”) (CCG): which has 24 birds, 19 from the FCBV, which came from the Vienna Breeding Unit and other centres associated with the EEP, 3 from the Autonomous Regions in the Pyrenees and 2 which were born in the CCG. The CCG has also sent 2 of its chicks for release in the Alps Reintroduction Project (Hohe Tauern National Park, 2003 and Stelvio National Park, 2004).

INFORMATIVE CAMPAIGNS: Campaigns intended to reach all sectors of the public affected (hunters, shepherds, school children, etc.) are being carried out in order to inform the local population about the Project and to encourage them to accept it as theirs. The Project has received 75% of its ﬁnancing for the next 5 years (2004-2009) from the European Union through the Life Nature Programme.

FEASIBILITY STUDIES: The Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) was a common species in Andalusian mountain chains, especially in the Penibetical mountain range in which they bred till beginnings of the XIX century. At the end of this century the population started to decrease (direct and indirect human persecution) until its extinction. The last Andalusian Bearded Vulture survived in the Natural Park of Cazorla, Segura y las Villas, Jaén, until middle of the 80ths in 1986. The feasibility studies carried out in 1991 in this Natural Park gave a positive results for its reintroduction, with an estimated loading capacity of 13 to 15 pairs. This study also recommended to include the rest of the Andalusian mountains as potential reintroduction areas to ensure the long-term viability of the future population. Thus, in 2001 and during two years, the Autonomical Government of Andalusia led the research of the rest of the Andalusian mountains. The aim of these studies were to detect the most favourable areas for the reintroduccion of the Bearded Vulture. For this purpose, statistical model on breeding site selection was applied to the andalusian territory with the help of Geographical Information Systems, GIS. In the areas selected by the statistical model any potential threats like use of poisons, power lines, public areas, roads, forest tracks, and any other potential infrastructure or human activitiy was collected during the ﬁeld work. Food availability, broken bones sites, and hacking sites were evaluated as well. The areas selected by the statistical model were roughly the same known through historical data. Moreover, these areas are currently, and to a great extent, protected areas. Four of these protected areas were recommended as the most suitables areas to start the reintroducction program. All these areas are situated in eastern Andalusia.

THE FIGHT AGAINST POISONS AND OTHER THREATS: Placing poisoned bait in the natural environment is still a relatively common practice in southern Europe. Hunters and farmers use poison to control abundant predators like foxes. However, several endangered species, particularly scavengers, also suffer the consequences of this illegal practice. To decrease the incidence of this problemn and facilitate a succesful reintroduction of the Bearded Vulture in Andalusia, the Andalusian Ministry of Environment has designed a "shock plan” called "Strategy for the erradication of illegal use of poisoned baits in Andalusia”. This strategy contains 61 speciﬁc actions and it entails an important level of coordination between the various National Administrations, including the executive, judiciary, and police levels. Among other questions, this initiative contemplates a better control of the sale of herbicides and pesticides that are likely to be used in baits, the creation of a team specialized in selective predator control, 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 114

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the creation of a dog-team trained to detect poisons, a widespread availability of toxicology tests and, speciﬁcally, toughening of all sanctioning procedures. The strategy is implemented regionally. It is being prepared for the whole of Andalusia, although it will be implemented with special intent in those counties where the Bearded Vulture reintroduction is inminent. JUNTA DE ANDALUCIA Consejería de Medio Ambiente

Phylogeography, genetic structure and diversity in the endangered Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus, L.) as revealed by mitochondrial DNA

by José A. Godoy*, Juan J. Negro**, Fernando Hiraldo**, José A. Donázar**

Bearded Vulture populations in the Western Palearctic have experienced a severe decline during the last two centuries that has led to the near extinction of the species in Europe. In this paper we analyze the sequence variation at the mitochondrial control region throughout the species range to infer its recent evolutionary and to evaluate the current genetic status of the species. This study became possible through the extensive use of museum specimens to study populations now extinct. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the existence of two divergent mitochondrial lineages, lineage A occurring mainly in Western European populations and lineage B in African, Eastern European and Central Asian populations. The relative frequencies of haplotypes belonging to each lineage in the different populations show a steep East-West clinal distribution with maximal mixture of the two lineages in the Alps and Greece populations. A genealogical signature for population growth found for lineage B but not for lineage A and the Clade B haplotypes in Western populations and clade A haplotypes in eastern populations are recently derived, as revealed by their peripheral location in median-joining haplotype networks. This phylogeographic pattern suggests allopatric differentiation of the two lineages in separate Mediterranean and African or Asian glacial refugia, followed by range expansion from the latter leading to two secondary contact suture zones in Central Europe and North Africa. High levels of among population differentiation were observed, although these were not correlated with geographical distance. Due to the marked genetic structure, extinction of Central European populations in the last century resulted in the loss of a major portion of the genetic diversity for the species. We also found direct evidence for the effect of drift altering the genetic composition of the remnant Pyrenean population after the demographic bottleneck of the last century. Our results argue for the management of the species as a single population, given the apparent ecological exchangeability of extant stocks, and support the ongoing reintroduction of mix ancestry birds in the Alps and planned reintroductions in Southern Spain.

CENTRO DE CRÍA "GUADALENTÍN” (CCG):

The GUADALENTÍN BREEDING CENTRE (CCG), run by the Consejería de Medio Ambiente (CMA), Junta de Andalucía, is located in the Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas Natural Park (Jaén). The CCG came into operation on 8th December 1996 and now has 20 cages with 24 Bearded Vultures (13 males and 11 females): 18 from the Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture (FCBV), one from the Aragonese government, two from the Catalan government, one from Jerez Zoo, and two which were born in the Centre itself. The Centre has formed part of the EEP since 1999; its main objectives are to form breeding pairs, to function as genetic reserve and as a refuge for individuals with physical disabilities or with behavioural problems, pairing these birds with the most suitable breeding partner, to work with human-imprinted birds and to adopt chicks from the possible excess of other Centres. Studies undertaken during the last six breeding seasons have involved 10.021 hours of observation of pair A, which includes a female with abnormal behaviour, and two other pairs (B, a natural pair and C, a pair of males). These have enabled the pair A male to incubate and rear three chicks on his own during the last three cycles, two of which have been released in the Alps. Pair B has also produced offspring, with one of their two chicks surviving, and four chicks of varying origins have been adopted.

* Laboratory of Molecular Ecology. Estación Biológica Doñana, CSIC. Pabellón del Perú. Avda. María Luisa, s/n. 41013 Seville, Spain. ** Department of Applied Biology. Estación Biológica Doñana, CSIC. Pabellón del Perú. Avda. María Luisa, s/n. 41013 Seville, Spain. * Author for correspondence: e-mail: [email protected]; Fax: + 34 95 462 11 25 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 115

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CAMPAÑAS DE DIVULGACIÓN: The IUCN advises that a species should only be reintroduced when the factors which caused its extinction have been eliminated. Over 90% of Bearded Vulture deaths are caused by human factors, mainly by poisoning and shooting. In an effort to improve this situation, in January 2002 the FUNDACIÓN GYPAETUS initiated its Social Education Programme for the Bearded Vulture Reintroduc- tion Project in Andalusia. In order to maximize the impact of the awareness campaigns the Pro- gramme divides the general public into different target groups, based on their supposed inﬂuence on the success of the Reintroduction Project, on their accessibility and on how effectively the Pro- gramme campaigners could achieve their objectives with them: primary and secondary school pupils, university students, teachers, forest wardens, the Civil Guard, the regional police force, public prosecutors, judges and magistrates, hunters, game wardens, game managers, stockbree- ders, shepherds, local councils, environmental groups, rural tourism and outdoor pursuit ventures and journalists. A series of speciﬁc actions were then designed for each social and age group in each locality, along with other general actions on which all the others were based. More than 24,000 people have participated directly in these activities, in addition to those who have attended exposi- tions, information stands, read related newspaper articles and radio and television audiences of programmes in which the Project has participated.

Annual Report of the Breeding Centre Natur- und Tierpark Goldau, Switzerland, 2004

by Felix Weber *

BG 174134135 x BG 118154155 First egg on 12th of February 2004. Natural breeding and hatching on the 4th of April 2004 after 52 days. Offspring Hubertus BG 446 (male) was released in Kals on the 1st of July 2004 (p. 27-28, this issue).

BG 060034035 x BG 276199107 One egg on 14th of January 2004, was found broken on the ground of the aviary. 2nd clutch on the 4th of February 2004, natural breeding and hatching on the 29th of March 2004 after 54 days. Both of the adults were extremely nervous (it was their ﬁrst hatching). It seemed that they did not know what to do with the chick. The female started to take the chick out of the nest. We tried to put some meat on the rim of the nest, without success, the chick was killed by the male 30 minutes after hatching.

On the 15th of April 2004, BG 145131132 (male) arrived from Basel Zoo to form a new pair with BG 091. Up to December 2004 both of the birds live together in good harmony. We are looking with hope to the next breeding season.

TELEMETRIE-RESEARCH On the 13th of July 2004, two offspring arrived from Prag and Liberec for the ﬁnal telemetry tests with the RAPPOLE-SYSTEM (see report of DANIEL HEGGLIN, p. 52-55), BG 436180274 and BG 437180274. Both of these birds were transported to Haringsee on the 25th of November 2004.

* Natur- und Tierpark Goldau am Rigi, Postfach 161, CH-6410 Goldau, Switzerland, [email protected] 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 116

114 Miscellanous 2004 Ecological requirements of reintroduced species and the implications for release policy: the case of the bearded vulture

by A. H. Hirzel*†, B. Posse ‡, P.-A. Oggier ‡, Y. Crettenand §, C. Glenz ¶ & R. Arletttaz *‡**

SUMMARY 1. Species undergoing reintroduction offer a unique opportunity for clarifying their specific niche requirements because they are likely, if sufficiently mobile, to colonize the most suitable habitats first. Information drawn from the individuals released first might thus be essential for optimizing species’ policy as reintroductions proceed. 2. Bearded Vultures were extirpated from the European Alps about a century ago. An international reintroduction programme using birds reared in captivity was launched in 1986; up to 2003, 121 individuals had been released at four different locations. Subsequent dispersion throughout the range has been far from homogeneous, resulting in a clumped occurrence of the first breeding pairs within three main zones that do not necessarily coincide with release areas. 3. In order to discern ecological requirements we performed a geographical information system (GIS) analysis of Bearded Vulture sightings collected in Valais (Swiss Alps) from 1987 to 2001. This area harbours no release site, is situated in the core of the Alpine range and has been visited by birds from all four release points. 4. During the prospecting phase (1987–94, mostly immature birds), the most important variable explaining Bearded Vulture distribution was ibex biomass. During the settling phase (1995 –2001), the presence of birds (mostly maturing subadults) correlated essentially with limestone substrates, while food abundance became secondary. 5. The selection of craggy limestone zones by maturing Bearded Vultures might reflect nesting sites that are well protected against adverse weather, as egg laying takes place in the winter. Limesto- ne landscapes, in contrast to silicate substrates, also provide essential finely structured screes that are used for bone breaking and temporary food storage, particularly during chick rearing. Finally, limestone substrates provide the best thermal conditions for soaring. 6. Synthesis and applications. Extrapolated to the whole Alpine range, these findings might explain both the current distribution of the subadult/adult population and the absence of breeding records for Bearded Vultures around release sites in landscapes dominated by silicate substrates. As reintroduced Bearded Vultures tend to be philopatric, we suggest that population restoration would be more efficient if releases were concentrated within large limestone massifs. This case study of the Bearded Vulture illustrates the need for continual adaptive management in captive release programmes.

CORRESPONDENCE: Raphaël Arlettaz, Zoological Institute, Division of Conservation Biology, University of Bern, Baltzer- strasse 6, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland (fax +41 31 631 45 35; e-mail [email protected]).

REMARKS OF THE EDITORS: In point 6, synthesis and applications, the authors suggest to shift release sites to landscapes with large limestone massifs. Consequently they assume a more efficient population restoration. The evaluation of release areas used so far was done after a careful research analysing a rather long list of criteria being important for the Bearded Vulture So all principle requirements have been taken into consideration (MUELLER &BUCHLI 1982). Amongst them there is one, being a „condition sine qua non“ for the functioning of the release technique used in our project (modiﬁed hacking back): the existence of a MAXIMUM OF NATU- RAL FOOD RESSOURCES in the release area (mainly wild ungulates and domestic ones, especially sheep). This is an indispensable requirement for the emancipation of the released juveniles.

MÜLLER, J. P. & C. BUCHLI (1982): Zwischenbericht Projekt Bartgeier. Vergleich von fünf potentiellen Wiedereinbürgerungsgebieten im Alpenraum. WWF Projekt Nr. 1657, Frankfurter Zoologische Gesellschaft Nr. 832/78. p. 1-100.

* Zoological Institute–Conservation Biology, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 6, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland † Laboratory of Conservation Biology, Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland ‡ Bearded Vulture Network Western Switzerland, Nature Centre, CH-3970 Salgesch, Switzerland § Game, Fishery and Wildlife Service, Canton of Valais, Rue de l’Industrie 14, CH-1950 Sion, Switzerland ¶ Laboratory of Ecosystem Management, Institute of Environmental Science and Technology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, CH- 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland ** Swiss Ornithological Institute, Valais Field Station, Nature Centre, CH-3970 Salgesch, Switzerland 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 117

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Status and conservation of the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis in Lesotho

by Grzegorz Kopij *

BEARDED VULTURES IN AFRICA

The Bearded Vulture, or LAMMERGEIER (in Sesotho: NTSU), occurs in the southern Palaercitic and in the Afrotropical Region. In the latter area, its range is discontinuing. Relatively large and stable population occupies the Ethiopian Highlands, where in early 1990’s it was estimated at 1400-2200 pairs (FERGUSON-LEES & CHRISTIE 2001). Two other isolated populations, one in the Eastern African Plateau and the other in Drakensberg/Maloti Mountains, are much smaller and less stable. In Eastern African Plateau, a few pairs occupy each of the following inselbergs and mountains: Kili- manjaro, Mt. Meru, Mt. Elgons, Mt. Kenya, the Cheranganis and the Lolodaiga Hills. An estimate total of 20-30 pairs are left today in this region (BROWN ET AL. 1982, ZIMMERMAN et al. 1996). The remaining, most isolated African population is the second largest African population in this con- tinent and occupies the Drakensberg/Maloti region of the Kwa-Zulu Natal, Eastern Cape, Free State and Lesotho. In early 1980’s the whole population was estimated at c. 200 pairs, 60% of which nested in Lesotho (BROWN 1992). The Lesotho population has however continually declined over the past 20 years. In this paper, I attempt to estimate its present status in this region. This estimate is based on my own records made during my stay in Lesotho in the years 1998-2002, and on other mainly unpublished reports from the second half of 1990’s.

LESOTHO: A MAIN STRONGHOLD OF SOU- THERN AFRICAN POPULATION Lesotho is an enclave within the Repu- blic of South Africa. The lowest point is at 1388 m a. s. l., while the highest (Thabana Ntlenyana) at 3 482 m a. s. l. It is the only country in the world with all its land situated more than 1000 m a. s. l. Lesotho has a surface of 30 300 km2 which can be divided into four physical regions: the mountain, foothills, Senqu valley and the lowlands (Fig. 1). The basaltic mountains, called Maloti or Drakensberg (two-thirds of the total area), make up of five ranges: Drakensberg, Southern Border (these two form the Great Escarpment), Front, Thaba Putsoa and Central Range (FIGURE 1). The Lowlands (below 1 800 m a. s. l.) form the eastern part of the High Veld and falls entirely below the Figure 1. Physical regions in Lesotho, with marked areas, where Bearded Vul- tures were counted during the years 1998-2002 (numbered as in Table 1). Grey creamy-white sandstone cliffs of the – Senqu Valley; 17-20 – lowlands; 16 – foothills; 1-14 – mountains. Clarens Formation. The foothills zone (with the Makhaleng Valley) extends across mainly flat plateaus to steep slopes which rise to its eastern boundary on the watershed of the Front Range of the Maloti. The Senqu Valley with its mainly sedimentary rocks is actually the area within the Maloti below 1 800 m a. s. l., where summer wheat is not grown. The natural vegetation of the Lowlands and the lower Senqu Valley is the Highveld Grassland (also called Moist Cold Highveld Grassland or Cymbopogon-Themeda Veld), most of which is at present converted into cultivated fields. The Afroalpine Grasslands (called also Themeda-Festuca Alpine Veld) correspond to the summit plateau over 2 500 m a. s. l. The Afromontane Grasslands (called

* Department of Zoology & Ecology, Agricultural University of Wroc_aw, ul. Ko_uchowska 5b, 51-631 Wroc_aw, Poland; [email protected] 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 118

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also Alti Mountain Grassland) consist of remainder of the Maloti, foothills and the upper Senqu Valley.

PRESENT STATUS OF THE BEARDED VULTURE IN LESOTHO

The first literature record of the Bearded Vulture in Lesotho goes back to 1903 (CLANCEY 1966). A first very rough, but conservative estimate of the Lesotho population, at least 20 breeding pairs, has been made by CLANCEY (1966) in 1960’s. L. H. BROWN (1977) gave first reliable estimate of c. 100 breeding pairs for this country. C. J. BROWN (1992) confirmed this estimate in 1980’s. Based on more precise calculations, he arrived to the number – 122 breeding pairs. The estimate was, however, not so accurate as the precise number might suggest. Furthermore, a rapid population increase in 1980’s and 1990’s caused a decline of the Bearded Vulture, especially apparent in the Low- lands, Foothills and in the Senque Valley. Its present status needs therefore to be revised. Instead of a strict protection, the well- known site in the Mapho- tong Gorge in the Roma Valley has been disused from 1983 as a result of human disturbance (GUY 1974, KOPIJ 2001). In the second half of 1990’s only two other sites in the Lowlands were known to be still occupied: Bitso-Lebe (17 km E of Teyateyaneng) and Machache (25 km E of Maseru). In the Foothills, the Bearded Vul- ture population has also suffered a marked decline. In late 1990’s, only two pairs were known in this zone (TABLE 1). Also in the whole Senqu Valley, a few pairs only were left in late 1990’s (TABLE 1). At present, about 90% of all bree- Maphotong Gorge in the Roma Valley a former traditional breeding site of Bearded Vultu- ding pairs of Bearded Vultures res disused from 1983 as a result of human disturbance. inhabit the Highlands zone in Lesotho. In the course of surveys carried out in 13 places in this zone (FIGURE 1), 27-35 breeding sites have been recorded (TABLE 1). In the Malibamatso valley (today Katse Dam catchment area, with a surface of 1 600 m2), during the years 1991-92, 2-3 breeding pairs were recorded, i. e. 1.3-1.9 pairs per 1 000 km2. The area is located between 2 000 and 3 100 m a. s. l. and is deeply incised by the Malibamatso and Bokong rivers and their tributaries. The land is steeply sloping there and soil shallow. It is underlain by basalts of the Karoo Sequence. Annual rainfall increases there with the altitude from 600 to 1 200 mm. Summers are mild and wet, while winters cold and dry. Snow can occur at any time of the year. About 18 000 people inhabits the basin. One of the highest concentration of breeding Bearded Vultures in Lesotho is reported, however, from the other basin, the Jordane/Bekong/Senqunyane catchment area (planned as Mohale Dam basin), in habitat similar to that in the Katse Basin. During the years 1995-96, nine pairs (i. e. 8.0 pairs per 1 000 km2) were recorded as nesting there (ALLAN et al. 1996). Smaller areas with relatively high concentration of breeding Bearded Vultures were reported also from the Upper Quthing Valley (10.0 pairs per 1 000 km2), Sehonghong/Matabeng area (7.5 pairs per 1 000 km2) and the Upper Senque River (3.8 pairs per 1 000 km2).

Based on densities recorded from the Katse and Mohales Dams basins (TABLE 1), an average 4.4 pairs per 1 000 km2 was calculated for these areas. This ﬁgure is however not representative for the whole Highlands. During the years 1986-89, OSBORNE & TIGAR (1990) did not record even the presence of any Bearded Vulture in 15 out of 33 quarter-degree square grids (each grid = 24 x 27.5 km, i. e. 660 km2) in the Highlands. In areas around Semonkong Thaba Tseka. Maﬁka/Lisiu, 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 119

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Table 1. Population size of the Bearded Vulture in selected areas in Lesotho during the years 1996-2002.

NO. NAME OF THE AREA APPR. SIZE NUMBER OF SOURCE (KM2) PAIRS

HIGHLANDS 9020 27-35 1 Liqobong valley 100 1 BARNES, 1998 2 Mafika-Lisiu arae 500 0 BARNES, 1998 3 Katse Dam catchment area 1600 2-3 ALLAN et al. 1996 4 Mohale Dam catchment area 1120 9 TARBOTON et al. 1996 5 Mokhotlong area 800 2-3 G. KOPIJ 6 Upper Senqu valley 800 3-5 BARNES, 1998 7 Thaba-Tseka area 700 1-2 G. KOPIJ 8 Sani Pass area 700 0 G. KOPIJ 9 Sehonghong/Matabeng area 400 3-5 BARNES 1998, G. KOPIJ 10 Senqunyanye river from Marakabei to 700 1 ALLAN et al. 1996 confluence with Senque 11 Semonkong area 1100 2 G. KOPIJ 12 Sehlabathebe National Park and neigh- 200 0 KOPIJ 2002 bouring area 13 Upper Quthing valley 300 3-4 G. KOPIJ SENQU VALLEY 3700 2 14 Lower Senqu valley 3000 1 G. KOPIJ 15 Middle Senqu valley from confluence of 700 1 ALLAN et al. 1996 Senqunyane to Mt. Moorosi FOOTHILLS 1500 2-3 16 Mahaleng valley 1500 2-3 G. KOPIJ LOWLANDS 6454 1-3 17 Butha Buthe/Leribe districst 1 654 0-1 G. KOPIJ 18 Teyateyaneng district 1000 0-1 G. KOPIJ 19 Maseru district 2000 1-2 KOPIJ 2001, G. KOPIJ 20 Mafikeng/Mohale’s Hoek districts 1 800 0 G. KOPIJ TOTAL 20664 32-43

Senqunyanye river from Mara- kabei to conﬂuence with Sen- que, and especially in the Afroal- pine Grasslands, Bearded Vul- tures breed in densities lower than one pair per 1000 km2. These areas occupy more than half of the Highlands zone (cf. Table 1). Taking this into account, the whole Highlands population of the Bearded Vultu- re can be estimated at 50-60 pairs, which gives an average density of 2.2-2.7 pairs per 1 000 km2. With the remaining 5- 10 pairs in other parts of the country, the whole Lesotho Semonkong Gorge, a well-known breeding colony of Bearded Vultures, Bald Ibises, Black population can be therefore esti- Storks and formerly Cape Vultures. mated at 55-70 breeding pairs. This constitutes roughly half of the number reported from1980’s 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 120

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(BROWN 1992). The discrepancy between BROWN’S (1992) and the presented estimate is due mainly to a real decrease in the number of breeding Bearded Vultures over the past 20 years or so. BROWN (1992) could have also slightly overestimated the real number in 1980’s, if he had focused more on these areas in Lesotho, where Bearded Vultu- res bred in higher densities.

CONSERVATION OF THE BEARDED VULTURE IN LESOTHO In Lesotho, the Bearded Vulture Upper Mahkaleng river valley near Machache, one of a few remaining breeding sites of is legally protected under the the Bearded Vulture in the foothills. Proclamation of Monuments, Relics, Fauna and Flora (Legal Notice 36 of 1969; Laws of Lesotho 14 of 1969, p. 338-339). This proclamation is written in English

Table 2. Estimated number of Bearded Vulture breeding pairs during the years 1996-2002 in various biomes in Lesotho.

AREA PROPORTION OF ESTIMATED NUMBER OF (KM2) THE COUNTRY BEARDED VULTURE PAIRS Highveld Grassland 6941 23.5 2-5 Mountain Grassland 22607 76.5 53-65 Afromountain Grassland 15489 52.4 50-60 Afroalpine Grassland 7118 24.1 0 Other biomes 4 0.0 0 TOTAL 29558 100.0 55-70

and unfortunately has not been translated into Sesotho (the mother tongue of almost all Basotho which constitute 98% of Lesotho population). Furthermore, it is now out of print and so that only a few legal scholars know it today. If an ordinary villager knows about this proclamation, it may be because unwitting infringement and consequent punishment. For instance, in 1980, a man was arrested for possessing five skins of the Bearded Vulture and one each of the Cape Vulture and the Black Eagle, caught with a metal spring-trap baited with goat flesh. The skins had been brought from a shepherd who trapped the birds near Tsoafo, Leribe district (AMBROSE 1983). Resentment is understandable in such circumstances, and may prevent its implementation. The important Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed by Lesotho but never ratified simply for too high cost of its implementation. Lesotho has only one national park – Sehlabathebe (65 km2) and five small reserves. The total surface of these protected areas, 106 km2, is an equivalent to only 0.35% of Lesotho’s land. Even so, all breeding sites of the Bearded Vulture are outside these reserves and the park. As more than 60% of all Bearded Vultures in southern Africa occur in Lesotho, Basotho have an international responsibility for the welfare and protection of this charismatic species. Places with high concentrations of breeding pairs, such as the Mohale and Katse Basins, Upper Quthing and Senqu rivers, the Sehonghong/Matabeng area or the Semonkong Gorge should be protected as nature reserves or even as national parks (the Upper Senqu river, and the Mohales Dam). 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 121

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There are many other endangered and rare animal and plant species in these areas (BARNES 1998, KOPIJ 2001), although full documentation of their ﬂora and fauna is still lacking.

REFERENCES

AMBROSE D. (1983). Lesotho’s Herita- ge in Jeopardy. Maseru: Protection and Preservation Commission. ALLAND D., SPOOTTISWOODE C. & WHIT- TINGTON P. (1996). Birds. pp.59-79. In: Lesotho Highland Water Project, final report, contract no. 1008, baseline biology survey and reserve development, phase 1B, vol. 6: downstream studies. In the past creamy-white sand-stone cliffs of the Clarens formation in the High Veled Darling (South Africa): AfriDev. Consul- (lowlands) were also occupied by the Bearded Vultures. tans. ALLAN D., JENKINS K., BARNES K. & WHITTINGTON P. (1996). Birds. pp.116-173. Lesotho Highland Water Project, final report, contract no. 1008, baseline biology survey and reserve development, phase 1B, vol. 3: Fauna. Darling (South Africa): AfriDev. Consultans. ALLAND D., SPOOTTISWOODE C. & WHITTINGTON P. (1996). Birds. pp.59-79. In: Lesotho Highland Water Project, final report, contract no. 1008, baseline biology survey and reserve development, phase 1B, vol. 6: downstream studies. Darling (South Africa): AfriDev. Consultans. BARNES K. N. (1998). Important bird areas of Lesotho. pp. 281-294. In: The Important Bird Areas of Southern Africa. Johannesburg: BirdLife South Africa. BONDE K. (1993). Birds of Lesotho: a guide distribution past and present. Pietermaritzburg: Natal Univ. Press. BROWN C. J. (1992). Distribution and status of the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus in southern Africa. Ostrich, 63(1): 1-9. BROWN L. H. (1977). The status, population structure and breeding dates of the African lammergeier, Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis. Raptor Research, 11(3): 49-58. CLANCE Y P. A. (1966). The lammergeier in South Africa. Bokmakierie, 18(3): 60. FERGUSON-LEES J. & CHRISTIE D. A. (2001). Raptors of the Worlds. London: Christopher Helm. GUY J. J. (1974). The lammergeyer (seoli) in Lesotho. Linonyana tsa Lesotho, 1(2): 4. KOPIJ G. (2001). Birds of Roma Valley, Lesotho. Roma (Lesotho): Department of Biology, National University of Leso- tho. 40 pp. KOPIJ G. (2001). Areas Proposed for Environmental Education and Biodiversity Conservation in Maseru District, Lesotho. P.150-167. In: Mokuku T., Bitso L. and Lana A. F. (eds.). Environmental Education for Sustainable Deve- lopment: African Perspectives. Maseru, October 2001. KOPIJ G. (2002). The birds of Sehlabathebe National Park, Lesotho. Koedoe, 45: 65-78. LOW A. B. & REBELO A. G. (1996). Vegetation of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Pretoria: Dept. of Environm. Affairs. ORBORNE P. E., TIGAR B. J. (1990). The status and distribution of birds in Lesotho. Unpubl. rep. TARBOTON W. R., VERON C. T., ALLAN D. & LITTLER R. M. (1993). Final Report: baseline biological survey, fauna and flora, Lesotho highlands Water Phase 1A, Contract no. 75, Vol. 7: Birds. Johannesburg: Loxton, Venn & Assoc. ZIMMERMAN D. A., TURNER D. A., & PEARSON D. J. (1996). Birds of Kenya and Northern Tanzania. Halfway House: Rus- sel Firedman Books.

Photos were made by the author. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 122

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Soaring to Extincton: The population status of the Bearded Vulture, Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis, in southern Africa

by Sonja Krüger * & Douglas van Zyl

INTRODUCTION

Study area The authors work for a provincial conservation body within the western part of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN)province, which includes the Drakensberg escarpment. Most of the KZN section of the escarpment is a protected area called the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park. The Park is a World Heritage Site (WHS) and is part of a Transfrontier conservation area with Lesotho. The Park is a WHS for its biodiversity and cultural values. It has over 2000 species of plants of which 98 are endemic to the Park, and 119 species are internationally threatened. 300 bird species are recorded in the Park of which 10 are listed as globally threatened / endangered. 48 species of mammals occur in the Park. There are over 600 rock art sites within the park with over 35 000 San rock art images which are up to 2500 years old. The UDP is also part of the Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Conservation area.

The VISION of the Transfrontier Conservation Project is: Establish a framework for co-operation between Lesotho and South Africa to ensure the protection and sustainable use of the natural and cultural heritage of the Maloti-Drakensberg Mountains for the beneﬁt of present and future generations.

The OBJECTIVES of the Transfrontier Conservation Project are: Conserve globally signiﬁcant biodiversity Conserve globally signiﬁcant Cultural Heritage Contribute to community development through sustainable livelihoods

VULTURE SPECIES The two vulture species that occur in the Drakensberg are the Cape Griffon Vulture, Gyps copro- theres and the Bearded Vulture, Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis. Although the presentation con- centrates on the Bearded Vulture, the trends are similar for both species since they occupy the same niche in this environment.

POPULATION STATUS The Bearded Vulture is endangered according to the IUCN categories of threat. It has been classi- ﬁed as such due to its small and declining population size, restricted range, range contraction, and susceptibility to several threats in Lesotho and South Africa. CHRISTOPHER BROWN found there to be 204 breeding pairs in the 1980’s; 122 in Lesotho, 42 in KwaZulu-Natal (37 in UDP), 17 in Eastern Cape, 6 in Free State, 4 in QwaQwa, 16 in North Eastern Cape. The Cape Griffon Vulture is classiﬁed as vulnerable. 90% of the world’s population occurs in southern Africa. The bird is extinct in some provinces and countries of Southern Africa and the population has shown major declines in the rest of its range. During the 20th century the number of Cape Griffon roosting and breeding sites has declined from 441 to 167. Its range has contracted throughout South Africa and Lesotho and approximately 3000 pairs remain. The species is declining by 0.75 birds per year. There has been a 20% population decline in last three generations, qualifying it as Vulnerable. Threats to the species include food

* KZN Wildlife, P.O. Box 13053, Cascades, 3202, South Africa, [email protected] 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 123

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shortages, electrocutions, poisonings, drownings and disturbance at breeding and roosting sites.

PREVIOUS RESEARCH Detailed research into the biology, population structure, distribution and feeding ecology of the Bear- ded Vulture was undertaken in the Drakensberg in the early 1980s by BROWN (1988). BROWN, in a later paper, documented the decline in the range of the species and the number of individuals, and listed several threats responsible for this (BROWN 1991). No further research or formal monitoring was undertaken until 2000. Results from recent surveys indicate that population numbers are still declining along the Drakens- berg escarpment. Without the immediate implementation of conservation measures, this isolated population could soon become extinct in southern Africa.

MONITORING PROGRAMME A monitoring programme was implemented in 2000. The programme aims to determine the status and distribution of the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis in the uKhahlamba Dra- kensberg Park and surrounding areas.

DISTRIBUTION The African subspecies G. b. meridionalis, occurs south of the Tropic of Cancer. The race meridionalis has an isolated population in southern Africa whose breeding range is conﬁ- ned to about 35 000 km2 in the Drakensberg and Maloti mountains of the KwaZulu-Natal province and Lesotho (BARNES 2000). This race also occurs peripherally in the Eastern Cape and the Free State province. The foraging range of the Bearded Vulture in southern Africa is about three times larger than its breeding range, some 100 000 km2 (Brown 1992). Historically, the distribution of the Bearded Vulture in southern Africa was far more widespread (BROWN 1991). The species has lost 38% of its former breeding range, approximately 21 000 km2, mainly in the Eastern and Western Cape. The Bearded Vulture is currently extinct in Western Cape (c. 1940), it has declined dramatically in the Eastern Cape (VERNON & BOSHOFF 1997), and it no longer breeds in the Free State (COLAHAN & ESTERHUIZEN 1997). In Lesotho sightings in the lowlands are rare and some nesting sites are no longer used (MAPHISA 1997). Although the reasons for this large range contraction are not well understood, it is thought that dis- placement by humans and livestock at lower altitudes and the degeneration of many of its habitats were the main causes (MUNDY et al. 1992).

POPULATION SIZE Apart from the aerial and ground surveys undertaken by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife staff from 2001 to 2004, no formal surveys have been undertaken to determine the population status of the Bearded Vulture in southern Africa. KRÜGER and VAN ZYL (2004) estimate the UDP WHS population to be approximately 23 pairs, two-thirds of BROWN’S (1992) estimates. Overall in SA, the decline seems to be almost 50% because it no longer occurs in three of the six provinces where it used to occur in South Africa and numbers have declined drastically in the other two provinces where sightings re reported to be rare. Similar results are assumed for Lesotho based on results of limited surveys being undertaken there. Although the number of individuals is a minimum estimate, the indication is that there has been a dramatic decline in Bearded Vulture numbers since 1994. Trends for the Cape Griffon are similar to that of the Bearded Vulture indicating that the decline in numbers is continuing. Monitoring results indicate that there is deﬁnite evidence of continuing declines, the threats have not been addressed and new threats have been identiﬁed. A number of threats (listed below) are assumed to have negatively affected the breeding success and increased the mortality of the population. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 124

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These include human disturbance and persecution, deliberate and unintentional poisoning coupled with limited conservation efforts/initiatives.

THREATS Most Important Threats - Poisoning (Lesotho and South Africa) - Other forms of persecution - Food shortage as a result of habitat change & poverty Other Threats – Vulture restaurant management (including veterinary drugs) – Disturbance by air traffic (helicopters) – Disturbance at nests by climbers & stock farming – Powerline collisions – Limited conservation efforts – Traditional medicine

BROWN (1991, 1997) found that poisoning accounted for a high percentage (68%) of known deaths, as well as certain animal population control methods (BROWN 1991). BROWN (1991) suggests that the injudicious use of poison by farmers was the driving force in the species becoming extinct from areas in which they used to occur.

BROWN (1991) also reported disturbance during the breeding season where eggs were stolen and young birds attacked by vandals. MAPHISA (1997) reported similar trends in Lesotho, namely the direct persecution of adults and robbing nests of chicks and eggs. The deliberate shooting of vultures, for traditional medicine, food and ceremonial purposes, is a serious and increasing threat in Lesotho (MAPHISA 1997, MUNDY et al.1992). In the Eastern Cape (VERNON & BOSHOFF 1997) found stock farming to negatively impact the birds by disturbance at the nest. Although none of the above mentioned threats are recent reports (post 1997), they have not been adequately addressed over the past few years and there is no reason to suggest that they no longer pose a threat to the current population. Deliberate poisoning appears to be an ongoing threat in Lesotho. In South Africa, unintentional poisonings may pose a threat to Bearded Vulture feeding at vulture restaurants. The latter poisonings refer to the carcasses of stock that have been treated with certain veterinary drugs, such as non- steroidal anti-inﬂammatory drugs that have been shown to be lethal to certain species of vultures. Disturbance by climbers and air traffic (in particular helicopters) has been known to cause nest site desertion and / or increased egg and chick predation by ravens and/or crows in Europe (MARGALI- DA & GARCIA 1999). Although the impact of the above has not been quantiﬁed for the Drakensberg Escarpment, it does cause concern because these impacts may displace birds and force them to move into areas of unfavourable environmental conditions and higher human population densities which in turn may affect their breeding and the conservation of the species. Powerline collisions also account for a few deaths.

WAY FORWARD Research

– THREATS: Traditional medicine, poisonings Indiscriminate poisonings and nest disturbance must be addressed both within Lesotho and South Africa. The threats to the birds in terms of their use in traditional medicine need to be addressed as a matter of priority. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 125

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– SATELLITE TRACKING of young birds (foraging range) A study on the foraging range of young birds would provide useful information which can be used to address the threats to this age class in an attempt to reduce the high mortality experienced by them.

CONSERVATION INITIATIVES – Vulture restaurant management Restaurant management must be monitored continually and the establishment of new restaurants should be encouraged. It is however critical that the correct type of food is placed at these sites. – Extensive surveys in Lesotho & continue baseline survey in South Africa – Conservation areas in Lesotho The Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Project should be used as a vehicle to encourage conservation areas in Lesotho, suggested by BROWN (1989), which will protect the entire range of a few pairs. In addition, the project could facilitate future monitoring efforts such as road counts and nest site surveys, as well as initiatives aimed at addres- sing the threats to Bearded Vulture in Lesotho. – Develop conservation plans for both species

CAPTIVE BREEDING & RE-INTRODUCTIONS The southern African Bearded Vulture population is a small and isolated one which is habitat bound and therefore can be seriously affected by episodic events. To reduce the possibility of such events affecting the entire population, the possibility of establishing pairs in the areas of former occupation should be considered. However, re-introductions should only be considered if the original factors resulting in the bird’s extinction from the areas have been adressed. PHOTO: S. KRÜGER, SOUTHAFRICA Douglas van Zyl at Greys Pass

CONCLUSION Although the presentation shows that data are not available for the entire southern Afri- ca, the recent surveys indicate a decline in numbers, and that several threats to the population have not been adequately addressed. The Bearded Vulture is a spe- cialised species in terms of its habitat requirements and food choice, and conservation areas cannot adequately contain a pair of Bearded Vulture nor provide sufficient food throughout the year (BROWN & PLUG 1990). Management and conservation of the population must therefore rely on partnerships between conservation organisations and landowners. These partnerships together with education and awareness programmes and a concer- ted effort to address the threats to the species will go a long way to ensuring their long-term survival.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We gratefully acknowledge KZNW, the Wildlands Trust, Sasol through the Vulture Study Group and the MDTP for ﬁnancial assistance with the monitoring programme. 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 126

124 Miscellanous 2004

The FCBV Annual Meeting

by Paolo & Laura Fasce*

On the 15th of October 2004, the FCBV Annual Meeting took place in Termignon, Savoie, Vanoise, France, where it was hosted by the National Park de la Vanoise.

The President of FCBV, MAARTEN BIJLEVELD VAN LEXMOND, opened the meeting, and said to be happy to be able to see old as well as new friends of the Bearded Vulture. He especially welcomed the Directors of participating Zoological Gardens present, DR. FELIX WEBER of Goldau, Switzerland, and MATI KAAL, Tallinn Zoo, Estonia, and the South-African ornithologists SONJA KRÜGER and DOUGLAS VAN ZYL. The communications, which can be found in this same Bulletin, were presented as listed in the Agenda underneath:

Morning Chairman: Maarten BIJLEVELD VAN LEXMOND, President of FCBV

Results of breeding and reintroduction in 2004

FREY Hans (Austria): " The reproduction in the breeding centres "

KNOLLSEISEN Michael (Austria): "The reintroduction in Kals and the breeding failure in the wild "

HEGGLIN Daniel, SWILD-urban ecology & wildlife research (Switzerland): " The reintroduction in Martell, National Park Stelvio (Italy) "

GARDET Patrick, ASTERS (France): "The reintroduction in Haute-Savoie (France) "

MARTINELLI Laura & GIRAUDO Luca, Natural Park Alpi Marrittime. (Italy): "The reintroduction in Argen- tera (Italy)"

The reproduction in the wild in 2004

GUNSCH Hanspeter (Italy): "The reproduction in Stelvio National Park (Italy) "

ZIMMERMAN Marie, ASTERS (France): " The reproduction in Haute-Savoie (France) "

DALIX Jean François, SURET Henri & SANTINI Joris, National Park de la Vanoise (France): " The reproduction in Vanoise "

COULOUMY Christian, National Park Ecrins (France): " The Bearded Vulture in Hautes-Alpes and Isère (France) "

FASCE Paolo, BERGESE Franco & BORNEY Stefano: " Evolution of territorial pairs in the Italian Western Alps "

RAZIN Martine, Coordination Casseur d'os/LPO-FIR (Pyrenees, France): " The reproduction in the Pyrenees"

Monitoring

ZINK Richard, National Park Hohe Tauern (Austria) : "The results of monitoring "

Afternoon – ﬁrst part Chairman: Maarten BIJLEVELD VAN LEXMOND, President of FCBV FCBV’s strategy for the next 5-10 tears

Paolo FASCE, Hans FREY & Michel TERRASSE: "FCBV’s future strategy for the conservation of the Bearded Vulture and the other European Vulture species in Europe "

* Via G. d´Annunzio 2/112, I-16121 Genova, ITALIA, [email protected] 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 127

2004 Miscellaneous 125

Afternoon – second part Chairman: Paolo FASCE, Secretary of FCBV

SCHENK Helmar (Italy): "Feasibility study for the reintroduction of the Bearded Vulture in Sardinia "

SEGUIN Jean François, Natural Regional Park Corsica (France): "Evaluation of the extinction risk and of conservation alternatives for the population of Bearded Vulture in Corsica "

ARLETTAZ Raphaël, Swiss Ornithological Institute (Switzerland): " Ecological needs of reintroduced species and the implications of reintroduction strategies: the case of Bearded Vulture "

HEGGLIN Daniel, SWILD-urban ecology & wildlife research (Switzerland) : " Monitoring Argos of the Bearded Vulture : tests of technical ﬁxing on captive birds and ﬁrst results with marked juveniles "

PAOLO FASCE closed the meeting, warmly thanking the National Park Vanoise for the hospitality and the perfect organization of the Meeting, the attendants and the interpreters.

Flute sounds, coming from a Bearded Vulture bone

by Friedrich Seeberger *

A special exhibition was opened in the Württembergisches Landesmuseum Stuttgart (Germany; http://www.landesmuseum-stuttgart.de/) on 4th of November 2004. The exhibition was named: „The Swan-Wing-Bone-Flute“. A variety of young-palaeolithical flutes, coming from Isturitz, French Pyrenees and from Grubgraben close to Kammern, Austria are shown, amongst them one found in Geißenklösterle, Schwäbische Alb, Germany, which is 35.000 years old. The flute found in Geißenklösterle, manufactured from the radius of a whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) and the one found in Grubgraben, made from a tibia of a reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) were the role models for playable replicas, which can be heared in the exhibition. It was of utmost interest to produce a playable replica of the best preserved flute of Isturitz, which is made from the ulna of a Bearded Vulture. In order to get the most true to original copy, we contacted the responsible persons of the Bearded Vulture Reintroduction Project in Austria, Switzerland, Spain and Germany. Thanks to DR. HANS FREY, from the Institute of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria, we received the ulna of a Bearded Vulture (BG 013, originating presumably from the former Sovjetunion, male, founder, received on 8th of May 1979 from Ouwehand Dierenpark Rhenen in the Netherlands. The bird died on 17th of December 1985). The replika was manufactured using the drawings of Dom. Buisson. The preserved distal end of the original flute shows that it was played as angular flute without any apparatus for blowing. This technique of playing a flute is used for the bone and wood flutes by herdsmen and nomads of the Mediterraneans up to present times. Such flutes are known under the names FLOJÉRA (Greek), NAY (Arabic) or KAVAL (Persian). The following sounds can be played on the „Bearded-Vulture-Bone-Flute“: F-sharp´´, G-sharp´´, A- sharp´´, C-sharp´´´, D-sharp´´´, F´´´, G´´´, A´´´, C-sharp´´´, D´´´. The irregular gaps between the grip holes point to the fact that young-paleolithical constructors of flutes searched for acceptable sounds. The result of the playing on this replica showed that they found the sounds. The exhibition in the Württembergisches Landesmuseum is opened until 31st of January 2004. Afterwards it will be a moving exhibition with first stops in Switzerland.

* Württembergisches Landesmuseum Stuttgart, Schillerplatz 6, D-70173 Stuttgart, BRD. [email protected] 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 128

BG 087 x BG 054 in the Breeding Centre Haute Savoie, France

Photo: MARIE ZIMMERMANN, ASTERS, FRANCE

Bearded Vulture Annual Report 2004

Publisher: Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture (F.C.B.V) Wassenaar, The Netherlands

Editors: H. FREY*, G. SCHADEN* & M. BIJLEVELD VAN LEXMOND** * Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Wien, Austria. ** FCBV, 46, Pertuis - du - Sault, CH-2000 Neuchatel, Switzerland

Layout: G. SCHADEN

Print: GUGLER print & media Pielach 101, A-3390 Melk, Austria

Copies available from Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Wien, Austria)

Copyright © by Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 129 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 130 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 131 19466P_Bartgeier_JB2004 19.10.2005 15:30 Uhr Seite 132