The Eurasian Griffon Vulture in Europe and the Mediterranean. Status report & Action Plan

Full text

ISBN 3-200-00448-7
Status report and Action plan
The Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus)
in Europe and the Mediterranean
Compiled and edited by
SLOTTA-BACHMAYR L., BÖGEL R. and CAMINA CARDENAL A.
ISBN
ISBN 3-200-00448-7

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Publishes by: EGVWG, Salzburg, Austria and Madrid, Spain
Copyright: 2004, Easteuropean/mediterranean Griffon Vulture Working Group
(EGVWG)
Reproduction of this publication for educational and other non-commercial purposes
is authorized without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the
source is fully acknowledged.
Reproduction of this publication for resole or other commercial purposes is prohibited
without prior written permission of the copyright holder.
Citation: L. Slotta-Bachmayr, R. Bögel and Camina Cardenal A. 2005. The Eurasian
Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) in Europe and the Mediterranean. EGVWG,
Salzburg, Austria, 100 pp.
ISBN 3-200-00448-7
Cover photo: Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) (Ralf Bögel)
Layout by: Leopold Slotta-Bachmayr
Produced by: Leopold Slotta-Bachmayr, EGVWG, Minnesheimstr. 8b, 5020
Salzburg, AUSTRIA
Available from: Easteuropean/mediterranean Griffon Vulture Working Group
Minnesheimstr. 8b, 5020 Salzburg, AUSTRIA
www.gyps.org

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The Eurasian Griffon Vulture
(Gyps fulvus ssp.)
in Europe and the Mediterranean
Status report and Action plan
compiled and edited by
SLOTTA-BACHMAYR L., BÖGEL R.
& CAMINA CARDENAL, A.
East European / Mediterranean Griffon Vulture Working Group
2004

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Contributors
Albania
Bratislav GRUBAC
Institute for the Protection of Nature in Serbia
III Bulevar 106
11070 Novi Beograd
SERBIA and MONTENEGRO
Armenia
Mamikon GHASABIAN
Armenian Society for the Protection of Birds
Garegin Nzhedh 27/2, 10
Yerevan 375026
ARMENIA
Karen AGHABABIAN
Institute of Zoology of Armenia NAS
Laboratory of Vertebrate Animals
P. Sevak 7
Yerevan 375014
ARMENIA
Austria
Ralf BÖGEL
Leopold SLOTTA-BACHMAYR
Zoo Salzburg
5081 ANIF
AUSTRIA

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Bulgaria
Hristo HRISTOV
Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds, BirdLife Bulgaria
Nature Information and Conservation Centre Eastern Rhodopes
Dimitar Madjarov Str.
6480 Madjarovo
BULGARIA
Croatia
Goran SUSIC
Ornithological Station Cres, Institute of Ornithology
Ede Jardasa 35
HR-51000 Rijeka
CROATIA
Cyprus
Savvas IEZEKIEL
Cyprus Ornithological Society
Forestry Department of Cyprus
Parks and Environmental Sector
Louki Akrita 1414 str.
Nicosia
CYPRUS
France
François SARRAZIN
Maître de Conférences de l'Université Pierre et Marie Curie
UMR 5173 MNHN-CNRS
Conservation des Espèces, Restauration et Suivi des Populations
61 rue Buffon
1er étage
75005 PARIS
FRANCE

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Georgia
Alexander GAVASHELISHVILI
Georgian Center for the Conservation of Wildlife
PO Box 56
GE-380060
Tbilisi
GEORGIA;
Greece
Stratis BOURDAKIS
Hellenic Ornithological Society
Vas. Irakleiou 24
GR-10682
Athens
GREECE
Israel
Ohad HATZOFE
Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel
24 Tabenkin St.
Tel Aviv 69353
ISRAEL
Ofer BAHAT
Israel Nature & Parks Authority
24 Haoranim St.
Zichron-Yaakov 30900
ISRAEL
Italy
Fulvio GENERO
Regione Autonoma Friuli – Venezia Giulia - Riserva naturale del Lago di Cornino
33030 Forgaria nel Friuli (UD)
ITALY

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Fabio PERCO
Regione Autonoma Friuli – Venezia Giulia - Riserva naturale del Lago di Cornino
33030 Forgaria nel Friuli (UD)
ITALY
Jordan
Fares KHOURY
Hashemite University
Department of Biological Sciences
P.O. Box 150459
Zarqa 13115
JORDAN
Morocco
Said HAJIB
Forest Engineer
Projet “AGRN/GTZ”
B.P 763
Agdal- Rabat
MOROCCO
Republic of Macedonia
Emilian STOYNOV
Wild Flora and Fauna Fund- Macedonia/ FWFF- Macedonia
2700 Blagoevgrad
PO Box 78
BULGARIA
Portugal
Alvaro CAMIÑA CARDENAL
SEO/Birdlife, Iberian Group of Raptors
Apartado de Correos 339
28220 Majadahonda
Madrid
SPAIN

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Serbia
Bratislav GRUBAC
Institute for the Protection of Nature in Serbia
III Bulevar 106
11070 Novi Beograd
SERBIA and MONTENEGRO
Spain
Alvaro CAMIÑA CARDENAL
SEO/Birdlife, Iberian Group of Raptors
Apartado de Correos 339
28220 Majadahonda
Madrid
SPAIN
Turkey
Edwin W.A.M. VAASSEN
Gimat 2 Sitesi
679 Sokak, blok 10-10
06530 Çayyolu
Ankara
TURKEY

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Table of Content
1. Summary 9
2. Introduction and background information 10
2.1 Legal Status 10
2.2 Taxonomic Status 11
2.3 Distribution and Population Status 12
2.4 Life history 16
2.5 Threats 18
3. The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Europe and the Mediterranean 23
3.1 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Albania 23
3.2 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Armenia 24
3.3 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Austria 27
3.4 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Bulgaria 31
3.5 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Croatia 34
3.6 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Cyprus 39
3.7 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in France 42
3.8 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Georgia 46
3.9 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Greece 50
3.10 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Israel 58
3.11 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Italy 61
3.12 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Jordan 64
3.13 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in the Republic of Macedonia 67
3.14 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Morocco 71
3.15 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Portugal 73
3.16 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Serbia 76
3.17 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Spain 79
3.18 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Turkey 83
4. Aims and objectives 86
4.1 Aims 86
4.2 Objectives 86
4.2.1 Conservation and management 87
4.2.2 Monitoring 89
4.2.3. Research needs 90
4.3 Logistic aspects 91
5. References 95

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1. Summary
While the population of the Eurasian Griffon Vulture in the western European range
(Iberian Peninsula, France) has greatly increased during the last three decades,
populations in the eastern European and Mediterranean range must be considered
as endangered and were extinct from many parts of their former distribution.
Due to this highly worrying development, the Eastern European/Mediterranean
Griffon Vulture Working Group working group (EGVWG) was established in 2000.
Besides this, an evaluation of the current status and distribution, activities focussed
on the development of an Action Plan which is now available.
We are aware about the fact that all old vulture species are endangered in this
geographic range, and in this context we see the Eurasian Griffon Vultures as the
species which received the least attention up to now. We wanted to stress the fact
that even this species which is comparably widely distributed and more abundant
when compared with other vulture species must be considered as endangered. It is
obvious that all activities and actions which are suggested in this Action Plan are
highly beneficial for all other old world vulture species. However, we concentrate with
this Action Plan on the Eurasian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus).
The total population size equals around 20.000 breeding pairs with only 10% of the
population outside the Iberian peninsula (Del Moral & Marti, 2001). While Spain,
Portugal and France (the latter with a high percentage of successfully reintroduced
colonies) are mainly confronted with a management problem, a severe conservation
problem is evident for the rest of the range and requires urgent actions.
Main threats for the Eurasian Griffon Vulture population are poisoning, lack of food,
changes of land use practices with decreasing numbers of domestic and wild
ungulates, electrocution, disturbance, persecution (shooting and egg robbing).
This Action Plan summarizes the status and distribution of the Griffon vulture and
describes the required actions.

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2. Introduction and background information
2.1 Legal Status
The Eurasian Griffon Vulture is protected throughout the range of countries which are
covered in this Action Plan (AP). However, according to the country considered,
national laws vary greatly, and the species may be subject of laws for nature
protection and/or hunting. In any case it is strictly protected throughout the whole
hunting season. Besides protection on a national level, there are numerous
International conventions which apply to the Eurasian Griffon Vulture and which are
signed by most of the countries listed in this Action Plan. Under international
Conventions and Directives, the Eurasian Griffon is classified as follows:
EU Bird Directive: Annex I
The species mentioned in annex 1 shall be the subject of special conservation
measures concerning their habitat in order to ensure their survival and
reproduction in their area of distribution.
Bern Convention: Annex II
The following actions will in particular be prohibited for these species:
(a) all forms of deliberate capture and keeping and deliberate killing;
(b) the deliberate damage to or destruction of breeding or resting sites;
(c) the deliberate disturbance of wild fauna, particularly during the period of
breeding, rearing and hibernation, insofar as disturbance would be significant
in relation to the objectives of this Convention;
(d) the deliberate destruction or taking of eggs from the wild or keeping these
eggs even if empty;
(e) the possession of and internal trade of these animals, alive or dead, including
stuffed animals and any readily recognisable part or derivative thereof, where
this would contribute to the effectiveness of the provisions of this article.
CITES Annex II
(a) all species which, although not necessarily now threatened with extinction may
become so unless trade in specimens of such species is subject to strict
regulation in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival; and

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(b) other species which must be subject to regulation in order that trade in
specimens of certain species referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of this
paragraph may be brought under effective control.
BirdLife International
Secure and Non SPEC: Although the species continued to decline in Turkey and the
Caucasus 1990-2000, most other populations increased or
were stable, the species is now evaluated as Secure
(BirdLife International 2004).
The Geographical Scope of this Action Plan is primarily intended to cover the
western Palearctic species range, although the lack of available information and
practical feasibility in a number of countries may make its implementation in those
areas rather difficult. The recent distribution of breeding populations in the world
comprises the following countries: Armenia, Algeria, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, France, Georgia, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Republic of Macedonia,
Morocco, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Turkey and Albania.
Other countries where the species probably bred in the past: Germany (Glutz et al.
1971), Poland (Tomialoj´c 1976), Rumania (Bijleveld 1974, Puscariu & Filipascu
1977). Accidental observations have been recorded for Britain, Ireland, Belgium and
the Netherlands, Finland, Hungary and Tunisia.
2.2. Taxonomic Status
Gyps fulvus (Hablizl, 1783). Monotypic. Two subspecies are being distinguished:
1) Gyps f. fulvus (Hablizl, 1783) occurring in NW Africa, Iberian Peninsula and to
the E through the Balkans, Turkey, Middle East, Arabia and Iran to Pamir and
Altai.
2) Gyps fulvus fulvescens (Hume 1869) in Afghanistan, Pakistan and N India and
E to Assam.

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2.3. Distribution and Population Status
The Eurasian Griffon Vulture is distributed as a breeding bird over the western
Palearctic from India, Pamirs and Altai in the east, to Portugal and Spain in the west.
Areas in southern Europe surrounding the Mediterranean are the core-range with a
strong focus on the Iberian Peninsula. The total population comprises around 20.000
– 30.000 breeding pairs and a total population (including non-breeders) of unknown
magnitude.
Breeding populations are sedentary whereas younger birds are migrants or vagrants.
They may wander widely. Migration and wintering areas include countries in Africa
south to the 20º N in Senegambia, Mali, Chad and probably Niger. South to the
Middle East wintering grounds are in Somalia and Ethiopia. Other significant areas
concur with the breeding range as is the case on the Iberian Peninsula gathering up
to 1,000 individuals. In Asia, small numbers have been recorded wintering.
Once widespread across the continent, the species has undergone dramatic declines
leading to extinction in the Alps and the Carpathians. These declines were mainly
due to persecution by man and poisoning. The remnant populations are isolated and
in urgent need of conservation action assisted by international cooperation and
provision of expertise.
In 1986 the distribution of the Griffon Vulture was clearly distinct into two parts
(Gensbøl & Thiede 1986; Figure 1). In the western part of its range was found mainly
on the Iberian Peninsula, northern Morocco, whereas in the east the Griffon Vulture
occurred in Greece, Turkey, the Ural Mountains and certain regions of Israel and
Jordan. In between there are only a few small populations mainly on the Balkans.
To evaluate status of the population, trends and threats, a standard questionnaire
provided by BirdLife International was used. Beside parameters obviously influence
griffon habitat quality also parameters which are primarily linked to climate change
were asked for.

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Figure 1: Distribution of the Griffon Vulture compared between 1986 (Gensbolprovi and Thiede, 1986) and 2002.
1986
2002

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Country
1986#
1994* exp. Pop.
Trend 1994
2002 exp. Pop.
Trend 2002 Range
Trend
Albania ? 50-200 - < 40 birds -
Austria 1 0-1 = 2-4 = =
Bulgaria few pairs 2-10 + 30 + +
Cyprus 20 10-20 - 6 -- ?
France 80 219-261 ++ 549-599 ++ +
Greece 450 400-500 - 175-192 - -
Israel 150 ? 132-140 + +
Italy 20-30 10-30 -- 55-60 + +
Jordan ? ? 12-30 = ?
Morocco 10-100 ? 0-10 -- ?
Portugal few pairs 100-150 - 267-272 + +
former Soviet Union 7 150 251-354 = ?
Armenia ? ? 50-60 -- =
Azerbaijan 1 ? ? 50-80
Georgia 2 ? 70 53 - =
Kazakhstan 3 ? ? 10-15 colonnies
-
Russia 4 ? ? ~ 500 birds -
Ukraine 5 ? ? ~ 35 birds -
Uzbekistan 6 200-300 ? 400 – 600 birds
former Yugoslavia 200 ?
Croatia ? 50-100 85-94 - -
FYR Macedonia ? ? 48-50 =/+ =/+
Serbia ? ? 50 + = (?)
Spain 3240 8074 ++ 17332-18080 + +
Turkey 500-1000 100-1000 300-500 -- --
Total (excluding Spain) 1433-2032 1234-2584 - 1831-2163 + / - -
Total (including Spain) 4673-5272 9308-10654
+ 19048-20119
+ +
Table 1: Population status of the Griffon Vulture in Europe and the Mediterranean.
Data 1986 (Gensbøl & Thiede, 1986), data 1994 (Tucker & Heath, 1994), 2002 current investigation. Population trend:
(++) huge increase, (+) increase, (=) stable, (-) decrease, (--) huge decrease. 1 Abuladze (1997), 2 Gavashelishvili &
McGrady (2002), 3 Zhatkanbaev (2003); 3 Katzner & Sklyarenko (2002), 3 Moseikin (2003), 3 Tilba (2000), 3 Tilba &
Mnatsekanov (2003), 3 Galúshin (2003), 4 Appak (2000), 5 Mitropolski et al. (1987), 7 Katzner et al. (2004).

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In 2002 the distribution range is much more patchily but quite similar to the results
from 1986 according to the data collected for this Action Plan. On the Iberian
Peninsula the Griffon vulture is established quite well and doubled its population size
every 8 years (Table 1). In a lot of the countries where the species occurred 16 years
ago, the population decreased and the distribution has turned to be very scattered.
Especially in Greece and Turkey where the Griffon Vulture formerly showed a
compact distribution, only few populations in small patches can be found. This is also
true for Croatia where griffons remained only on some Adriatic islands. In contrast, in
between the eastern and the western population populations have been established
in France and Italy as a consequence of reintroduction programmes since the 1980s.
This new colonies are important as stepping stones.
If we exclude the Iberian peninsula, the populations seems stable in Europe during
the last 16 years with about 2000 pairs. Including Spain the population equals about
a magnitude of some 20.000 pairs. This means that only 10% of the population exist
on about 90 % of the species range.
Countra BirdLife (2004)
EGVWG (2004)
Trend
Albania 10-50 <40 birds (-)
Armenia 15-60 < 30 -
Austria 2-4 -- =
Azerbaijan (10-50) 50-80 =
Bulgaria 14-30 30 +
Croatia 90-100 85-94 =
Cyprus 8-10 6 =
France 589-639 549-599 +
Georgia 60-70 53 -
Greece 173-194 175-192 =
Italy 37-42 55-60 +
FYR Macedonia 30-50 48-50 =
Portugal 267-272 167-272 (+)
Russia (200-400) 500 birds (-)
Serbia 55-60 50 +
Spain 17.300-18.100 17.300-18.100 +
Turkey 300-600 300-500 -
Ukraine 8-10 35 birds -
Total 19.000-21.000 19.048-20.119
Table 2: Population status of the Griffon Vulture in Europe and the Mediterranean.
Comparison of data between this publication and BirdLife International
(2004). Abbreviations referring to table 1.

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According to the data of the two censuses results differ but cross numbers are similar
for both reports (Table 2). It is noteworthy the role of the Iberian Peninsula on the
conservation of the Eurasian griffon. With these data Spain holds the 86.19-91.05%
of all these population estimates (87.48- 92.45% of breeding pairs included in the
Iberian Peninsula). The EGVWG Status report also includes other countries such as
Morocco (where the species seems to be extinct as breeder) Jordan and Israel
together with other republics from the former Soviet Union (Kazakhastan,
Uzbekistan).
2.4. Life History
General Biology
The Eurasian Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus is a specialized scavenger, which inhabits
rugged and mountainous areas in southern Europe surrounding the Mediterranean.
Life History
The Griffon Vulture is generally a colonial breeder, comprising from one to more than
100 pairs (Del Moral & Martí 2001) Typically the species breeds on cliffs but
exceptionally also on trees (Spain and Portugal, Traverso 2001). Rarely the species
breeds alone. Breeding starts early in the year. Timing varies regionally but generally
occurs not later than the end of January due their long breeding cycle. In some areas
breeding may start as early as December with earliest copulation behaviour in
November in Spain (Camiña pers. obs.) but may also occur as late as April at the
northern slope of the Alps (Bögel & Mäck 1989). Breeding has not been recorded by
birds younger than 4 years old. Generally, breeding starts when reaching adult age
with 5-6 years. However, large proportions of birds with “subadult” plumage criteria
have been recorded breeding at earlier stages probably as a consequence of high
food availability (Blanco & Martinez 1996). They only lay one egg, with an incubation
period of 55 days on average. The fledging period is 110-132 days. Replacement
clutches may exists up to May. Very little is know regarding the post-fledging
dependence period. Most of the juvenile population disperse or partially migrate
(Bernis 1983, Griesinger 1996, Griesinger 1998) and only a few number may stay
with their parents year round probably related with good food supply. Juvenile ringed
vultures have been recorded as far as Gambia, Senegal, Mali, Chad and Niger.

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Breeding success varies among different areas, in accordance with food supply
(Fernández et al. 1998), intraspecific concurrence (density of breeding pairs), site
characteristics and climate, It ranges from 0,3 – 0,8 young/pair (Terrasse 1961,
Leconte 1977, Arroyo et al. 1990) The Eurasian Griffon Vulture is a long-lived, slow-
reproducing raptor, compensating for a low annual offspring production by high adult
survival. This makes the species highly sensitive to a decrease in adult survival,
whereas a decrease in juvenile survival or a temporary decrease in productivity will
have a much lower effect on population dynamics. However, a reduction in
productivity over a prolonged period will threaten the population as well.
Feeding
The Griffon Vulture almost exclusively feeds on carrion. Only very few records have
been made where Griffons approched injured and weak individuals of sheep or cattle
(Camiña et al. 1995, Camiña 2004). The diet is mainly comprised of livestock species
(sheep, goat, cattle and horses) (Fernández 1975, Camiña 1996). Wild ungulate
species (Rupicapra rupicapra, Cervus elaphus, Capreolus capreolus) is consumed in
certain areas (Pyrenees, Alps) where these species are abundant and carcasses are
accessible (open areas).
Habitat requirements
Breeding is mainly restricted to cliffs reaching from just above sea-level to heights of
up to 2,500m. On average cliffs are usually below 1,500m a.s.l. In Spain and
Portugal, nests have also been located on trees where Griffons occupy Cinereous
Vulture (Aegypius monachus) nests (Traverso 2001).
Movements
Adult individuals are largely sedentary. Partial migration occurs for juvenile and
immature birds which leave their breeding areas at the end of breeding season,
probably in order to locate better feeding resources and thereby avoiding competition
with adults (Camiña 1996). This may motivate young birds to fly as far as south of the
Sahara (Bernis 1983, Mundy et al. 1992, Griesinger 1996, Griesinger 1998).
Concentrations of migrating birds do occur during the migration periods at specific
points like Gibraltar and Suez (Bijlsma 1987). However, as the species can stay year

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round also under very harsh climatic conditions as long as the food availability is
guaranteed (Bögel pers. obs., Bahat et al. 2001).
2.5 Threats
• Poisoning – critical
• Decline of intensive livestock farming – high
• Food shortage – generally high (for Spain: medium)
• Electrocution and collision with powerlines and overhead cables – high
• Loss and degredation of habitat – locally high
• Disturbance – locally high
• Illegal Shooting – potentially high
(Definition of criteria see table 2)
Poisoning
Despite the well established legal protection, direct persecution takes place and it is
documented for Griffon and other vulture species. However, direct persecution is a
problem of subdominant order.
The main problem for Griffon Vultures is caused by poisoning and habitat loss.
Poisoning is generally addressed towards the recently increased populations of
mammalian predators such as wolf / dogs (Canis lupus / ssp.), bear (Ursus arctos),
lynx (Lynx lynx), foxes (Vulpes vulpes), jackals (Canis aureus) and mustelids but can
also be caused by agrochemicals (for example rodenticides) which are frequently
used in many countries. They can be purchased in many countries without any

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Threats AR A
BG CR CY F GE GR Crete IS I JO MA P SE SP T Total
Habitat loss
Overgrazing 0 2 0 2 0 1 5(6)
Agriculture intensification ? 0
1 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 2 7(11)
Land Abandonment 0 1 0 0 1 ? 1 0 3(8)
Afforestation 0
0 0 0 3 ? 0 1 4(8)
Forestation ? --(1)
Drainage 0 0 0 ? 0 0 ? 0(7)
Dam construction 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 4(8)
Control of wild ungulates 1
1(1)
Food base loss 2 2
3 3 1 2 3 2 1 2 1 1 22(12)
Quarry 2 0 2(2)
Persecution
Hunting 0 0 0 0 0 0(5)
Illegal hunting (firearms, traps) 0 0
0 0 1 2 1 2 1 2 0 0 1 10(13)
Taking of eggs/nestlings 0 ? 0 0 0 0 0 ? 0 0(9)
Poisoning 0 1
1 3 3 ? 3 3 1 3 0 3 1 0 2 3 27(16)
Pollution
Use of agricultural chemicals ? ? ? ? ? ? 3 2 3 1 2 11(11)
Climate change
Desertification ? 0 ? ? 0(4)
Increased rainfall 0
0 ? ? 0(4)
Other threats
Disturbance 3 ? ? 2 5(3)
Collision (wind farm, plane) ? 0 1 0(3)
Electrocution 1 0 ? ? ? ? 0 0 1(8)
Table 2: Threats of the Griffon Vulture in Europe and the importance of the different factors.
3 (Critical): a factor that could lead to the extinction of the species in 20 years or less
2 (High): a factor that could lead to a decline of more than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
1 (Medium): a factor that could lead to a decline of less than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
0 (Low): a factor that only affects the species at a local level
? (Unknown): a factor that is likely to affect the species but it is unknown to what extent
AR= Armenia, A = Austria, B = Bulgaria, CR = Croatia, CY = Cyprus, F = France, GE = Georgia, GR = Greece, IS = Israel. I = Italy, JO = Jordan, MA
= FYR Macedonia, P = Portugal, SE = Serbia, SP = Spain, T = Turkey

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restriction or regulation. In most cases, the target animals are not vultures, so
secondary poisoning is the dominant problem.
Frequent chemicals used are carbamates, cyanids and organophosphates; popular
products are lannate, strychnine, bromadiolon, brodifacoum, difenacoum and
flocoumafen. Lead poisoning caused by feeding on remains from shot animals was
also considered to be a problem of great concern. In this context it is important to
stress the fact that due to the species biology (see above) and etho-ecological facts
(highly efficient food searching strategies, feeding in groups, low capacity for natural
re-colonisation) Griffon vultures are extremely sensitive towards poisoning.
As with the poisoning problem vultures are secondary targets in the context of
trapping and shooting. The birds are killed by traps or baits which are not primarily to
them but mainly to large predators like wolf or bear and sometimes wild boar.
Habitat loss (breeding site and food availability)
Habitat loss is a problem which refers to both factors affecting the distribution of
raptors (Newton 1979) - food availability and breeding sites. The main food source of
Griffon Vultures in Europe and the Mediterranean comes from domestic livestock.
Thus, traditional rearing livestock practices must be maintained in order to ensure
food provision. In many parts of Europe, traditional forms of extensive farming such
as transhumance have been changing greatly along with socio-economic
developments, generally decreasing the food supply massively. However, in some
areas, a revitalisation of such practices currently takes place. Feeding of vultures
within countries of the European Union range is closely linked with subsidies from the
Common Agricultural Policy. It is important in this context that adequate food supply
is not only a question of sufficient numbers of grazing livestock but can also be a
problem of easy access to carcasses in some regions. In many parts of the area
covered by this AP, vulture restaurants or feeding stations were established in order
to fulfil two important management issues: i) provide vultures with enough food, and
ii) to guarantee a safe food supply with the aim to reduce the risk of exposure to
poisoned baits while foraging. However, due to EU-regulation which have been
established recently along with the BSE crisis (Camiña 2001, Camiña 2004), a
severe problem of legal operation of such feeding sites was created which urgently
requires a quick solution.

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In few occasions (for example for Turkey) natural succession and forest management
(forestation of formerly open areas) has been considered to have a negative effect on
foraging capabilities of vultures.
In this context it is important to note, that wild ungulates can play an important role
for the food supply of Griffon Vultures. However, this important food source has been
diminished to a huge extend, partly by over-harvesting (eastern and southern
Europe) and partly by doubtful management measures in order to reduce forest
damage (central Europe).
Poisoning
Food base loss
Use of agricultural chemicals
Illegal hunting (firearms, traps)
Agriculture intensification
Overgrazing
Disturbance
Afforestation
Dam construction
Land Abandonment
Quarry
Electrocution
Control of wild ungulates
Taking of eggs/nestlings
Drainage
Hunting
Desertification
Increased rainfall
Collision (wind farm, plane)
Forestation
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
value/count
Figure 2: Threats of the Griffon vulture. Bars mean ranking/importance of the threats,
black points (number of countries where the factor was identified) mean
distribution of the factor.

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Electrocution and collision with powerlines and overhead cables
Electrocution is another problem whose extent on vulture populations can currently
not be accurately assessed. Some work has been developed in Spain (Alonso &
Alonso 1999) with varying experiences from other countries (comp. Hartley et al.
1996, Houston 1996). These studies showed, that losses caused by electrocution are
high and solutions, like adequate pole design, have been developed to solve the
problem (Ferrer & Janss Coord. 1999). Other types of infrastructure may have
adverse effects on Griffon populations. They can result in a highly fragmented
landscape or in the access of humans close to breeding or important feeding sites
and thus create a problem of disturbance (see below). In Europe there has been an
important development of windfarms in some countries. At least in Spain, vultures
are one of the most affected raptor species (Camiña in press). In recent years large
numbers of griffons have been collated after collisions with turbine blades. A correct
windfarm design, the avoidance of any construction close to breeding or foraging
sites and rigorous studies on the space and habitat use of the windfarm area are
urgently needed. Furthermore, losses resulting from collisions with overhead cables
such as cable cars has been documented (Bögel, pers. communication).
Tourism and other disturbances
Concerning breeding sites, this is mainly a problem of disturbances by trend sporting
activities (climbing, paragliding, etc.) and/or recreation/curiosity. Especially on the
Adriatic islands but also elsewhere this is (or it has been) a problem resulting in
drowned juveniles and (at least in one case) in an extinction of a breeding colony. In
few cases, mining activities have also been supported as a potential threat (for
example in Bulgaria).
It is important to note that threats and their relative importance vary greatly with the
geographic range which is considered. As also reflected by population dynamics
during recent years, the situation is good in the western European-Mediterranean
region (Iberian peninsula and France) mainly consisting of a management problem
while in the eastern range we face severe problems with a massive risk of extinction.
Detailed information can be found in the country-specific listing of this AP. Figure 2
summarises threats and reflects the relative importance of various threats.

23
3. The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Europe and the
Mediterranean
3.1 The Situation of the Griffon vulture in Albania
The information available for Albania is rare (B. Grubac pers. communication). The
population decreased substantially during the last decades but Griffon Vulture flocks
are regularly observed in the bordering areas to Greece, Macedonia and
Serbia/Kosovo (up to 40 birds). If breeding pairs still exist is unclear. However, one
colony with few breeding pairs is hypothized by B. Grubac.
Illegal shooting, changes in land use practices, poor food supply, and habitat loss are
the main causes for this development. Poisoning seems to be a subdominant
problem at present.

24
3.2 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Armenia
Mamikon Ghasabian, Karen Aghababian
Armenian Society for the Protection of Birds (ASPB)
Institute of Zoology of Armenian NAS
Legal protection of the species:
The Griffon Vulture is protected in Armenia by the “Law on the Animal World” (2000).
The species is included in the “Red Data Book of Armenia”. In Khosrov State
Preserve, the species is protected by the legal protection status of the preserve.
Population size and trend:
Population size
(individuals) Year Pop. data quality1
Pop. trend
(1990-2001) Source Pop. trend
expected in the future
50-60
2002
2 at least
50% decline ASPB
Institute of
Zoology
further decline probable
Range trend
(1990-2001) Range data quality1
Source Range trend
expected in the future
Unchanged
2 ASPB
Institute of
Zoology
Extinction of some colonies
probable
1 Data Quality
For population size and range and for trend on population size and range size, use the following:
1 = Species poorly known, no quantitative data available
2 = Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available
3 = Reliable quantitative data (atlas survey or regular monitoring data) are available for the whole period and area
Distribution:
Armenia has an area of 29800 km². The Eurasian Griffon Vulture has been
extensively studied by B.O. Geilikman (1966, 1975) between 1953 – 1990. From
1993 onward studies continued within the framework of the project “Birds of Armenia”
(1993-1995) and as part of the thesis “Some peculiarities of vertical distribution and
ecology of the birds in Meghri region of Armenia” (1996-1998). In 2002, a pilot survey
was conducted. The collected data show that Griffon Vultures breed in the Northern,
Central, Southern and South-Eastern parts of Armenia. The species inhabits habitats
from the semi- desert up to mountain forest zone (from 700 to 2000m a.s.l.) and
feeds mostly on open areas like the semi-desert, the mountain steppe and the sub-
alpine zone. The main food item of the Eurasian Griffon Vulture in Armenia are

25
Armenia
Turkey
Azerbaijan

26
livestock carcasses; however, the native food items are wild ungulates. The species
breeds on huge rocks (width: 70-200m) with many caves and niches. In total, 6
colonies of Griffon Vultures are known: 5 inside Armenia and 1 in the border region
with Nakhichevan (Western Azerbaijan enclave). The number of birds in the
remaining known colonies are as follows:
• Khosrov Preserve (central Armenia): 2 colonies with 14-20 birds
• Alaverdi region (northern Armenia): approx. 15 birds
• Meghri region (south-eastern Armenia): 8-10 birds
The total number of birds in two other colonies accounts for 13-15 birds.
During last 10 years the Griffon Vulture population has declined by at least 50%. It is
very likely that this decline is linked to local economic changes after breakdown of
the former USSR which resulted in illegal killing of wild ungulates and a decline of
livestock numbers, both remarkably decreasing the food supply.
Threats
Threats Importance1 Trend
Habitat loss
Overgrazing
Agriculture intensification unknown increasing
Land Abandonment
Afforestation
Drainage
Dam construction
Other (please specify)
loss of food supply high unknown
Persecution
Hunting
Illegal hunting (firearms, traps) low unknown
Taking of eggs/nestlings
Poisoning low unknown
Pollution
Use of agricultural chemicals unknown increasing
Oil spills
Climate change
Desertification unknown increasing
Increased rainfall
Other climate changes
(please specify)
Other threats
1 Importance
Critical: a factor that could lead to the extinction of the species in 20 years or less
High: a factor that could lead to a decline of more than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Medium: a factor that could lead to a decline of less than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Low: a factor that only affects the species at a local level
Unknown: a factor that is likely to affect the species but it is unknown to what extent

27
3.3 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Austria
R. Bögel & L. Slotta-Bachmayr
Salzburg Zoo
Legal protection of the species:
Yes, according to state hunting law (involved federal states: Salzburg, Tyrol and
Carynthia)
Population size and trend:
Population size
(individuals) Year Pop. data quality1
Pop. trend
(1990-2001) Source Pop. trend
expected in the future
1-4
2002
2
stable
own data
stable
Range trend
(1990-2001) Range data quality1
Source Range trend
expected in the future
stable
2
own data
stable
1 Data Quality
For population size and range and for trend on population size and range size, use the following:
1 = Species poorly known, no quantitative data available
2 = Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available
3 = Reliable quantitative data (atlas survey or regular monitoring data) are available for the whole period and area
Distribution:
The breeding population is restricted to Salzburg county with a strong focus on the
northern slope of the Austrian Alps. This breeding population originates from a
release project at Salzburg Zoo during the 1960’s. First breeding occurred during the
beginning of the 1980’s. The population size of the colony fluctuates between 10 and
20 individuals. Although some constant food supply is provided at the zoo (430 m
a.s.l.), most activities (breeding, foraging, etc.) occurs in the high Alps (> 1500 m
a.s.l.; foraging area approx. 150 km²).
Additionally, a non-breeding population exists in the Central Austrian Alps (“Hohe
Tauern” region). This consists of up to 100 individuals with a southern origin (mainly
birds from the “Kvarner Islands” / Croatia but also from “Friaul” / Italy). Those non-
breeders are migrants and use this area from May to October (foraging area approx.
500 km²). Regular interactions between the breeding population at Salzburg Zoo and
the non-breeding population occur.

28
Swiss
Austria
Italy
Slovenia
Croatia
Germany
Hungary
Czech
Pepublic
Slovacia

29
Threats:
Threats Importance1 Trend
Habitat loss
Overgrazing
Agriculture intensification low constant
Land Abandonment
Afforestation low increasing
Drainage
Dam construction
Control of wild Ungulates medium increasing
Persecution
Hunting
Illegal hunting (firearms) low constant
Taking of eggs/nestlings
Poisoning medium increasing
Pollution
Use of agricultural chemicals low
Oil spills
Climate change
Desertification
Increased rainfall low ?
Other climate changes
(please specify)
Other threats
Regulation for carcass removal high decreasing
(through local management)
Exodic predation at the Zoo by felids low constant
Viable population size critical constant
1 Importance
Critical: a factor that could lead to the extinction of the species in 20 years or less
High: a factor that could lead to a decline of more than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Medium: a factor that could lead to a decline of less than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Low: a factor that only affects the species at a local level
Unknown: a factor that is likely to affect the species but it is unknown to what extent

30
3.4 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Bulgaria
Hristo Hristov
Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds / BirdLife Bulgaria
Legal protection of the species:
The Griffon Vulture is legally protected on the whole territory of Bulgaria (Biodiversity
Conservation Act - article 37). It is included in the Bulgarian Red Data Book in the
category “endangered”.
Population size and trend:
Pop. size
(breeding pairs) Year Pop. data quality1 Pop. trend
(1990-2001) Source Pop. trend
expected in the future
30
2001
3 114 % increase
(14 pairs in 1993;
30 pairs in 2001)
BSPB
at least +50%
Range trend
(1990-2001) Range data quality1 Source Range trend
expected in the future
Appr. +100%
3
BSPB
up to 50% expansion
1 Data Quality
For population size and range and for trend on population size and range size, use the following:
1 = Species poorly known, no quantitative data available
2 = Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available
3 = Reliable quantitative data (atlas survey or regular monitoring data) are available for the whole period and area
Detailed monitoring data look as follows:
Year Number of pairs
Number of fledglings
Maximum number of vultures
(feeding place observation)
1993 14 9 -
1994 16 14 53
1995 16 12 34
1996 18 10 56
1997 16 12 39
1998 14 10 43
1999 26 20 53
2000 29 27 77
2001 30 20 118
2002 31 20 128

31
Distribution:
In Bulgaria this species is represented by one colony of breeding birds, which is in
the valley of the river Arda in the Eastern Rhodopes (Southern Bulgaria, near the
Greek border). There are two distinct breeding groups within the colony: one is near
the town of Madzharovo – 19 breeding pairs; the other one breeds in the area of the
Studen Kladenets dam ca. 30 km away – 11 breeding pairs (2001). The feeding area
of the colony is approximately 250 km².
Small groups of Griffon Vultures are sporadically observed in the mountains of the
Eastern Fore-Balkan, Eastern and Western Balkans, Gornotrakiiska Lowland,
Western Rhodopes and Western outlying districts. Individual birds were observed in
the Western Balkan, Strandja Mountains and the Kresna gorge.
The Eastern Rhodopes landscape is characterized by exceptionally great
compositional and structural diversity. The compositional diversity is defined by the
big number of different habitats (45 types), and the structural by mosaic patterns due
to the diverse relief and different interferences. The Eastern Rhodopes are the only
relatively compact mountain area in Bulgaria with such considerable differences in
altitude – from 45 m to 1483 m a.s.l. Besides, this part of the Rhodopes is located
close to the Aegean Sea, substantial territories being directly exposed to the impact
of this part of the Mediterranean.
The principal livelihood of the people in Eastern Rhodopes is extensive
stockbreeding and tobacco growing. Additionally, there was a well-developed mining
in the near past, but presently the mines are no longer in use.

32
Bulgaria
Turkey
Greece
Romania
Serbia
FYR
Macedonia

33
Threats:
Threats Importance1 Trend
Habitat loss
Overgrazing unknown
Agriculture intensification unknown
Land Abandonment unknown
Afforestation unknown
Drainage unknown
Dam construction low decreasing
Other (please specify)
Breeding Habitat changes or Loss low increasing
Geological Research and Open pit mining low (potentially Critical) increasing
Building recreation centres high increasing
Road building unknown (potentially High) increasing
Persecution
Hunting low decreasing
Illegal hunting low decreasing
Taking of eggs/nestlings unknown (potentially High)
Poisoning medium decreasing
Pollution
Use of agricultural chemicals unknown increasing
Oil spills unknown
Climate change
Desertification unknown
Increased rainfall unknown
Other threats
Changes in Veterinary Practices high constant
Food competition low increasing
Viable population size medium decreasing
Forest fires unknown (potential High)
Electrocution unknown (potential Medium)
Disturbance critical increasing
Reduction in livestock numbers critical constant
Reduction in game ungulate numbers critical decreasing
1 Importance
Critical: a factor that could lead to the extinction of the species in 20 years or less
High: a factor that could lead to a decline of more than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Medium: a factor that could lead to a decline of less than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Low: a factor that only affects the species at a local level
Unknown: a factor that is likely to affect the species but it is unknown to what extent
2 likely if integration into the EU occurs

34
3.5 The Situation of the Griffon vulture in Croatia
Goran Susic
Ornithological Station Cres, Institute of Ornithology / Croatian Academy of Sciences
and Arts
Legal protection of the species:
The species is protected according to the Nature Protection Act (new version of
1994). Almost all Croatian breeding birds, excepting hunting species, cormorant on
fishponds and starling on agricultural land (i.e. 283 bird species) are protected under
the Nature Protection Act.
Population size and trend:
Pop. size
(breeding pairs) Year Pop. data quality1 Pop. trend
(1990-2001) Source Pop. trend
expected in the future
85-94 2002 3 25% decline own data declining
Range trend
(1990-2001) Range data quality1 Source Range trend
expected in the future
big decline 3 own data declining
1 Data Quality
For population size and range and for trend on population size and range size, use the following:
1 = Species poorly known, no quantitative data available
2 = Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available
3 = Reliable quantitative data (atlas survey or regular monitoring data) are available for the whole period and area
Distribution:
At the end of 19th century Griffons lived all over the country, along the Dalmatian
coast as well as on 11 Adriatic islands, even in lowland Slavonia near Sava and
Danube River. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Croatian population of
Eurasian Griffons declined rapidly in numbers and in range. Today the Eurasian
Griffons breed only on the Kvarner islands: Cres, Krk, Plavnik, Prvic, and,
occasionally, on the island of Pag. Their survival is linked to the traditional farming
practices of leaving sheep carcasses in the field to be consumed by Griffons.
Eurasian Griffon is a kind of peculiarity for the coastal area of Croatia as it breeds
exclusively on the cliffs above the sea, some nests being located only 8m above sea
level. The recent breeding colonies are situated on the cliffs of the Northern Adriatic
islands in the Kvarner area (Cres, Krk, Prvic and Plavnik) with a total breeding
population of about 90 pairs (Suši 2002). Due to the active protection, the population
on the Cres island has grown from 25 to 70 pairs during

35
Serbia
Slovenia
Croatia
Bosnia
Herzegovina
Montenegro
Hunga
ry

36
the last 15 years, while it had decreased drastically or even disappeared on other
breeding sites (for example at Paklenica National Park). Illegal poisoning and
disappearance of traditional extensive sheep breeding in the coastal zone of Croatia
are the biggest threats to the population. Number of pairs constantly decreases on
the island of Prvic (from 25 pairs to 15 pairs during the last 5 years) and on the island
of Krk (from 12 to only 3 pairs, during the last three years).
At the end of September most of the juvenile birds leave the colony, so there are
almost no juvenile, immature and sub-adult birds over-wintering on the above
mentioned islands. When they reach sexual maturity (5 years old) they come back to
the breeding colonies. For their migration routes, they use three main directions: NW
to the Austrian and Italian Alps (those may head later on to France and Spain); SW
to the southern Italy, and SE to the Southern Balkanian peninsula, Bulgaria, Greece,
Turkey, Israel, reaching southern latitudes as far as Chad (Suši 2000, 2002a).
Threats:
The major causes of Griffon's decline in Croatia are as follows:
I) High vulture mortality which is caused by:
• decrease of sheep number, turn to intensive herding (winter feeding, lambing in
pens, keeping in stalls to minimize risk predation, etc.)
• large-scale indirect poisoning
• improvement of veterinary techniques which reduce sheep mortalities
• human persecution – illegal shooting to eliminate Griffons from hunting areas
(which could become an ornithological reserve).
• electrocution (every year at least two reported cases only on the island of Cres)
• human disturbance (tourism or recreational activities close to nest sites)
• replacement of native sheep by game animals (e.g. fallow deer and wild boars
cause damage on the pastures, selling of sheep in order to avoid looses by bears)
• hunting regulation which result in a reduced number of game animals available to
vultures because they are shot earlier before dying from natural causes
• habitat destruction by urbanization (building of roads and infrastructure)
• lack of implementation of existing laws (active protection in the field)

37
II) Low reproductive capacity
Additional to those threats listed above, the reproductive capacity of Eurasian
Griffons is very low and makes the species very vulnerable to losses (for example the
productivity on the island of Cres is 55-60 %, so – on average - a pair raises one
chick only every second year). Therefore, a long recovery period is necessary for the
population after being diminishing for example poisoning events.
Threats Importance1 Trend
Habitat loss
Overgrazing
Agriculture intensification
Land Abandonment
Afforestation
Drainage
Dam construction
Food availability critical increasing
Persecution
Hunting
Illegal hunting low constant
Taking of eggs/nestlings
Poisoning (baits) critical increasing
Pollution
Use of agricultural chemicals
Oil spills
Climate change
Desertification
Increased rainfall
Other threats
Electrocution medium increasing
Disturbance high increasing
1 Importance
Critical: a factor that could lead to the extinction of the species in 20 years or less
High: a factor that could lead to a decline of more than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Medium: a factor that could lead to a decline of less than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Low: a factor that only affects the species at a local level
Unknown: a factor that is likely to affect the species but it is unknown to what extent
Management Activities:
I. Past and current activities
The following conservation measures are taken by the “Eco-center Caput Insulae-
Beli (ECCIB)” as local NGO (almost without any help from the Croatian Government
with the following results:
- Establishment of a Griffon Recovery center with adequate aviary and quarantine
cages (more than 50 Griffons were brought there for rehabilitation, many of them
could be released later on to the wild)

38
- Operation of feeding stations (very intensively after 1998 and on a regular basis
since 2001 with a maximum food supply of approx. 50 tons / year which directly
increased hatching success)
- Building of a hide for observations and education at the vulture restaurant
- Operate a scientific monitoring and research program (cooperation with the Cres
Ornithological Station of the Institute for Ornithology since 1990; 380 Eurasian
Griffons have been marked with rings and wing tags since then)
- Implementation of measures for undisturbed breeding sites
- Educational program (including an exhibition about Griffons, brochures, postcards,
stickers, etc.)
- Eco-tourism program in order to provide information about Eurasian Griffons,
biodiversity, and to enhance involvement in protection of natural and cultural-
historical heritage of the island of Cres
- Recruitment of volunteers which are actively involved in the protection, monitoring
and management of Eurasian Griffons and the eco-tourism program
- Promoting a holistic approach to nature protection, local products and the
preservation of the traditional methods of sheep herding to locals in order to save
the food supply
II. Actions urgently needed:
Activities required in order to preserve the last Croatian population of Eurasian
Griffons (Sušic 2002b) should include:
1. Launch an anti-poisoning campaign with efficient measures
2. Maintain the Recovery center
3. Continuation of the Griffon monitoring program (marking, control of nest sites)
4. Telemetric monitoring of rehabilitated Griffons in order to minimize losses and
possibly identify sources of risk
5. Ensure an adequate supply of safe food through feeding sites and establish a
network of vulture restaurants
6. Minimize disturbances at the colonies by establishing “swimming fences”
7. Further sensitivity of the public (establishment of Griffon vulture-information
centers, ecotourism activities, promotion of local products and practices like
extensive sheep herding)
8. Maintenance and regular cleaning of ponds as water source for sheep and
Griffons
9. Modification of electricity poles in order to avoid electrocution

39
3.6 The Situation of the Griffon vulture in Cyprus
Savvas Iezekiel
Forestry Department & Cyprus Ornithological Society
Legal protection of the species:
The Griffon Vulture is protected by the Game Law 34/1974 and according to the
International Conventions which are signed by the Cyprus government.
Population size and trend:
Pop. size
(breeding pairs) Year Pop. data quality1 Pop. trend
(1990-2001)
Source Pop. trend
expected in the future
6
2002
3
declining
own data
stable
Range trend
(1990-2001) Range data quality1 Source Range trend
expected in the future
Stable
2
own data
declining
1 Data Quality
For population size and range and for trend on population size and range size, use the following:
1 = Species poorly known, no quantitative data available
2 = Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available
3 = Reliable quantitative data (atlas survey or regular monitoring data) are available for the whole period and area
Distribution:
Some decades ago there is clear evidence that there were hundreds or thousands of
vultures nesting all over the island. Nowadays, the Griffon Vulture suffers a serious
extinction threat as a result of various factors, especially the use of poison. Today its
population size is only 6 breeding pairs at one nest site, whereas in 1980 there were
more than 20 known nesting sites.

40
Cyprus

41
Threats:
Threats Importance1 Trend
Habitat loss
Overgrazing
Agriculture intensification medium increasing
Land Abandonment
Afforestation
Drainage
Dam construction medium constant
Loss of food supply medium increasing
Persecution
Hunting
Illegal hunting medium constant
Taking of eggs/nestlings
Poisoning critical increasing
Pollution
Use of agricultural chemicals
Oil spills
Climate change
Desertification
Increased rainfall
Other climate changes (please specify)
Other threats
Road construction high increasing
1 Importance
Critical: a factor that could lead to the extinction of the species in 20 years or less
High: a factor that could lead to a decline of more than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Medium: a factor that could lead to a decline of less than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Low: a factor that only affects the species at a local level
Unknown: a factor that is likely to affect the species but it is unknown to what extent

42
3.7 The Situation of the Griffon vulture in France
François Sarrazin
Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris
Legal protection of the species:
Protected by French Law on some particular raptor species (dated 1964)
Protected by French Law on Nature Protection (dated 1976)
Population size and trend:
Pop. size
(breeding pairs) Year Pop. data quality1
Pop. trend
(1990-2001)
Source Pop. trend
expected in
the future
Pyrénées
Aspe, Ossau ,
Arrens & Ferrière:
256
Pays Basque:
160-210
Reintroductions
Gr. Causses: 100
Baronnies: 25
Verdon: 5
Vercors: 3
2001
2000
2002
2002
2002
2002
3
2
3
3
3
3
190%
increase
≈ 30%
increase
200%
increase
recolonised2
recolonised2
recolonised2
PNP-RNO
Saîak
PNC-LPO
Vautours en
Baronnies
LPO PACA
Parc naturel
régional du Vercors
increase
increase
increase
increase
increase
increase
Range trend
(1990-2001) Range data quality1 Source Range trend
expected in the future
increase
(through new
settlements
in the Alps)
3
various
local increase in
colony range
1 Data Quality
For population size and range and for trend on population size and range size, use the following:
1 = Species poorly known, no quantitative data available
2 = Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available
3 = Reliable quantitative data (atlas survey or regular monitoring data) are available for the whole period and area
2 no breeding pairs in 1990

43
France
Italy
Swiss
Germany
Belgium

44
Distribution:
The distribution of the species is focused in the western part of the French Pyrenees,
the Grands Causses area (South Massif Central), in the Vercors, Baronnies and
Verdon (Southern Alps). The colonies in the Pyrenees have been naturally restored
through conservation and management measures like the establishment of feeding
stations (currently, some feeding stations are not used anymore). The four other
populations were reintroduced and also benefit from the use of feeding stations and
the high standard of bird protection. While the French Pyrenees alpine habitats
dominate, the Grands Causses area is constituted of limestone plateaus split by
several deep gorges, particularly the Jonte and Tarn canyons. The Verdon canyon
with extreme relief energy also include plateaus, and the Baronies and Verdon areas
mainly include hills of moderate altitudes. All places include huge cliffs providing a
high availability of potential nest sites.
In French Pyrenees Griffon Vultures feed on wild or livestock animals and they find
carcasses directly in the field. In the reintroduced populations, they feed mainly on
feeding places (mostly sheep). It is important to note that in the Grands Causses
area, farmers may be allowed to manage their own feeding places due to a new
veterinary legislation set up in 1998. Recently, an updated information of French
vulture populations has been published in Terrasse et al. (2004).

45
Threats:
Threats Importance1 Trend
Habitat loss
Overgrazing
Agriculture intensification
Land Abandonment
Afforestation
Drainage
Dam construction
Equipment of cliffs for climbing low increasing
Persecution
Hunting
Illegal hunting
Taking of eggs/nestlings
Poisoning unknown unknown
Pollution
Use of agricultural chemicals unknown unknown
Oil spills
Climate change
Desertification
Increased rainfall
Other climate changes (please specify)
Other threats
Power lines low constant
1 Importance
Critical: a factor that could lead to the extinction of the species in 20 years or less
High: a factor that could lead to a decline of more than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Medium: a factor that could lead to a decline of less than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Low: a factor that only affects the species at a local level
Unknown: a factor that is likely to affect the species but it is unknown to what extent

46
3.8 The Situation of the Griffon vulture in Georgia
Lexo Gavashelishvili
Georgian Center for the Conservation of Wildlife (GCCW)
Legal protection of the species:
Not specifically protected by law but listed as a species in the Red Data book of
Georgia.
Population size and trend:
Pop. size
(breeding pairs) Year Pop. data quality1 Pop. trend
(1990-2001) Source Pop trend
expected in the future
53
2002
3
24 % decline
GCCW
?
Range trend
(1990-2001) Range data quality1 Source Range trend
expected in the future
Unchanged
3
GCCW
?
1 Data Quality
For population size and range and for trend on population size and range size, use the following:
1 = Species poorly known, no quantitative data available
2 = Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available
3 = Reliable quantitative data (atlas survey or regular monitoring data) are available for the whole period and area
Distribution:
Georgia has an area of 70 000 km² with a habitat composition of 40% woodland,
30% developed areas and 30% undeveloped areas. Survey data collected over the
past 10 years in Georgia and adjoining areas in neighbouring countries showed that
Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) occur only in areas that are undeveloped by humans,
but which hold supplies of livestock. The species’ year-round activity range can be
defined as an unfragmented open landscape between 1300m and 2500 m a.s.l. with
an annual rainfall of <800 mm and, alternatively, below 1000 m a.s.l. with an annual
rainfall of <400 mm. The surveys also showed that locations of nest sites and the
foraging range of breeding Griffon Vultures were significantly correlated with the
year-round ranges of livestock. Griffon Vultures are common in areas which are used
by livestock; however they are very rarely observed in the same areas during
wintertime when those habitats are abandoned by livestock. All this suggests that
Griffon Vultures in Georgia feed mainly on dead livestock. Moreover, differences in

47
the breeding success of various colonies underline the importance of livestock: In
lowland breeding grounds (at 200-800 m a.s.l.) where large numbers of wintering
livestock are present during the early nesting season (a period from hatching to
fledging) but not during the later nesting season from May through September (the
livestock graze on distant pastures then), only <50% of the Griffon Vultures are
successful in raising fledglings. In contrast, in the highland breeding grounds (at
1300-5000 m a.s.l.) where Griffon Vultures start their breeding season with only small
numbers of livestock present, the number of pairs that hatch chicks is much lower
than in the lowland breeding sites but >80% of the hatchlings fledge because food
supply greatly increases with the arrival of summering livestock in May.
In the whole Caucasus, including Georgia, the size and location of livestock pasture
grounds changes seasonally due to the movements of livestock. These movements
can be among settled areas (villages and towns) or they may vary because
herdsmen seek for snow-free pastures and good grazing grounds resulting in
wintering grounds in the dry lowlands and summering grounds in highlands.
Numbers of breeding pairs of Griffon Vultures have declined over the past 10 years
by 12%. It is unlikely that this decrease is linked to the mysterious disease and crash
of Griffon Vulture populations as observed in Asia (the typical symptoms as reported
from there like “head-drooping” behaviour have never been observed in Georgia);
Rather, the decline in Griffon numbers is caused by a dramatic decline in sheep
numbers as their main food supply (see Fig. 1) which can be observed since the
breakdown of the ex-USSR. In Soviet times sheep farming was well subsidized. In
contrast to sheep, other domestic animals have shown increase.
Fig. 1: Number of Griffon Vultures and
sheep during the last decade in Georgia
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Griffons
Sheep
1990
2002
2,000,000
627,557
70%
24%
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Griffons
Sheep
1990
2002
2,000,000
627,557
70%

48
Georgia
Beylarus
Turkey
Armenia Azerbaijan

49
Threats:
Threats Importance1 Trend
Habitat loss
Overgrazing
Agriculture intensification
Land Abandonment
Afforestation
Drainage
Dam construction
Other (please specify)
Dramatic decline in sheep high constant
Persecution
Hunting
Illegal hunting
Taking of eggs/nestlings low constant
Poisoning
Pollution
Use of agricultural chemicals unknown increasing
Oil spills
Climate change
Desertification
Increased rainfall
Other threats
1 Importance
Critical: a factor that could lead to the extinction of the species in 20 years or less
High: a factor that could lead to a decline of more than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Medium: a factor that could lead to a decline of less than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Low: a factor that only affects the species at a local level
Unknown: a factor that is likely to affect the species but it is unknown to what extent

50
3.9 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Greece
Stratis Bourdakis, Haralambos Alivizatos, Panos Asmanis, Ben Hallmann, Maria
Panayotopoulou, Costas Papakonstantinou, Nikos Probonas, Yannis Rousopoulos,
Dora Skartsi, Kalliopi Stara, Rigas Tsiakiris, Stavros Xirouchakis
Hellenic Ornithological Society
Legal protection of the species:
Griffon Vultures are legally protected under Ministerial Decision 414985/1985 and
listed as Vulnerable in the Greek Red Data Book (Handrinos 1992). 100% of the
colonies of mainland Greece and Cyclades are protected as Special Protected Areas
(SPAs), while more than 80% of the colonies of Crete are protected as SPAs. The
Greek list of Important Bird Areas (IBAs) covers 100% of the population of the
species in mainland Greece and Cyclades, and 90% of Crete. It should be noted that
the enforcement of the above legislation is extremely inadequate and in general very
few measures have been taken for the species up to now. The last couple of years
new SPAs and Wildlife Refuges are being designated, taking into consideration the
conservation needs of the Griffon Vulture.
Population size and trend:
Pop. size
(breeding pairs) Year Pop. data quality1 Pop. trend
(1990-2001) Source Pop. trend
expected in the future
mainland
21-34 2001 2 - 50% unpubl. data decline
Crete &
Cyclades
154-158 2002 3 stable unpubl. data stable/local decline
Greece total
175-192 2001/2 2-3 - 15% unpubl. data decline
Range trend
(1990-2001) Range data quality1 Source Range trend
expected in the future
- 60% mainland, 2-3 unpubl. data decline (critical in some regions)
stable Crete, Cyclades 3 unpubl. data stable/local decline
1 Data Quality
For population size and range and for trend on population size and range size, use the following:
1 = Species poorly known, no quantitative data available
2 = Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available
3 = Reliable quantitative data (atlas survey or regular monitoring data) are available for the whole period and area

51
Distribution:
Griffon Vultures are found in open, hilly and mountainous areas consisting of low hill
habitats with garrigue and open maquis to high alpine areas. They are optimal
foraging areas as long as a sufficient level of grazing by domestic ungulates is
guarantied. The species requires huge cliffs, with plenty of recesses and free from
human disturbance. It may even nest in sea cliffs and on small offshore islands.
Presently, there are 9 colonies situated at two relatively isolated areas of mainland
Greece. One in NE Greece (Thrace) closely related to the SE Bulgarian population,
and another one in W Greece (western Ipiros and Aitoloakarnania prefecture), and
an isolated colony in central Greece (Larisa prefecture). In contrast to the mainland,
the Griffon Vulture populations on the Greek islands are stable, with 34 colonies on
Crete and 2 on the central Cyclades.
At least 60% of the species range in mainland Greece has been abandoned since
1990. The species does not breed any more at the Peloponnese, Sterea Ellas
(except Aitoloakarnania prefecture), Thessaly (except Larisa prefecture), Macedonia
and Ionian islands. During this period 13-15 colonies were abandoned in mainland
Greece and Ionian islands. Presently the range of the GV is constantly shrinking in
mainland Greece, and many colonies have been deserted at the edge of the species
distribution. Unless immediate action is taken, this trend will continue especially in
central and western Greece, dramatically minimising the species' population and
range in the near future.
It seems that Griffon vultures have survived in parts of Greece where:
• less poisoned baits are dispersed, because of the absence of large predators
(wolves, jackals, foxes). This is obvious at Cyclades and Crete where foxes,
jackals and wolves are absent. Also at western Greece, GV colonies exist in
places where the wolves are mostly absent and there is obviously no intensive
use of poisoned baits for the control of foxes. Unfortunately, the recent range
expansion of wolves in several parts of mainland Greece has resulted in an
extensive use of poisoned baits with - most probably - very negative effects for
the Griffon Vulture population.
• food availability and accessibility is sufficient due to the maintenance of traditional
stock rearing practices and large numbers of domestic animals. These places

52
include the last resorts of Griffon vultures of Greece at large islands (Crete and
Naxos), Ipiros, Aitoloakarkania, and parts of Thrace.
• infrastructure is less developed (road network, etc) and human pressure is low.
This is presently valid for the mountainous area of Thrace and parts of Ipiros.
• vulture restaurant(s) are operating on a regular basis, and supported by
simultaneous and effective protective and awareness measures, applied over a
long term. This seems to be an important reason for the survival of the GV
population at the Evros prefecture and, consequently, the Thrace region. The
operation of another vulture restaurant (but not on a regular basis) at Larissa
prefecture, has been helpful for the maintenance of an isolated GV colony in
Thessaly region. However, this seems insufficient for a long-term survival of this
colony, unless further action is taken.
The present situation of the mainland population must be considered as much more
critical than some years ago and demands immediate and urgent action. The
implementation of high priority measures is handicapped by a fundamental
unwillingness and incapability of the federal authorities to protect Greece’s natural
heritage and to enforce relevant legislation. These obstacles can only be overcome
by an intensive, constant and coordinated conservation efforts of NGOs, awareness
of the local communities and relevant authorities, and an immediate funding of the
most important measures.

53
Turkey
Greece
Bulgaria
Albania
FYR
Macedonia

54
Threats:
Threats Importance1 Trend Importance1 Trend
Mainland Greece Crete / Cyclades
Habitat loss
Overgrazing low decreasing high
(med. on Naxos) increasing
Agriculture intensification low constant medium constant
Land Abandonment medium const.-incr. low increasing
Afforestation low constant low increasing
Drainage low constant low constant
Dam construction low increasing low increasing
Quarries high increasing low constant
Collisions unknown (low?)2 increasing low constant
Electrocutions unknown const.-incr. unknown
Food availability / accessibility
Decrease of natural prey
(wild ungulates) medium-high3 constant low constant
Decrease of domestic prey
(free ranging ungulates) high-critical const.-incr. low constant
Decrease of domestic prey
(extensive livestock farming) high increasing low constant
Decrease of food availability
due to better sanitary practices high increasing critical
(high on Naxos) increasing
Decrease of food availability
due to closing of refuse tips medium increasing critical increasing
Decrease of food availability
due to restricted access (infra-
structure and disturbance) high increasing high increasing
Disturbance at breeding sites
Road construction high increasing high increasing
Quarry operation high increasing high constant
Hunting medium-high constant medium-high constant
Climbing medium increasing medium increasing
Outdoor activities (paragliding) medium increasing medium increasing
Ecotourist development
through uncontrolled
promotion of the GV colonies low increasing medium increasing
Persecution
Illegal hunting (firearms) medium-high constant medium
(high on Naxos) constant
Taking of eggs/nestlings unknown low constant
Indirect poisoning critical4 increasing critical4 increasing
Lead shot poisoning unknown5 constant unknown ?
Pollution
Use of agricultural chemicals unknown (high?) incr.-const. unknown ?
Oil spills
Climate change
Desertification
Increased rainfall
Other threats
Critical low numbers critical
high (Thrace) increasing low constant
Lack of awareness high constant
(locally decr.)
medium decreasing
(increasing in
Naxos)
Drowning unknown medium
high for juv. in Crete
Avian infectious diseases unknown unknown
1 Importance

55
Critical: a factor that could lead to the extinction of the species in 20 years or less
High: a factor that could lead to a decline of more than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Medium: a factor that could lead to a decline of less than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Low: a factor that only affects the species at a local level
Unknown: a factor that is likely to affect the species but it is unknown to what extent
2 possibly high after the construction of the planned windfarms
3 Wild ungulates have played a subdominant role for the GV diet for a long period. Nevertheless they are a factor of constant
importance, especially when domestic ungulate carcasses become less available to GV.
4 Target species are mainly wolfs (that have extensively recolonized areas during the last decade), foxes and jackal (extinct in
many places). Secondary targets are other species as stray dogs, martens, ravens, Golden eagles, Bonelli's eagles, etc.
5 possibly of great importance(by direct shooting or bullets swallowed with the food items)
Important note: a solid evaluation of certain threats was not possible in many cases due to a lack of detailed and systematic
monitoring data of most colonies in mainland Greece.
Objectives - Measures that are needed to maintain and enhance Griffon vultures in
Greece
Mainland Crete
1. Policy and legislation
1.1. Implement Common Agriculture Policy and EU Regulations 1257 & 1259 to
maintain traditional farming practices in mountain areas. Provide incentives to
the farmers, and include the conservation of Griffon Vultures as an indicator of
their assessment.
essential
– High Medium
1.2. Make provision for maintenance of the traditional system of disposal of animal
carcasses, ensuring adequate sanitary control. essential essential
1.3. Promote the elaboration of national inventory of threatened species and
incorporate recovery plans into domestic legislation. essential Medium
1.4. Ensure detailed Environmental Impact Assessment for all activities likely to
affect species at critical sites (colonies, roosts, main feeding areas, etc). High High
1.5. Set down specifications for the establishment and operation of feeding stations
in Greece. essential essential
1.6. Official enactment of the supplementary feeding of carrion eating birds in
Greece. essential
– High essential
1.7. Take into consideration the species needs in national/peripheral
strategies/planning. Medium Medium
2. Species and habitat conservation
2.1. Protect all colonies (active or recently abandoned) against habitat alteration
and human disturbance .
2.1.1 Designate as Special Protection Areas all Griffon vulture colonies in Crete.
Ensure the management of SPAs adopting special conservation measures
according to Council Directive 79/409/EEC.
essential Essential
2.1.2. Designate all Griffon vulture colonies as Wildlife Refuges and/or other type of
strictly protected areas, according to Law 1650/86. essential essential
2.2. Promote bilateral conservation work at cross-border populations, in the borders
with Albania, FYR Macedonia, Bulgaria. High -
2.3. Define non-intrusion zones around the colonies, on a site to site basis to be
implemented in the period from 1st of December till the 1st of July. High Medium
2.3.1. Disturbance during breeding season must be prohibited within 1 km around
the colonies. Medium Medium
2.3.2. Hunting should be prohibited within 1 km around the colonies. essential essential
2.3.3. Climbing and other outdoor sports should be prohibited at the colonies while
such activities should be prevented within 200-500 meters (on a site to site
basis) to colonies, during the breeding period.
High High
2.4. Prevent the construction of damaging developments, such as roads, quarries,
etc, within Griffon vulture colonies. High High
2.5. Prevent the construction of potential dangerous (for collisions, electrocutions)
developments (transmission lines, antennas, poles, wind farms, etc) within 5-
10 km of the colonies, on a site to site basis. Detailed Environmental Impact
Assessment should be undertaken for such developments, if they are to be
essential
– High High

56
established within a 20 km radius from the colonies or other important
roosting, foraging or migrating sites.
2.6. Fully enforce national legislation for the protection of the species. essential
– High High
2.6.1. Enforce prohibitions on the use of poisoned baits and shooting Griffon vulture
more effectively. essential essential
2.7. Prepare an Action Plan for the confrontation of the illegal poisoned baits in
Greece. Establish a working group and promote practical anti-poisoning
actions.
essential essential
2.8. Improve food availability
2.8.1 Promote the restoration of wild ungulate populations and control poaching of
them. Medium Medium
2.8.2. Ensure that livestock which dies in the field is left out for the vultures and re-
establish/maintain the old tradition of dumping animal carcasses at specific
places, with full agreement and co-operation of local authorities and farmers.
essential
- High essential
2.8.3 Undertake (or continue) specific supplementary feeding in all Greek
populations, in co-operation with authorised raptor specialists, under the
surveillance of the Ministries of Agriculture and PEHODE and HOS.
essential High
3. Monitoring and research
3.1. Promote international co-operation and exchange of experience among experts
working on the species. High
- Medium Medium
3.2. Establish national population database High High
3.3. Undertake annual national census and monitoring of all colonies.
3.3.1. Carry out baseline surveys of population status in all colonies. essential Medium
3.3.2. Carry out surveys on migrating juveniles/immatures in autumn - spring. Medium Medium
3.3.3. Carry out regular monitoring of the breeding population, including breeding
success on selected colonies across the species range. essential essential
3.3.4. Monitor attendance at feeding stations and traditionally used refuse-tips. High Medium
3.3.5. Undertake monitoring for the detection of clinical signs ("neck-drooping"
behavior). High High
3.4. Undertake research on requirements and factors influencing population trend
sufficient to prepare national recovery plan
3.4.1 Carry out studies on population dynamics and age structure and complete
population viability analysis on mainland where the species is decreasing. Medium -
3.4.2. Undertake suitable tracking methods to find out causes of mortality, survival
rates and dispersal patterns. High High
3.4.3. Establish a marking and ringing scheme for juvenile birds in order to assess
the mortality rate during the first years of their life. Medium High
3.4.4. Promote research on food availability in mainland Greece, where scarcity is
believed to be factor. High -
3.4.5. Assess the impacts of the changes in veterinary practises regarding disposal
of carcasses (Closing of offal dumps/slaughterhouses). Medium Low
3.4.6. Assess the impacts of the illegal use (extend, trends) of poisoned baits for
predator control in different parts of Greece. Essential
- High Medium
3.4.7. Assess the (potential) impacts due to collisions and electrocutions at the
existing colonies, roosting sites and main migrating routes. High High
3.4.8. Examine specimens to determine cause of death/failure and levels of
environmental contaminants essential Essential
3.4.9. Undertake pathological examination of dead specimens to determine cause
of death and ensure proper collection, handling and conservation of
pathologic, genetic or scientific material.
essential essential

57
4. Public awareness and training
4.1. Prepare information and education materials about the Griffon vulture,
underlining the problems of poisoning, illegal shooting and habitat degradation.
These materials should be targeted at livestock farmers, hunters, landowners
and stake holders.
High High
4.2. Where poisoning is a problem, prepare specific information materials and
undertake a campaign targeted at a) farmers, hunters and landowners, b)
pupils and students.
essential essential
4.3. Highlight vulture conservation in information centers within protected areas
where the species occurs. High Medium
4.4. Motivate and increase the capacity of stake holders (forestry service,
management bodies of protected areas, etc) and NGOs on vulture
conservation issues.
High Medium
Criteria for Priority
Essential: needed to prevent large decline which could lead to the extinction
High: needed to prevent a decline of more than 20% in 20 years or less
Medium: needed to prevent a decline of less than 20% in 20 years or less
Low: needed to prevent local population declines
Conservation of Griffon vulture in Greece
Few NGOs and one Institute are working on the conservation of Griffons vultures.
These are: Hellenic Ornithological Society, World Wild Fund for Nature Greece –
Dadia Project that is being activated at Dadia area, Hellenic Wildlife Rehabilitation
Center and National Agricultural Research Foundation. Besides extensive research
on the species has been undertaken in Crete by Stavros Xirouchakis.
Furthermore there is a Life project including conservation measures for the protection
of Griffon vultures at Stena Nestou, undertaken by the Society for the Protection of
Nature and Ecodevelopment (EPO). Finally there is an one year project for the
monitoring and conservation of the Griffon vultures at Arakynthos mountain,
undertaken by the Immediate Intervention for the protection of Nature.

58
3.10 The Situation of the Griffon vulture in Israel
Ohad Hatzofe & Ofer Bahat
Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Israel Nature & Parks Authority
Legal protection of the species:
All animals and plants are fully protected by law in Israel, with no exceptions apart
from limited no. of species which are considered as pests to agriculture and human
health.
Population size and trend:
Pop. size
(breeding pairs) Year Pop. data quality1 Pop. trend
(1990-2001) Source Pop. trend
expected in the future
132 - 140 2002 3 increase survey increase
Range trend
(1990-2001) Range data quality1 Source Range trend
expected in the future
increase 3 survey increase
1 Data Quality
For population size and range and for trend on population size and range size, use the following:
1 = Species poorly known, no quantitative data available
2 = Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available
3 = Reliable quantitative data (atlas survey or regular monitoring data) are available for the whole period and area
Distribution:
Mainly in rocky landscape of the Mediterranean
zones:
At the Golan Heights, the upper Galilee and Mt.
Carmel ridge (latter following a reintroduction
program), and in the arid zones of the Judean
Desert (where the species nests bellow sea level)
and the Negev desert. In total, 28 breeding sites
are known.
Table 1: Breeding sites with the No. of colonies
and corresponding No. of breeding pairs.
colony size no. of colonies
1 9
2 3
3 4
4 4
6 2
9 2
10 1
12 1
14 1
50 1

59
Israel
Syria
Jordan
Egypt
West
Bank

60
Threats:
Threats Importance1 Trend
Habitat loss
Overgrazing low constant
Agriculture intensification low increasing
Land Abandonment low constant
Afforestation low constant
Drainage low constant
Dam construction low constant
Forestation and closing of maki habitat unknown
(likely reducing foraging range) increasing
Persecution
Hunting low decreasing
Illegal hunting high
(mainly neighbouring countries) unknown
Taking of eggs/nestlings low constant
Poisoning medium constant
Pollution
Use of agricultural chemicals unknown constant
Oil spills low constant
Climate change
Desertification low decreasing
Increased rainfall low constant
Global warming unknown increasing
Other threats
Food quality (resulting in decalcification) medium decreasing
Collision with aircrafts medium decreasing
Electrocution medium decreasing
1 Importance
Critical: a factor that could lead to the extinction of the species in 20 years or less
High: a factor that could lead to a decline of more than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Medium: a factor that could lead to a decline of less than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Low: a factor that only affects the species at a local level
Unknown: a factor that is likely to affect the species but it is unknown to what extent

61
3.11 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Italy
Fulvio Genero, Fabio Perco.
Regione Autonoma Friuli – Venezia Giulia - Riserva naturale del Lago di Cornino
Legal protection of the species:
The species is protected by national law (157/91).
Population size and trend:
Pop. size
(breeding pairs) Year Pop. data quality Pop. trend1
(1990-2001) Source Population trend
expected in the future
55-60 2002 3 increasing Workshop at
Bussolengo (VR):
26th Jan. 2003
increasing
(reintroductions-
restocking)
Range trend
(1990-2001) Range data quality1 Source Range trend
expected in the future
increasing
(reintroductions-restocking)
3
Workshop at
Bussolengo (VR):
26th Jan. 2003
increasing
1 Data Quality
For population size and range and for trend on population size and range size, use the following:
1 = Species poorly known, no quantitative data available
2 = Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available
3 = Reliable quantitative data (atlas survey or regular monitoring data) are available for the whole period and area
Distribution:
In Italy, the last native breeding population was in the NW Sardegna. Griffons from
the Balkans (mostly from Croatia – Kvarner archipelago) spend the summer season
in the NE Alps (in an area neighbouring Austria and Slovenia). Due to reintroduction /
restocking projects, the species has been re-established has a breeding population
which presently includes NE Italy (Forgaria nel Friuli - Udine) and Central Italy (two
sites in the Abruzzo-Province L’Aquila (Allavena pers. com.; Genero in prep.).
Another reintroduction project is in progress in Sicily (S Italy), where some birds have
recently been released (Lo Valvo pers. com.) but they are presently not breeding.
Additional reintroduction projects are planned in Calabria (birds still in captivity;
Pandolfi: pers. com.) and in the Central Alps (Trento region: Genero in prep.).

62
Swiss
Slovneia
Austria
Italy
France
Bosnia
Herzegovina
Croatia
Serbia
Albania
Greece
Hungary
Montenegro
Tunisia

63
Threats:
Importance1 Trend
Habitat loss
Overgrazing
Agriculture intensification low decreasing
Land Abandonment medium increasing
Afforestation critical increasing
Drainage
Dam construction
Persecution
Hunting low (firearms) constant
Illegal hunting medium (firearms) constant
Taking of eggs/nestlings low constant
Poisoning critical decreasing
Pollution
Use of agricultural chemicals critical increasing
Oil spills
Climate change
Desertification
Increased rainfall
Other climate changes (please
specify)
Other threats
Electrocution and collision medium constant
Human disturbance high
(airplanes, para-/hanggliders,
climbers, curious naturalists) constant
1 Importance
Critical: a factor that could lead to the extinction of the species in 20 years or less
High: a factor that could lead to a decline of more than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Medium: a factor that could lead to a decline of less than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Low: a factor that only affects the species at a local level
Unknown: a factor that is likely to affect the species but it is unknown to what extent

64
3.12 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Jordan
Fares Khoury
Hashemite University, Department of Biological Sciences
Legal protection of the species:
According to the hunting law, all birds of prey are protected.
Population size and trend:
Pop. size
(breeding pairs) Year Pop. data quality Pop. trend1
(1990-2001) Source Population trend
expected in the future
12-30 2000 1
(except Wadi Dana: 2) unknown
(probably stable) Khoury
(2000)
generally decreasing
(loss of colonies)
local increase at
Wadi Dana possible
Range trend
(1990-2001) Range data quality1
Source Range trend
expected in the future
unknown 1 no data available decreasing
1 Data Quality
For population size and range and for trend on population size and range size, use the following:
1 = Species poorly known, no quantitative data available
2 = Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available
3 = Reliable quantitative data (atlas survey or regular monitoring data) are available for the whole period and area
Distribution:
Griffon Vultures have been recorded mainly in the western parts of the country,
especially along the western edges of the mountain ranges extending in a S-N
direction along the rift margins. The only breeding colonies are currently known from
Dana Nature Reserve in the SW Jordan (up to 12 pairs). Nevertheless, birds are
often being recorded in other parts of the highlands of SW Jordan, e.g. at Petra, and
in the extreme north at Wadi Al-Yarmuk. Breeding occurs in rocky mountains with
deep gorges and/or high cliffs with ledges, in SW Jordan mainly on sandstone cliffs,
climate is arid to semi-arid Mediterranean, vegetation being mainly of steppe
character, the same habitats which are usually inhabited by Nubian Ibex and Rock
Hyrax. The habitats are subject to grazing by goats and sheep, sometimes kept by
locals in large herds of up to 100 animals each. These domestic animals are
currently believed to be important as a food source for the vultures, as the wild
animals e.g. ibex and gazelles have become extremely rare. Overgrazing may have
negative effects on the long run.

65
Israel
Syria
Jordan
Egypt
West
Bank
Saudi Arabia
Iraq

66
Threats:
Importance1 Trend
Habitat loss
Overgrazing high increasing
Agriculture intensification high increasing
Land Abandonment unknown
Afforestation unknown
Drainage unknown
Dam construction low
Persecution
Hunting
Illegal hunting high (firearms) constant
Taking of eggs/nestlings low constant
Poisoning low constant
Pollution
Use of agricultural chemicals high increasing
Oil spills low constant
Climate change
Desertification medium increasing
Increased rainfall
Other climate changes (please specify)
Other threats
(please specify)
1 Importance
Critical: a factor that could lead to the extinction of the species in 20 years or less
High: a factor that could lead to a decline of more than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Medium: a factor that could lead to a decline of less than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Low: a factor that only affects the species at a local level
Unknown: a factor that is likely to affect the species but it is unknown to what extent

67
3.13 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in the Republic of
Macedonia
Emilian Stoynov, Tome Lisicanec, Bratislav Grubac, Metodija Velevski and Ben
Hallmann
Wild Flora and Fauna Fund - Macedonia/ FWFF- Macedonia
Legal Protection of the species:
The species is protected by national law.
Population size and trend:
Pop. size
(breeding pairs) Year Pop. data quality1 Pop. trend
(1990-2001) Source Population trend
expected in the future
30-40 2003/04 2 stable or
slight decrease
Stoynov, E.,
Report for
BVCF 2002,
unpubl. Data
Grubac and
Velevski
slight increase
Range trend
(1990-2001) Range data quality1 Source Range trend
expected in the future
stable or slight decrease
2
Stoynov, E., Report for
Whitley Foundation 2000,
unpubl. Data Grubac and
Velevski
slight increase
1 Data Quality
For population size and range and for trend on population size and range size, use the following:
1 = Species poorly known, no quantitative data available
2 = Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available
3 = Reliable quantitative data (atlas survey or regular monitoring data) are available for the whole period and area
Distribution:
The Griffon Vulture is distributed in various areas of the country:
1. Demir Kapija Gorge: 18-20 breeding pairs, situated in south-eastern Macedonia
along the river of Vardar. Huge limestone cliffs with Mediterranean vegetation
(Juniperus excelsa, Juniperus oxicedris, Phylirea media, Quercus coccifera and
others). Closely, large open areas with large number of wintering sheep herds
occur. To the south is the Kozhuf Mountain range where the sheep herds graze
during summer. Additionally, the vultures of these colonies have access to the
Negotino rubbish dump where they can feed on slaughter offal.

68
FYR Macedonia
Greece Albania
Serbia
Bulgaria

69
2. Tikvesh area: 9-11 pairs breed on huge limestone cliffs. The area is situated in
the southern part of Macedonia, along the river Crna and the Tikvesh reservoir.
The vegetation is similar to the one described for Demir Kapija with additional
Black Pine forests (Pinus nigra) and single Arbutus andrachne trees. There is a
vital wolf population in the adjacent region and lot of sheep in the area of Mariovo.
In this area also Black, Bearded and Egyptian Vultures occur.
3. West Mariovo: 2-3 pairs are breeding in this wide gorge along the Crna river
(rocks of volcanic origine). Silicate cliffs with scarse tree vegetation are
characteristic for the landscape.
4. Raets Gorge: 0-2 pairs breed there irregularly. Medium sized limestone cliffs
along a small river. The vegetation is similar to Demir Kapia. 2003/04 was
breeding records.
5. Babuna Gorge: 0-2 pairs breed there irregularly. A small limestone cliff with many
caves. The gorge is situated in the lower Babuna River Valley next to the town of
Veles. The vegetation is similar to Demir Kapia. The vultures from this colony use
the Veles slaughterhouse offal dump for feeding. 2003/04 was breeding records.
6. Bogoslovets: 0-5 pairs breed there irregularly. The gorge consists of medium
sized mergillite cliffs along the Bregalnitsa river in central Macedonia. A lack of
food during the summer season due to its traditional use for winter sheep grazing
(completely flat terrain) is the likely reason for the irregular breeding in this area.
However, the vultures use the slaughterhouses of Sveti Nikole and Shtip for
foraging. 2003/04 was breeding records.
7. Ratkova Skala: This colony has 3-4 breeding pairs and is situated in the north-
eastern part of Macedonia in the Osogovo mountains. The cliffs are medium sized
and consist of volcanic rocks. There Griffons use the open flat area of Ovche Pole
for winter foraging and the Osogovo Mountains during summer when the sheep
graze on the alpine pastures.
8. Matka Gorge: A small "colony" along the Treska river in Northern Macedonia
close to Skopje with 1 breeding pair on huge limestone cliffs

70
9. Shar and Korab Mountains: High mountains where Griffon Vultures are only
summer visitors because the mountains are used by sheep exclusively as
summer grazing grounds (up to 1,000,000 sheep not long ago).
Threats:
Importance1 Trend
Habitat loss
Overgrazing
Agriculture intensification medium increasing
Land Abandonment
Afforestation low increasing
Drainage low decreasing
Dam construction medium increasing
Persecution
Hunting low constant
Illegal hunting low decreasing
Taking of eggs/nestlings low decreasing
Poisoning critical constant
Pollution
Use of agricultural chemicals critical increasing
Oil spills
Climate change
Desertification
Increased rainfall
Other climate changes (please specify)
Other threats
disturbance by helicopter and climbing low increasing
Lack of food high increasing
Changes in Veterinary Practices2 high increasing
1 Importance
Critical: a factor that could lead to the extinction of the species in 20 years or less
High: a factor that could lead to a decline of more than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Medium: a factor that could lead to a decline of less than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Low: a factor that only affects the species at a local level
Unknown: a factor that is likely to affect the species but it is unknown to what extent
2 likely if integration into the EU occurs

71
3.14 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Morocco
Said Hajib
Ingénieur d’Etat Principal des Eaux et Forêts
Projet de co-operation Morocco Allemande
“Assistance à la Gestion des Ressources Naturelles”
The Gyps fulvus is on the brink of extinction in Morocco, due to the use of poison to
destroy feral dogs, poaching, disturbance and destruction of nests. Historically, this
species nested all over the rocky cliffs in Morocco mountains. Currently , its
population should not go over 10 nesting couples in the whole country. Nevertheless,
the species has been observed regularly crossing the country during winter in small
groups. Almost 1000 birds cross the Gibraltar every autumn. These birds could be
observed in Morocco from October to half of May. They are coming especially from
the expanding population inhabiting in Spain. According to Garrido et al. (in press)
the species is completely absent in Northern Morocco and only migrants from Spain
have been recorded. Groups of griffons are recorded every year between October to
December. A few recoveries of Spanish birds have been recorded.
Although, the Gyps fulvus is considered as a protected species in Morocco, no
concrete actions have been done so far to restore it. The creation of some protected
areas including the vulture nesting cliffs has been achieved, but it is not sufficient to
protected the species foraging sites. The forest department is planning to reintroduce
the Gyps fulvus in the framework of protected area management project financed by
the GEF (World Bank).

72
Morocco
Algeria

73
3.15 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Portugal
Alvaro Camiña Cardenal
SEO/Birdlife, Iberian Group of Raptors
Legal protection of the species:
The species is protected according to the EU Birds Directive 79/409/CEE.
Population size and trend:
Pop. size
(breeding pairs) Year Pop. data quality1 Pop. trend
(1990-2001) Source Pop. trend
expected in the future
267-272 1999 3 138%
increase Del Moral
& Martí
(2000) increasing
Range trend
(1990-2001) Range data quality1 Source Range trend expected in the
future
small increase 3 Araujo et al. (1992)
Del Moral & Martí (2000) steadily increasing
1 Data Quality
For population size and range and for trend on population size and range size, use the following:
1 = Species poorly known, no quantitative data available
2 = Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available
3 = Reliable quantitative data (atlas survey or regular monitoring data) are available for the whole period and area
Distribution:
The species is widely distributed all over the Iberian Peninsula. However, a wide
Atlantic corridor is not suitable Griffon habitat and thus Portugal is only partly settled
by Griffon vultures. The species distribution in Portugal on the large rivers basins:
Duero (43,1% of griffon population), Tajo (56,5%) and Guadiana (0,4%) and is
connected to the population of Spain.
The Guadiana Basin was re-colonised in 1999 after more than twenty years without
vultures. In 1989 (1st census in Portugal) 62-72 breeding pairs were recorded and 7
years later the population increased to 155-159 pairs. The success of the griffon
vulture in Portugal is linked to the traditional farming practices of leaving carcasses in
the field providing a good food supply for vultures.

74
Portugal
Spain

75
Threats:
Threats Importance1 Trend
Habitat loss
Overgrazing
Agriculture intensification
Land Abandonment
Afforestation
Drainage
Dam construction
Food availability medium increasing
Persecution
Hunting
Illegal hunting
Taking of eggs/nestlings
Poisoning medium-high (baits) increasing
Pollution
Use of agricultural chemicals
Oil spills
Climate change
Desertification
Increased rainfall
Other threats (please specify)
1 Importance
Critical: a factor that could lead to the extinction of the species in 20 years or less
High: a factor that could lead to a decline of more than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Medium: a factor that could lead to a decline of less than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Low: a factor that only affects the species at a local level
Unknown: a factor that is likely to affect the species but it is unknown to what extent

76
3.16 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Serbia
Bratislav Grubac
Institution for Protection Nature of Serbia, New Belgrade, III Bulevar 106
Legal protection of the species:
The species is protected by the “Right Act” from 1993 (Law for the Protection of
Nature and for hunting of Serbia); The species is protected as rare natural heritage
since 1949.
Population size and trend:
Pop. size
(breeding pairs) Year Pop. data quality1 Population trend
(1990-2001) Source Pop. trend expected
in the future
50-60 2001-2 2-3 80 % increase Grubac B. increasing
Range trend
(1990-2001) Range data quality1 Source Range trend
expected in the future
unknown (possibly constant) 2 Grubac, B. increasing
1 Data Quality
For population size and range and for trend on population size and range size, use the following:
1 = Species poorly known, no quantitative data available
2 = Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available
3 = Reliable quantitative data (atlas survey or regular monitoring data) are available for the whole period and area
Distribution:
Three breeding colonies exist in SW Serbia: Treshnjica gorge near Ljubovija, Uvac
gorge near Nova Varos and Mileshevka gorge near Prijepolje. Additionally, non-
breeding groups exist at Mt Shara (AP Kosovo and Metohija) and (in small numbers)
at Stara planina and others areas in SW and SE Serbia. Generally, the breeding
colonies are restricted to gorges of up to 1200 m a.s.l. and the foraging range
extends over open and undeveloped areas (mainly pastures with livestock but also
other open or semi-open habitats).

77
Serbia
Croatia
Bosn
ia
Herzegovina
Romania
Bulgaria

78
Threats:
Threats Importance1 Trend
Habitat loss
Overgrazing low (?) decreasing (?)
Agriculture intensification low constant
Land Abandonment medium increasing
Afforestation low constant
Drainage low constant
Dam construction medium-high increasing
Persecution
Hunting
Illegal hunting low decreasing
Taking of eggs/nestlings unknown
Poisoning low (pesticides) decreasing
Pollution
Use of agricultural chemicals low to medium constant-increasing
Oil spills
Climate change
Desertification unknown
Increased rainfall unknown
Other climate changes
(please specify)
Other threats
Trapping low decreasing
1 Importance
Critical: a factor that could lead to the extinction of the species in 20 years or less
High: a factor that could lead to a decline of more than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Medium: a factor that could lead to a decline of less than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Low: a factor that only affects the species at a local level
Unknown: a factor that is likely to affect the species but it is unknown to what extent

79
3.17 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Spain
Alvaro Camiña Cardenal
SEO/Birdlife, Iberian Group of Raptors
Legal protection of the species:
Besides EU legislation (Bird Directive 79/409/CEE), the species is protected by
National Law 4/1989 for the Protection of Nature, Flora and Fauna and the Royal
Decree 439/89 on Endangered Species. A New Red Data Book is currently reviewed
for Spanish bird species.
Population size and trend:
Pop. size
(breeding pairs) Year Pop. data quality1 Pop. trend
(1990-2001) Source Pop. trend
expected in the future
17 337 – 18 080 1999 3 130% increase
Del Moral
& Martí
(2000) Ed. increasing
Range trend
(1990-2001) Range data quality1 Source Range trend
expected in the future
small increase 3 SEO (1981)
Arroyo et al. (1990)
Del Moral & Martí (2000)
slightly increasing
1 Data Quality
For population size and range and for trend on population size and range size, use the following:
1 = Species poorly known, no quantitative data available
2 = Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available
3 = Reliable quantitative data (atlas survey or regular monitoring data) are available for the whole period and area
Distribution:
The species is widely distributed all over the Iberian Peninsula except the NW
(Galicia), a wide Atlantic band (most of the Portuguese country) and some
Mediterranean regions (south of Valencia and east of Andalusia). Most important
populations are located in the western part of the Pre-Pyrenees, NE of Castilla León
and in southern Spain (Cádiz, Extremadura and Salamanca). From Salamanca the
species range extends into Portugal through the large rivers (see Portugal).
However, 98.5% of the Iberian population lives within Spain. 80% of the population
inhabits five autonomous regions: Aragón (25,3%), Castilla & León (23,7%),
Andalusia (12,5%), Navarra (11,5%) and Castilla la Mancha (7,2%). Another 7,2% of
the population includes the following 12 provinces (listed in decreasing order):
Navarra, Burgos, Huesca, Teruel, Cádiz, Zaragoza, Segovia, Cáceres, La Rioja,

80
Portugal
Spain
Morocco
France

81
Guadalajara, Salamanca and Soria. Four provinces have been recolonised during
the last 10 years: Almería, Barcelona, León and Murcia. Recently (2000-2002), a
reintroduction project is under ways in the Alicante province (Del Moral & Martí,
2001).
The first National Census was carried out in 1979 (SEO 1981). During the years
1979-1989 (Arroyo et al. 1990) a 135% increase was detected while the increase
during the following decade was 130%.
Almost all habitats with large livestock numbers are being used. Many vultures forage
on intensively used farmland (mainly pigs). Feeding points, which are actually illegal),
are the main food supply there. However, food provision may turn out to be a major
threat in the short future due to the EU-regulations following the BSE crises
(322/2003 Decision). In this context, an European regulation on food provision for
carrion eating birds is an urgent requirement and must be approved because vultures
are largely depending on cattle and sheep (species that are considered to contain
specific risk material in the context of the BSE problem).
The other threat for vultures in Spain is poisoning. A great increase has been
detected during the past years (Hernandez 2000). Poison is used in order to reduce
predators of small game, attacks of wolves on livestock and, recently, attacks of
griffons on live livestock (Camiña et al. 1995, Camiña 2004).

82
Threats:
Threats Importance1 Trend
Habitat loss
Overgrazing
Agriculture intensification
Land Abandonment
Afforestation
Drainage
Dam construction
Food availability Increasing
Persecution
Hunting
Illegal hunting
Taking of eggs/nestlings
Poisoning Medium-high Increasing
Pollution
Use of agricultural chemicals
Oil spills
Climate change
Desertification
Increased rainfall
Other threats
1 Importance
Critical: a factor that could lead to the extinction of the species in 20 years or less
High: a factor that could lead to a decline of more than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Medium: a factor that could lead to a decline of less than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Low: a factor that only affects the species at a local level
Unknown: a factor that is likely to affect the species but it is unknown to what extent

83
3.18 The Situation of the Griffon Vulture in Turkey
Edwin W.A.M. Vaassen
Turkish Society for Scientific Research & Rehabilitation of Diurnal & Nocturnal Birds
of Prey
Legal protection of the species:
Like all other birds of prey, the species is protected by the Hunting Law (3167) of the
Turkish Republic.
Population size and trend:
Pop. size
(breeding pairs) Year Pop. data quality1 Pop. trend
(1990-2001) Source Pop. trend
expected in the future
300-500 2002 2 critical decline
(50-60%)
Vaassen
(2001),
Vaassen &
Aykurt (2002)
critical decline
Range trend
(1990-2001) Range data quality1 Source Range trend
expected in the future
critical decline
(20-40%) 2 Vaassen (2001)
Vaassen & Aykurt (2002)
critical decline
1 Data Quality
For population size and range and for trend on population size and range size, use the following:
1 = Species poorly known, no quantitative data available
2 = Species generally well known, but only poor or incomplete quantitative data available
3 = Reliable quantitative data (atlas survey or regular monitoring data) are available for the whole period and area
Distribution:
Porter (1991) described the status of the Griffon Vulture as a “Regionally Significant
Breeder” as more than 20% of the regional population or 20% of the regional range
of the eastern half of the West Palaearctic (including the whole of Iran) occurs in
Turkey. Most of the population is resident in south, south-eastern and eastern Turkey
with some remnants in western and northern Turkey, where the Griffon is less
common than the Eurasian Black Vulture Aegypius monachus (Heredia et al. 1997).
However, the species is absent along the Black Sea coast (Kasparek 1992; Bilgin &
Kasparek 1996). In 1982 Gensbøl (1987) estimated the Turkish population at
between 500–1000 pairs and referred to a decreasing trend. Both, Arroyo (1994) and
Bilgin & Kasparek (1996) estimated the Turkish population at between 100 and 1000
pairs; Arroyo (1994) further mentioned a moderate decline. However, Kasparek
(1992) indicated that the most western colonies near Izmir and the Meander Delta

84
Turkey
Romania
Bulgaria
Byelarus
Syria
Georgia
Iraq

85
were already abandoned in the first half of the 20th century. It was further suggested
that the Griffon Vulture had undergone a significant decline until the 1960s and
thereafter the population had stabilized at a low level. Recent field studies revealed
that the actual population of Griffon vultures in Turkey is not less than 300 and
probably not exceeds 500 pairs (Vaassen, 2002a; Vaassen & Aykurt, 2002).
Preference has been found for areas with marginal cultivation and, if available, only
patchy forest. The damming area (mainly Atatürk Barajc, Keban Barajc) in central-
east Turkey discontinuousness the distribution of Griffon vultures in SE and S
Turkey. Suitable cliffs or breeding habitat are found very commonly in Turkey,
however food resources and surrounding habitat are a limiting factor. Foraging areas
are threatened by overgrazing, agricultural intensification in the whole western half as
well as in south-eastern Turkey and threatened by afforestation mainly in NE Turkey.
Poisoning seems to be the main threat of griffon vultures in Turkey.
Threats:
Threats Importance1 Trend
Habitat loss
Overgrazing medium constant
Agriculture intensification high increasing
Land Abandonment low decreasing
Afforestation medium increasing
Drainage unknown unknown
Dam construction high increasing
Power-lines unknown constant
Persecution
Hunting firearms low constant
Illegal hunting firearms low-medium constant
Taking of eggs/nestlings low unknown
Poisoning (Strychnine/Cyanide) critical increasing
Pollution
Use of agricultural chemicals high increasing
Oil spills unknown ?
Climate change
Desertification unknown increasing
Increased rainfall unknown increasing
Other threats
Lead Shot Poisoning critical constant
1 Importance
Critical: a factor that could lead to the extinction of the species in 20 years or less
High: a factor that could lead to a decline of more than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Medium: a factor that could lead to a decline of less than 20% of the population in 20 years or less
Low: a factor that only affects the species at a local level
Unknown: a factor that is likely to affect the species but it is unknown to what extent

86
4. Aims and objectives
4.1 Aims
The remaining populations in the eastern European / Mediterranean range suffer an
increased vulnerability due to:
• Isolated subpopulations
• Very large foraging areas (local and non-local threats)
• Very low effective population sizes
• Presumably very few genetic interactions
• Low natural reproductive rate
• Slow generation cycle
• Low potential for natural re-colonization
• Intensive philopatric behaviour
Therefore, management and conservation activities require a pan-Eurasian scale.
The aim of this Action Plan is to reduce the population decrease of the Eurasian
Griffon Vulture in the Eastern European/Mediterranean Range and to inverse current
trends in population dynamics. Over the long term, a self-sustaining (meta-)
population should be achieved with a re-colonization of the former range (where
habitats is still suitable). We also expect highly beneficial effects for all other vulture
species in the geographic scope of this Action Plan.
4.2 Objectives
Although certain aims and objectives may affect more than one of the following
categories, we structured them in i) conservation and management, ii) monitoring
and iii) research needs. This seems appropriate because their implementation will
involve different NGOs and governmental institutions according to their specific
competence.

87
4.2.1 Conservation and management
Conservation and management needs address the following issues:
Poisoning – essential
• Safe food supply (feeding stations)
• Effective protection of livestock against predators
• Law enforcement
• Implement political pressure on a EU-Level
• Establish a anti-poisoning working group
• Control of poisons and effective regulations
• Anti-poisoning campaign and public awareness
• Monitoring of poisoning events and food quality (identification and analyses)
• Ban of lead bullets
Poisoning is a complex problem which addresses a wide spectrum of issues. These
include the reinforcement of existing laws, control of the use of poison and
implementation of effective regulations, an anti-poisoning campaign with profound
education about the ecological consequences involved in the use of poison and the
ecological role of vultures, the ban of lead-bullets for hunting (feeding from remains)
and the protection of livestock against natural predators as an alternative to poisoned
baits (suitable guarding dogs can be an effective measure in this context).
Protection of habitat and food supply - high
• Feeding stations for enough food supply
• Law enforcement: EU-restrictions, veterinarian and biological needs
• Promotion of traditional land use / restoration of sustainable livestock
numbers
• Restoration of populations of wild ungulates
• Control of visitor flow / sporting activities
• Restriction of urbanisation and industrial exploitation

88
The supply of safe and sufficient food can currently only be guaranteed by artificial
feeding sites (“vulture restaurants”) in most parts of the Eurasian range. As most
vulture species are depending on domesticated livestock anyway, it makes not such
a big difference if food supply is provided in a dispersed manner through natural
mortality causes or at specific sites which have the big advantage of a controlled
operation (and additionally for monitoring purposes). Such feeding sites are widely
accepted in other geographic regions (for example South Africa). However, within the
context of the BSE crises, it is particularly important to establish standards for an
appropriate operation of such feeding sites at an European level.
For the maintenance of natural foraging behaviour which was of special importance
for the evolution of vultures and for some conservation biologists also desirable from
an “ethical” perspective, more natural feeding habits should be aspired. Therefore,
the promotion of extensive livestock farming, especially transhumance practices, are
important and can even be interpreted as a co-evolutional result between traditional
forms of human land-use and vultures and other scavengers. For the same reason,
the restoration of wild ungulate populations is important. Those have greatly been
decimated by over-harvesting (southern and south-eastern Europe) and due to
questionable forest management policies (central Europe).
Disturbance has been documented as the cause for the extinction of some breeding
colonies and the abandonment of frequently cliffs used as roosting sites. Therefore,
the control of recreational and sporting activities close to breeding sites and other
suitable cliffs such as climbing, paragliding, curiosity and bathing/diving (on
Mediterranean islands) is an important issue. Basically, restricted access is only a
matter of local and temporal requirements. In few occasions, mining activities have
been reported to be critical in this context (for example for Bulgaria). Building of
infrastructure and urbanisation can result in a severe reduction of habitat suitability in
sensitive breeding or foraging areas.
Powerlines (electrocution and collision), overhead cables, wind turbines - high
• Modify existing electricity poles and wires with protective devices
• Implementation of safe electricity pole design
• Avoid further buildings of overhead cable structures

89
• Optimised wind turbines (design and location)
Losses caused by electrocution or collision, overhead cables and wind turbines can
be substantial. Therefore, the design of safe electricity poles is an important measure
and adequate constructions can eliminate any risk. However, precaution measures to
avoid collision with over-head cables are much more difficult and will always
represent a certain mortality risk. In this context, urbanisation of remote areas can
have adverse effects on vulture populations. The same holds true for wind turbines
which have caused huge losses at various places (for example in Spain). Efforts
focussing on an optimised design of such structures have not been very efficient in
reducing mortality rates so far.
Illegal Shooting - medium (locally high)
Public awareness in general – medium
Reintroductions / Restocking activities - currently low (potentially high)
At present, restocking and reintroduction activities do not make much sense as
mortality causes are yet not eliminated. Therefore, the EGVWG agreed on a common
decision that any reintroduction or restocking activity must be in accordance with the
corresponding IUCN guidelines. Consequently, the importance of such activities is
currently rated as “low”. However, as vultures have strong philopatric habits, a re-
colonisation of vacant habitats of their former range will be ineffective and last
comparably long. Therefore such activities can play an important role for the long-
term restoration of the Eurasian Griffon Vulture population. Concrete and actual
plans for reintroduction exist for the Carpathian basin (Hungary, Rumania, Slovakia -
Dudas & Vegvari 2002):
Taking of Eggs – low

90
4.2.2 Monitoring
• Marking Individuals
• Population trends (breeding pairs, productivity, no. fledglings, no. at feeding
sites)
• Pathological monitoring of live and dead birds (mortality causes)
• Central database
• Habitat suitability / limiting factors
Monitoring of population trends, breeding success, movements of marked birds and
mortality causes is essential and an urgent requirement in order to set (or correct) the
adequate management priorities. The corresponding objectives include standardized
and coordinated Marking Program, sampling of population trend, breeding success
and movements of marked birds, integrated Data Base (one coordinator per country,
synchronized copies for all users)
The EGVWG established basic standards for a coordinated ring-marking and wing-
tagging project on earlier meetings, and an integrated database is currently being
established to guarantee standardised data. This data-base will be handled by
national coordinators and data-integration and re-distribution will be managed
centrally by French colleagues (F. Sarrazin, French team). Local copies of the
database are provided for every group involved in monitoring to guarantee quick data
access. Due to the risk which is imposed by the population crash of Gyps vultures on
the Indian subcontinent, a special monitoring concern has to be focussed along
potential Eurasian migration routes.
4.2.3 Research needs
• Population Viability Analyses
• Space / habitat use patterns (population interactions, risk identification,
Juvenile dispersal)
• Evaluation of management priorities for present and potential habitats
• Medical and toxicological research (post mortem examinations)
• Analyses of genetic variation (Population structure, reintroductions)
• Final confirmation of causes for the crash of Gyps-populations in India

91
Currently, there are considerable gaps in our knowledge of many aspects of Griffon
Vulture biology which limit our capabilities concerning certain management aspects.
One of the most relevant aspects in this context addresses population interactions
throughout the distribution range. Various observations of marked individuals give an
idea about large scale movements, juvenile dispersal and migration routes. However,
we have currently no idea if these movements result in interactions on a population
level such as gene flow. Therefore, genetic analyses of different populations are of
great importance. They are also relevant for potential restocking and/or reintroduction
projects as the diversity of the gene pool will also have consequences for the
decision which individuals are suitable for being released to the wild in the Eastern
European/Mediterranean range. Currently there are 3 research groups working on
genetic aspects (in France, Germany and Israel).
Besides the knowledge on gene flow, a more systematic monitoring of large and
short scale movements is of high importance. Such data can be collected using
various telemetry techniques (satellite-, GPS/GSM and VHF-telemetry) and will
deliver valuable data on habitat utilisation, risks and mortality causes but will also
give a clearer pattern on juvenile dispersal and migration corridors. Currently, a
research initiative is starting (cooperation between Salzburg and Vienna Zoo, the
Friuli Griffon Vulture Reintroduction Project and the ornithological station Cres) where
4 units of GPS/GSM telemetry units will be disposed on birds trapped during juvenile
dispersal which will deliver both, accurate positions, large coverage and high
temporal resolution.
A thorough analyses of mortality causes (post-mortem examinations) and of the
ultimate cause of the Gyps vulture population crashes in Asia will also be of utmost
importance for Griffon vulture research.
4.3 Logistic aspects
• Optimum information flow between groups
• Coordinated marking and tagging program
• Monitoring Network
• Feeding site management (Network needed)
• Education

92
The EGVWG as a working group has very limited logistic and financial resources. We
see our capabilities primarily in providing a functioning platform for information
exchange, expertise and know-how. Therefore this Action Plan focuses more on the
relevant objectives than on concrete actions and the appointment of responsibilities
to certain NGOs, institutions and groups. However, several EGVWG members do
have resources for efficient monitoring, research and management.
For the implementation of this Action Plan, intensive cooperation at International level
is an essential requirement. A Balkan Vulture Initiative established as a joint venture
between the Black Vulture Conservation Society (BVCF), the Frankfurt Zoological
Society (ZGF), the Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture (FCBV),
BirdLife International, La Lige pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO) and the Royal
Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is currently under ways and can play an
important role for the implementation of this Action Plan. An agreement on
cooperation in this issue has been achieved. Numerous NGO´s exist at different
national level .are potentially willing to cooperate (in alphabetic order):
Albania:
• Albanian Society for the Protection of Birds and Mammals
• Preservation and Protection of Nature and Environment in Albania (PPNEA)
• Zoo Tirana
Armenia:
• Armenian Society for the Protection of Birds
Austria:
• Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture (FCBV)
• Hohe Tauern Nationalpark
• Innsbruck Zoo
• Salzburg Zoo
• Vienna Zoo
• WWF Austria

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Bulgaria:
• Balkan Wildlife Society
• Birds of prey protection society
• Bulgarian Ornithological Centre
• Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB)
• Green Balkans Federation
• Le Balkan
• Nature Information and Conservation Center Eastern Rhodopes (NICCER)
• Semper Viva
• Sofia Zoo
• Wild Fauna and Flora Fund (FWFF)
Croatia:
• Eco-centre Caput Insulae-Beli (ECCIB)
• Ornithological station Cres
Cyprus:
• Forestry Department of Cyprus
France:
• Black Vulture Conservation Foundation
• Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture (FCBV)
• LPO-FIR
• Université Pierre et Marie Curie / Laboratoire d'Ecologie
• Parc Naturel Regional du Vercors
Georgia:
• Georgian Centre for the Conservation of Wildlife (GCCW)
• Bird Conservation Union of Georgia (BCUG)
• Institute of Zoology of Georgian Academy of Sciences
• Noah's Ark Centre for the Recovery of Endangered Species (NACRES)
Germany:
• Frankfurt Zoological Society (ZGF)
• Frankfurt University / Zoological department
• Heidelberg University Faculty for Pharmacology & Biology
• World Working Group on Birds of Prey and Owls (WWGBP)
Greece:
• Hellenic Ornithological Society (HOS)
• Hellenic Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
• Immediate Intervention for the protection of Nature
• National Agricultural Research Foundation
• Natural History Museum of Crete
• Society for the Protection of Nature and Ecodevelopment
• Thessaloniki University of Department of Forestry and Natural Environment
• WWF Greece – Dadia Project

94
Hungary:
• Budapest Zoological and Botanical Garden
Italy:
• Abruzzo Griffon Vulture Reintroduction Project
• Friuli Griffon Vulture Reintroduction Project
• Parco Natura Viva
• WWF
Israel:
• Israel Nature Reserves and Parks Authority
• Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) / Gamla Nature Reserve
• Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel
Jordan:
• Hashemite University / Department of Biological Sciences
• The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN)
FYR of Macedonia
• Wild Fauna and Flora Fund (FWFF)
• Society of Ecologists of Macedonia
• Natural History Museum Skopje
• BioEcco
• Skopje Zoo
Serbia:
• Institute for Protection of Nature
• Instiute for Nature Cosnervation of Serbia
Spain:
• Black Vulture Conservation Foundation (BVCF)
• SEO/Birdlife
Switzerland:
• Bündner Natural History Museum
• Goldau Zoo
• Infodienst Wildbiologie & Oekologie
• Stiftung Pro Bartgeier
• Schwiss National Park
• Schweizerische Vogelwarte Sempach
• SWILD
• University of Bern / Conservation Biology
Turkey:
• Raptor Research & Rehabilitation Center Turkey (RRRCT)
• Turkish Bird Research Society (KAD)

95
United Kingdom:
• Natural Research, Ltd.
• Zoological Society of London / Institute of Zoology - Wildlife Epidemiology
• Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)
• The National Birds of Prey Centre

96
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