In a remarkable international effort, 30 young Griffon Vultures recently arrived in Sardinia, within the LIFE Safe for Vultures project. 25 come from the Amus centre in Extremadura; 3 are from the Netherlands and 2 from the Czech Republic. This is the largest contingent of Griffon Vultures transported within the project, showcasing the potential of international collaboration in conservation.
The Life Safe for Vultures project welcomes the third group of Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) arrived in Sardinia as part of the repopulation plan in the south of the island.
The group consists of 25 Griffon Vultures, 13 females and 12 males, coming from the AMUS center in Villafranca de los Barros (Spain), donated by Junta de Extremadura; 3 individuals from are the Netherlands, from the Artis Zoo in Amsterdam and the Gaia Zoo in Kerkrade, and 2 are from the Dvůr Králové Zoo in Dvůr Králové nad Labem (Czech Republic).
A Collaborative Effort
After the long journey that brought them to South Sardinia, the 30 young Griffon Vultures were welcomed by the Forestas Agency, partner of the LIFE Safe for Vultures project led by the Department of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Sassari. This is the third and largest cohort of birds introduced under this program.
They spent the first few days under the care of the staff of the Bonassai Wildlife Recovery Center, in Sassari. Only recently, the vultures were transferred to the acclimatisation aviary in Villasalto. They will spend the winter in the safety of the aviary, familiarising with Sardinian conditions.
This year, between April and October, the LIFE Safe for Vultures project released 35 Griffon Vultures in Southern Sardinia. The project’s researchers have been constantly monitoring their movements and habits, and some of them are still near the aviary. The newly arrived individuals will eventually be able to get used to their presence before being released next spring.
A step further towards restoring healthy ecosystems
After the excellent results of the LIFE Under Griffon Wings project, which successfully increased the Griffon Vultures population in the north-west of the island, the LIFE Safe for Vultures project aims to restore the historical distribution area of the species, reintroducing individuals to central-eastern and southern Sardinia.
The freshly arrived 30 individuals will soon be part of the growing local colony. On one hand, they will contribute to the crucial role that the species covers for the local extensive farming system. On the other, they are already the demonstration that science, community effort, and international collaboration can restore what once seemed lost.
As we await their release in spring, we celebrate the people that dedicated their lives to restore local ecosystems and contribute to the survival of iconic and crucial species.
The LIFE Safe for Vultures project
LIFE Safe for Vultures is co-financed by the EU’s LIFE Programme to restore the vulture guild in Sardinia. The University of Sassari leads the project in collaboration with Agenzia Regionale Forestas, Sardegna Corpo Forestale, E-Distribuzione and the Vulture Conservation Foundation. LIFE Safe for Vultures builds on the work of the successful LIFE Under Griffon Wings, with the ultimate objective for Griffon Vultures to regain their historic ranges and distribution areas from the central-eastern part of Sardinia to the south and promote the long-term survival of the species on the island. An additional feeding station will be established south of the island, and 40 additional Griffon Vultures will be translocated and released.
