The LIFE GypConnect project released nine more captive-bred Bearded Vultures in the wild this year as part of the efforts to establish a breeding population of Bearded Vultures in the Massif Central, as well as in the Pre-Alps, through reintroduction and promoting dispersal movements between the Alps and the Pyrenean population. One of the areas where the project releases birds is the Parc Naturel Régional du Vercors, situated in the Pre-Alps. How many birds are currently present in this area?
Bearded Vultures in Vercors
More than two Bearded Vultures are currently present in Vercors at the in Lus-la-Croix-Haute, including Angela and Kobalann. Kobalann is a captive-bred Bearded Vulture that was released this summer alongside Palo-Pala, who is currently exploring Vanoise. Elvio, who was released in Vercors last year and revisited his hacking cave hosting this year’s released birds, is now present in Ecrins. Mistral who was released alongside Elvio last year, is currently above Le Bourg-d’Oisans. We are glad to report that everything seems to go well for these birds.
Furthermore, three adult Bearded Vultures are soaring the skies in the south of the reserve. It is interesting to note that since 15 August, all the young or immature Bearded Vultures carefully avoid the south of the reserve, suggesting a territorial behaviour of the adults, however, this is only a hypothesis.
We look forward to continuing monitoring the movements and behaviour of the birds in Vercors.
You can stay tuned with these birds by following us on Facebook and Twitter.
LIFE GypConnect
Led by the League pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO), the LIFE GYPCONNECT project aims to establish a breeding population of Bearded Vultures in the Massif Central and Department of the Drôme. Releasing captive-bred Bearded Vultures into the wild at sites such as the Parc Naturel Régional des Grands Causses, Parc Naturel Régional des Baronnies Provençales and Parc Naturel Régional du Vercors will create a core population that will connect the two populations of the species in the Alps and Pyrenees. To facilitate movements between the new population and the Alpine and Pyrenean populations the LIFE GYPCONNECT team is creating a network of supplementary feeding stations, and tackling threats such as poisoning, and collision and electrocution with the electricity infrastructure.
