{"id":22205,"date":"2022-01-26T18:45:44","date_gmt":"2022-01-26T16:45:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/?p=22205"},"modified":"2025-05-05T15:46:57","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T12:46:57","slug":"griffon-vulture-restocking-in-sardinia-how-an-international-collaboration-helps-reinforce-the-local-population","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/es\/blog\/griffon-vulture-restocking-in-sardinia-how-an-international-collaboration-helps-reinforce-the-local-population\/","title":{"rendered":"Griffon Vulture restocking in Sardinia: How an international collaboration helps reinforce the local population"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Releasing
Releasing Griffon Vultures i n June 2018 at Monte Minerva, Sardinia, as part of restocking efforts \u00a9 LIFE Under Griffon Wings<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The\u00a0Griffon Vulture in Sardinia<\/a>\u00a0has undoubtedly made a remarkable recovery thanks to international collaboration, targeted conservation actions and effective engagement with relevant stakeholders. The new LIFE Safe for Vultures<\/a> project continues conserving the species with the objective to return the Griffon Vulture to the entire island. The project’s first Newsletter is now published and includes contributions by each partner, sharing the different actions that will help achieve the objectives of LIFE Safe for Vultures. We at the Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF) are discussing the role of restocking efforts in reinforcing vulture populations across Europe and in Sardinia.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning vultures from the brink of extinction<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Vultures have suffered significant pressures in Europe over the last decades that led to the decline and even extinction of populations in several regions. As these birds prove essential for functioning mountainous ecosystems, many initiatives have been implementing targeted conservation actions to restore vulture populations, such as tackling threats<\/a> and reintroducing or restocking efforts<\/a>. Restocking vulture populations involves several techniques, including releasing captive-bred young birds or translocating wild-hatched birds from a more abundant population in one region to a smaller population in another. The VCF has been working with local partners in Austria, Bulgaria, France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland for over 30 years, both leading and supporting reintroduction and restocking initiatives to restore vulture populations across Europe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Need for Griffon Vulture restocking actions in Sardinia<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In Sardinia, the local Griffon Vulture population also suffered dramatic declines, numbering only 30 territorial pairs and 130 individuals in 2013. To secure and boost the last autochthonous breeding population of the species in Italy, the predecessor of LIFE Safe for Vultures,\u00a0LIFE Under Griffon Wings<\/a>, launched in 2015. An important project objective was to enhance the population viability by carrying out an extensive restocking programme to increase the small Griffon Vulture population in Sardinia. For this objective, the VCF secured birds for release and shaped strategies relating to restocking efforts<\/a>, utilising the expertise and partnerships built from years of experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wild vultures coming from Spain the best option for restocking<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Spain is the perfect country to support vulture restocking actions. Thanks to conservation efforts, Griffon Vultures have significantly recovered in numbers in Spain with 30,000 pairs, which allows for wild birds to be transferred to other European countries. Young birds found in distress, suffering from malnutrition and weakness are often recovered to full health in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres. For this project, the Spanish regional autonomous governments\u00a0Junta de Extremadura<\/a>\u00a0donated birds, and with the help of the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres such as Los Hornos and\u00a0AMUS<\/a>\u00a0supporting rehabilitation efforts and technical procedures, the VCF arranged the transport of 67 birds that travelled over 2,000 km by land and ferries to reach Sardinia. Upon arrival, the vultures fall under the care of local partners. They first perform another health check and then transfer them to an acclimatisation aviary where they spent several months adapting to their new home, getting ready for their eventual release into the wild.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Griffon<\/figure>\n\n\n\n