© Hansruedi Weyrich
Initiative period | August 2014 to December 2018 |
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Initiative area | French Alps |
Target species | Bearded Vulture |
With funding from the European Union’s LIFE+ programme, we’ve been working alongside the LIFE GypHelp partners for four and a half years, to evaluate and tackle threats, and monitor the species population.
Collision with energy infrastructure or ski lifts has been identified as one important mortality cause for the species in the Alps as several Bearded died after colliding with cables over the past years. The LIFE GypHelp project mitigated this threat by placing anti-collision markers across many kilometres of high voltage lines, ski lifts and other ski station infrastructure to help prevent collisions.
The project evaluated the real risks of deliberate and accidental poisoning to Bearded Vultures as well as lead poisoning, and also assessed existing approaches to deal with those risks. The results of this analysis enabled the creation of a coordinated plan of action to confront the issue of poisoning.
Disturbance during the breeding period can have adverse consequences, from the chick falling from the nest to the abandonment of the brood or even a permanent departure from the nesting site. To tackle this threat, the LIFE-GypHelp collaborated with several organisations to raise awareness among key stakeholders and minimise disturbance on Natura 2000 sites where the Bearded Vulture has breeding sites.
The Project was led by Asters (Conservatoire d’Espaces Naturels de Haute-Savoie) and had as partners Parc national de la Vanoise, Parc national du Mercantour, Observatoire des Galliformes de Montagnes and the Vulture Conservation Foundation.