{"id":26455,"date":"2023-01-09T17:26:51","date_gmt":"2023-01-09T15:26:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/?p=26455"},"modified":"2025-05-05T15:46:53","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T12:46:53","slug":"two-captive-bred-griffon-vultures-from-holland-released-in-sardinia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/pt\/blog\/two-captive-bred-griffon-vultures-from-holland-released-in-sardinia\/","title":{"rendered":"Two captive-bred Griffon Vultures from Holland released in Sardinia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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One of the Griffon Vultures released in Sardinia \u00a9 Mauro Sanna<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Two Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus<\/em>) raised in captivity in Holland were recently released in Sardinia, within the LIFE Safe for Vultures project<\/a>, as an effort to expand the breeding population in the north-western area of the island. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Releasing the vultures into the wild<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Hatched at\u00a0ARTIS, Amsterdam\u2019s Royal Zoo,<\/a>\u00a0the two Griffon Vultures, both females, were transferred to Sardinia in March 2022, at the age of one year and a half. In Sardinia,\u00a0Forestas<\/a>\u00a0(Regional Agency for Forests) received the young vultures at the Bonassai Wildlife Breeding and Recovery Centre. There, they conducted preventive health checks to rule out transmissible diseases such as Avian influenza, Newcastle and West Nile Disease and to verify their suitability for subsequent release. After the usual quarantine and checks by Forestas\u2019 veterinary staff, the young birds were transferred to the acclimatization facilities at Monte Minerva (Villanova Monteleone) for acclimatization, where they spent some months adapting to the Mediterranean climate. The female vultures were released in December 2022 and joined the flock of Griffon Vultures that realized the buzz and were ‘curiously’ circling over the Bonassai facilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Acclimatization facilities and release of two Griffon Vultures in Sardinia \u00a9 Mauro Sanna <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Restocking the population of griffon vultures in Sardinia <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Until the beginning of the 20th century, three species of vultures could be seen gliding through Sardinian skies \u2013 the Bearded, Cinereous and Griffon Vulture. Unfortunately, several threats led to the extinction of the first two species. The Griffon Vulture was the only one able to thrive in the island, although its population dramatically declined. The Sardinian population has a very important genetic value as it is the only natural colony remaining in Italy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After various restocking efforts and conservation actions, with\u00a0LIFE Under Griffon Wings<\/a>\u00a0that preceded the current\u00a0LIFE Safe for Vultures project<\/a>, the Griffon Vulture population has increased from 23 pairs and 70-100 birds in the 2000s to 57 pairs and 250 birds in 2020. The numbers\u00a0now account for 316-338 individuals<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The importance of feeding stations <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

As Griffon Vultures reach their reproductive maturity between their 5th and 6th year, ensuring a high survival rate in their first years is pivotal. Only then, they will form territorial pairs capable of reinforcing and expanding the Sardinian range occupied by this species. To increase the success of the restocking efforts and allow demographic recovery, feeding stations play a fundamental role. Forestas is responsible for the maintenance of two feeding stations in Sardinia (Monte Minerva and Porto Conte).\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 2016, over 80 Griffon Vultures coming from Spanish recovery centres, various Zoos and the natural colony of North West Sardinia, received sanitary care and were fed by Forestas\u2019 technical staff, in their three main facilities. Most of the vultures released have perfectly integrated into the natural population and represent a significant percentage of the juvenile component of this small population. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to the conservation efforts and the commitment of all partners, the locally-threatened Griffon Vulture population is making a recovery, and it is once again being observed in areas from which it had been absent for decades. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch the short film (in Italian and some parts in English) about the two captive-bred vultures that are now flying freely in Sardinia<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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