OLD WORLD VULTURE STUDIES David Houston and Jennifer Ward (Oral) Why do Vultures have Bare Heads?
Bare skin areas on the head and neck are a feature of both New and Old World vultures, and are usually assumed to be an adaptation to prevent fouling of
the feathers during feeding. However, they may also play an important role in thermal regulation. We used skins from European Griffon Vultures to measure the rate of heat flow through bare skin areas and feathered
regions of the body. The data were incorporated into a model to consider how changes in posture allow vultures to avoid stress in both hot and cold conditions.
David Houston & Jennifer Ward, Department of Zoology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK. Email: D.Houston@bio.gla.ac.uk Eveline Karl1
, Chris Walzer2 and Roland Prinzinger1 (Oral) Flight Behaviour of the Griffon Vulture in the Northern Alps with ad lib. food provision. The Griffon (Gyps fulvus) is magnificent in flight, whether in a fast glide with wings partly pulled back, or in leisurely circling in a thermal wings
fully outstretched and 'fingering' the up draught. Three Griffon Vultures were equipped with long-term telemetry devices that allowed an intensive investigation of their flight behaviour. Not only wait possible to
determine flight frequencies, flight time and altitude but also to correlate these various behaviours with the individual heart rates and body temperatures. Previous validation of the heart rates in a metabolic chamber
allowed for approximations of the energy costs in flight. In this way we investigated how vultures fly in the northern Alps when they have abundant food available - in this case a feeding station at the Zoo Salzburg. As
feeding demands the highest energy expenditure, actual gliding can be considered an energy saving mode. The average duration of "air time" per day is only 30 minutes. Recorded flight altitudes are up to 2600m
a.s.l. The authors consider it worth a discussion if the establishment of feeding stations has a considerable effect on flight behaviour.
1. Department of Metabolic Physiology, Johann-Wolfgang University, 60323 Frankfurt/Main, Germany 2. Zoo Salzburg, Natur und Artenschutz, 5081 Anif, Austria
Alvaro Camiña1 and Reuven Yosef2 (Oral) Fledgling Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus
are in better Nutritional Condition than free-living Adults: evidence from Ptilochronology Ptilochronology allows us to evaluate the comparative
nutritional status of individuals of different age groups. We collected the central rectrix of 85 Griffon Vultures brought to rehabilitation centres throughout Spain: 63 were juveniles (74% fledglings), 3 sub-adults, 15
adults and 4 adults held captive for more than 10 years. Average growth bar for captive birds was 7.7 + 0.9 mm/day, in free-living adults 5.9 + 1.0 mm/day, in sub-adults 6.8 + 0.5 mm/day, and in fledglings 6.8 + 0.8
mm/day. The average number of stress (aka fault) bars, indicating days of extreme stress and lack of food, per feather was none in captivebirds, 4.5 + 3.7 in adults, none in subadults, and 1.1 + 1.9 in fledglings.
Further analyses showed no relationship between the width of the growth bars and the number of fault bars found on each feather in juveniles, incontrast to adults. Free-living adults had the worst nutritional condition
of all. They attempt to buffer their nestlings from nutritional stress, especially during days of food scarcity. Sub-adults are non reproductive and appear able to allocate greater resources to self-maintenance. The
small sample size prevents us from reaching proper conclusions. The above techniques can be used as a conservation tool to evaluate nutritional condition of Griffons across its‚ breeding range. This will allow to
implement the correct measures to prevent lack of food. 1. Apartado de Correos 339, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
Email: acamia@airtel.net2. International Birding & Research Center in Eilat, P.O.Box 774, Eilat 88000, Israel Mohamed Shobrak (Oral)
Parental investment of the Lappet-faced Vultures Torgos tracheliotus in the breeding at Mahazat as-Sayd protected area in Saudi Arabia
Part of a long monitoring program of the Lappet-faced Vultures in Saudi Arabia, the parental investment in breeding was investigated between 1992-2002. The timing of the breeding season, choice of nest sites, period in
which copulation occurs was investigated. Additionally, data on chick feeding frequency, its food requirements of and the importance of shading the chick from direct sunlight were obtained. During the period of the
study nests were researched in and outside the Mahazat as-Sayd protected area from 1992 -1996 and from 1998-2002. In addition 11 nests were observed throughout the day to determine the time spent incubating by the two
sexes, the length of time spent guarding the chick by the adults, and the length of the post-fledging dependence period. The results showed that the time of laying was between December and January. Also there is
increase in the number of nests found in the reserve from four in 1992 to 37 nests in 2000 and 34 in 2002 which probably is a result of proper protection. The female was present at the nest during incubation more
significantly than the male. Until a chick is 55-60 days old, one adult stays with it on the nest. Out of monitoring the nests after fledging the post-fledging dependence period for the Lappet-faced Vulture is probably
4-5 months. With regard to feeding, the parents made from one to four trips a day to bring food for the chick. The total amount of food the nestling needs from the day it hatches to fledging is approximately 37 kg. The
average time that adults shaded the chick by spanning the wing was 94.42 seconds.
Mohamed Shobrak, National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development, National Wildlife Research Centre, P.O. Box 1086, Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Email:
shobrak@nwrc-sa.org Elif Erdogdu1, C. Can Bilgin2 and Yavuz K¥l¥ç1 (Oral) Nest Siter Selection of the Cinereous Vulture
Aegypius monachus in Northern Turkey and its Implications for Conservation The Cinereous Vulture is a globally threatened raptor with an
estimated population of 100-200 pairs in Turkey. Since the species generally requires mature trees for nesting, suitable sites appear to be limited.We studied nest site preferences at Turkey's largest
colony in the Türkmenbaba Mountains in northwestern Turkey during 2001-2002. Nest tree (height, dbh, species, crown shape) and site (altitude, aspect, slope, distance to road, clearing or human activity) characteristics were recorded for 24-28 pairs. Any preferences for site properties were statistically tested against randomly selected sites. The species invariably nests on
flat-topped Black Pine (Pinus nigra) trees with a height of 10.7±3.4 m. (mean ±SD) and dbh of 133±25 cm. Roads were recorded as close as 20 m to an active nest. Statistical tests revealed a significant preference
for slightly steeper slopes (33±7 vs. 21±11 %) in the middle third of valley sides, and for a relatively narrow belt of altitude (1286±99 m), but not for aspect or distance to clearings, human presence or roads. The
preservation of older, mature trees is essential for the survival of the species and should be incorporated into management plans.
1. Department of Biology, Anadolu University, Eski¥ehir, Turkey Tel: +90-222-3350580 Fax: +90-222-3204910 Email: eerdogdu@anadolu.edu.tr or
aykilic@anadolu.edu.tr2. Department of Biology, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, 06531, Turkey Tel: +90-312-2105017 Fax: +90-312-2101289 Email: cbilgin@metu.edu.tr
Gil Ben-noon1, Orna Eshed1, Lia Court1, Ohad Hatzofe1&2 (Oral) and Ofer Bahat1 Calcium provision to Griffon Vulture
chicks as part of a management scheme implemented in Gamla nature reserve
Gamla nature reserve in the Golan area, northern Israel, holds the biggest Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) colony in the country. However, this colony suffers from a very low reproduction rate. During the last
three decades, cattle became the vultures’ main food source in the area, instead of previously abundant goats and sheep. This caused a chronic shortage in small bones, and subsequently the breeding Griffon Vultures lost
their main source of Calcium. Consequently, their chicks were heavily affected by rickets, while others died after ingesting "bone substitutes" (artifacts) brought to the nests by the parents.A
routine supplement of bone fragments in a local feeding station began in 1998. In addition, in the year 2002, intensive supply of bone fragments began in the Vultures’ foraging areas. As a result, a significant positive
correlation between the intensity of bone provision and the amount of bones found at nests was found. Moreover, a significant negative correlation between the intensity of bone provision and the number of chicks
affected by rickets and artifacts ingestion was also found. Following our experience, we strongly recommend implementation of this management technique in areas where shortage in bone fragments becomes a limiting factor.
1. Gamla Nature Reserve, Israel Nature Reserves and National Parks Authority, P.B. 70, Katzrin, Israel Email: gamla@golan.org.il2. Endangered
Species Management & Conservation, Raptors' Reintroduction Project, Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Division of, Science & Conservation, Israel Nature & Parks Authority, 24 Tabenkin St., Tel
Aviv, 69353 Israel. Email: torgos@inter.net.il Alvaro Camiña (Oral) Management of Feeding Stations in Spain: Consequences of the Mad Cow Disease
The establishment of feeding stations has been considered a useful conservation tool for preserving vulture populations. Since the "mad cow" disease appeared
in Spain (to date 230 cattle affected and increasing) leaving carcasses for vultures was banned. During 2001-2002, the Spanish Government removed around 305,000 carcasses per year from the fields (0.57% of national
Livestock census). Results from the surveillance plan against BSE by removing carcasses has been unequal by regions. Vultures still have enough food.We present feeding station management in a large area of Spain
accounting for 84% of Griffon, 50% of Black, 51% of Egyptian and 100% Bearded Vulture populations. Only La Rioja province has managed a good carcass removal programme that destroyed 48,025 and 31,277 cows in 2001 and
2002 respectively. The Bearded Vulture is the only species which has a well protected/ managed feeding programme. Despite our having protected breeding areas not enough protection of feeding places has been done. The
National Royal Decree approved in November 2002 does not take into account the extensive grazing areas nor the use of ruminant species. Agreement between biologists and veterinarians is urgent and some proposed measures
are impossible to put into practice. Furthermore, no regulation from the European Union has yet been issued. Apartado de Correos 339, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain. Tel: +34.607.737.907 Email: acamia@airtel.net Savvas Iezekiel1, Dimitris E. Bakaloudis2, Christos G. Vlachos3 (Oral)
The Status of the Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus in Cyprus Two species of vulture used to breed in Cyprus, the Cinereous Vulture
(Aegypius monachus) and the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus). The first, once a common resident, was extinct in the island by the end of the 1960s. The second was abundant and occupied the entire island in large
colonies on isolated sea cliffs and rocky areas of Troodos and Pentadactylos mountain ranges.During the last decades (after 1970) the Griffon Vulture population showed a massive decline, as a result of
various factors such as poisoning, food shortage, human persecution, disturbance close to the breeding colonies and drowning. The remaining population numbers 40-45 birds with 9 breeding pairs, and the species is now
considered as critically endangered in Cyprus. A project for the conservation of the Griffon Vulture in Cyprus was initiated in 1993 by the Cyprus Forestry Department. This paper presents the population trends and the
reproductive success, while the measures (a new vulture trap, feeding station, etc.) being taken to protect the species are discussed.
1. Forestry Dpt of Cyprus, Parks and Environment Sector, Louki Akrita 1414 str., Nicosia, Cyprus Email: ezekiel@cytanet.com.cy
2. Forestry Service, Dpt of Forest Management & Protection, Ermou 6, 68400, Soufli, Greece.
3. Dept of Forestry and Natural Environment, Lab of Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, PO Box 241, 54006 Thessaloniki, Greece. Ramon J. Antor (Oral) Evolution of the Non-breeding Fraction of the Pyrenean Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus population The
Pyrenean Bearded Vulture population has been growing steadily over the last decade, nearly doubling the number of breeding pairs. However, several recent high mortality episodes have affected the population growth rate.
These unusual mortalities have been attributed to the illegal use of poisoned baits against carnivores. The current decrease of the growth rates of all the population fractions should be considered the first symptom of
a drastic change in the population trend. The demographic analysis has allowed to reveal a future change in the trend of the breeding fraction, that may lead to a stabilisation or even a decrease in the number of
breeding pairs unless solutions to the main mortality factors are implemented. The contingent of floaters (adults without breeding territories) may have partly buffered the breeding segment against decline until now,
despite the adult mortality rate having been similar to the preadult one. The population size of the preadult fraction has shown itself to be more sensitive to the high mortalities. Despite requiring more complex
techniques for estimating population size, the preadult fraction would be more useful to monitor the occurrence of high mortality episodes. Cesar Augusto 3, 2ºD, 50004-Zaragoza, Spain
Tel: + 34 639 39 41 24 Fax: + 34 639 394124 Email: ramon.antor@terra.es Richard Zink (Oral)
Dispersal & Survival of Bearded Vultures (Gypaetus barbatus) in the Alps - International Monitoring Over the past twenty-five years a
number of scientists have sought to reintroduce Bearded Vultures into the Alps. The present position can now be summarized on an Alps=wide scale, facilitated through implementation of International Bearded Vulture
Monitoring (IBM-Project) by the Nationalpark Hohe Tauern/EGS last year. Since then a single database guarantees homogenous data collection throughout the study area. The project is mainly financed by Nature and National
parks. All alpine observations are analysed as soon as they reach the coordination office via email, with the aim of providing local coordination centres with access to the whole database.The transfer of
data into a Geographical Information System (GIS) for further spatial analyses now enables thousands of observations to be immediately accessed. Dispersal, pair formation and other relevant indices for population growth
can be shown. In addition the GIS offers the possibility of creating maps for monitoring intensity throughout the Alps. Gaps in the monitoring network may be identified¥. With the help of external GIS tools dispersal
routes are simulated, resulting in a better understanding of the spatial dimension of the species depending on age and sex. Nationalpark Hohe Tauern, c/o Ulmenstrasse 23, A-1140 Wien, Austria.
Tel: + 43-664-1306ll7 Email: bartgeier@aon.at Ofer Bahat1, Ohad Hatzofe2 and Bill Woodley3 (Oral) Long-distance (across international borders) Movements of Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus in the Middle East Very little is known
about Griffon Vultures' (GV) movements in the Middle East. In Israel, GV are observed occasionally on known migration routes, but we lacked information on their origin or wintering grounds. 276 GV were marked in Israel
since 1992 with metal and coloured plastic rings: 220 also with conventional VHF transmitters and 10 with PTTs, as part of a conservation project. "Israeli" GV were identified and tracked in Greece and Turkey,
mainly during April-November. GV arrived in Finland to the north and Yemen to the south. Croatian GV were observed in Israel during October. GV tagged with PTTs were suspected to be nesting in Turkey, Jordan &
Israel.The results of tracking and analyzing the GV movements prove the importance of feeding stations and the value of information sharing amongst GV working groups. Israel is a wintering ground of GV
from the Balkans and Turkey and a migration route for juveniles and sub-adult south-eastern European GV. Israel and its neighbouring countries should be considered as one population and foraging area. Any negative
effects in any one of these countries will endangere the GV population in the Middle East, and potentially those of the Balkans, especially during October-June.
1. Porsim Canaf Project, 24 Ha‚oranim St., Zichron Ya‚acov 30900, Israel Email: bahat@shani.net2. Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Division of Science
& Conservation, Israel Nature & Parks Authority, 24 Tabenkin st., Tel Aviv 69353, Israe. Email: torgos@inter.net.il 3. Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, 10 HaTziporin st., Binyamina, 30500, Israel
Email: billwood@netvision.net.il Evelyn Tewes1, Michel Terrasse2, Juan Jose Sanchez Artes1 (Oral) and Wolfgang Fremuth3 Action Plan for the Recovery and Conservation of Vultures on the Balkan Peninsula: Projects 2002-2003 Since 2002, an
“Action Plan for the Recovery and Conservation of Vultures on the Balkan Peninsula and Adjacent Countries” is being developed as a joint effort of national and international NGOs and local governments within Memoranda
of Understanding Framework. It is promoted by the Black Vulture Conservation Foundation (BVCF), the Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture (FCBV) and the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS), with the
support of LPO/FIR, BirdLife International and RSPB.The projects are financed mainly by FZS/BVCF and include research (status, threats, conservation situation), conservation actions (increasing natural food
availability, creation of feeding places, habitat conservation, activities against the use of poison, education, restocking and reintroduction) and coordination/cooperation events (workshops, seminars, public
participation, Balkan Vulture web site) for the four vulture species in Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia and the Ukraine, while further countries will be included. Initiated in 2002, in
2003, 28 different local NGOs and governmental institutions are involved . First results are encouraging, so that with this common effort, the recovery of the vultures and their habitats in South Eastern Europe may be
achieved in the long-term. 1. Black Vulture Conservation Foundation, (BVCF), Finca Son Pons s/n, Ctra. Palma Alcudia km 38,200, 07310 Campanet, Mallorca, Spain. Email: evelyn.tewes@bvcf.org2. BVCF, FCBF, LPO/FIR) Fr-75519 Paris-Cedex, 15, France Email: terrassem@club-internet.fr
3. Frankfurt Zoological Society, FZS) Alfred-Brehm-Platz 16, D-60316 Frankfurt/Main, Germany Email: fremuth@zgf.de Yael Choresh1, Omer Yaffe2, Nir Becker3
, Moshe Inbar4, (Oral) Gil Ben-Njoon5 and Ofer Bahat6 Estimating the Economic Value of Viewing Vultures: a TCM study at Gamla Nature Reserve
The proper valuation of non-market environmental commodities such as viewing wildlife has significant policy implications. We implemented the
Travel Cost Method (TCM) to estimate the value of vultures to the public. The study was carried out at Gamla Natural Reserve in northern Israel. We used the zonal TCM, where concentric zones were defined around the site
such that the cost of travel from all points in a given zone was approximately constant. We fitted a curve to all the points of origin to generate the visits-distance function from which a measure of monetary benefit
could be obtained. Based on 150 questionnaires (January-June 2002), we estimated the potential annual benefit of Gamla to be ISH 5.5-6 million, which is $1.1–1.2 million (depending on the model). The annual economic
value of Gamla to the visiting public is approximately five times higher than the current revenue. Most of the visitors to Gamla (85%) came to view vultures. This information can be used to estimate the benefits of
further investment in Gamla Natural Reserve, to price this site according to demand if there are budget limits and especially to invest towards the protection of vultures and other endangered species there.
1. Department of Natural resources and Environmental Management, Haifa University, Haifa 31905, Israel.
Tel: 04-9998605 Email: yaelch1@bezeqint.net2. Department of Economics and Management, Tel-Hai College, Upper Galilee, 12210 Israel Email: Omeryaffe@yahoo.com3. Nir Becker, Natural Resources and Environmental Research Center, University of Haifa, Haifa, 31905, Israel Tel: 04-8240083 Email:
nbecker@econ.haifa.ac.il4. Department of Biology, Oranim, University of Haifa, Haifa, 31905, Israel 04-9838897. Email: minbar@research.haifa.ac.il
5. Gamla Nature Reserve, Israel Nature Reserves and Parks Authority, P.O. Box 70, Katzrin, 12900, Israel. Email: Gamla@golan.org 6. Scientific Director – Birds of Prey Research and Conservation Project,
Israel Nature Reserves and Parks Authority and The Society for Protection of Nature in Israel 24 Haoranim St., Zichron-Yaakov, 30900, Israel. Tel: 04 6293186 Email: bahat@shani.net Michel Bellaïche1, Evgenija Ershov1, Vera Handji1, (Poster) Alan Shlosberg1
and Igal Horowitz2 Evaluation of normal Cholesterase Levels in Whole Blood of Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus Poisoning of birds by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (organophosphates and carbamates insecticides) are frequently reported worldwide. Improper use, abuse or error in use of
these toxicants, as well as secondary intoxications, can lead to ecological disasters due to the ability of these substances to kill a large number of birds in a short period. In birds, these anticholinesterase
toxicants cause clinical signs that are not pathognomonic as they are in mammals. These signs may resemble those of sick birds from other causes. For differential diagnosis and for administration of the correct
treatment, it is essential to measure cholinesterase blood levels, which decrease in cases of intoxication. Rapid diagnosis and the correct antidote can save intoxicated birds.
During the last four years, we have analyzed blood samples of 81 Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) for cholinesterase levels in order to establish a database of normal values of this enzyme in whole blood. The blood
samples were analyzed by the Michel technique and the average was found to be delta pH of 0.12 with a standard deviation of 0.058. These normal values are lower than those recorded in many other raptor species, which
were also evaluated during these four years. This database enables us to interpret if a vulture is intoxicated and to follow its convalescence during its treatment.
1. Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O.Box 12, 50250 Bet Dagan, Israel Tel: 972-52-315161 Fax: 972-3-9681730 Email: michelb@moag.gov.il
2. Zoological Center Tel Aviv-Ramat Gan (Safari), Israel Tel: 972-54-650000 Fax: 972-3-6314774 Email: igal@safari.co.il Igal Horowitz1, Avishai Lublin
2, Manfred Green3 (Poster) and Annette Sobel4 Normal Flora of the Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus An unknown disease that causes renal failure has extirpated populations of at least three species of Gyps
vultures in the Indian subcontinent by as much as 95% since 1995. This unprecedented phenomenon has placed Asian Gyps
vultures on the critically endangered species list. The goal of this study is to obtain a better understanding of the normal flora of the Griffon Vultures because good medical diagnosis demands a thorough understanding of the normal flora of the species concerned.
Since 2002 as a part of another research project (Migratory birds as disease vectors and bio indicators for environmental pollution) concerning migratory as well as local species in Israel we sampled 50
Griffon Vultures: 25 sick birds were brought to the "Wildlife Hospital" in the Zoological Center Tel Aviv- Ramat Gan for medical treatment, and 25 "healthy" vultures were sampled in the wild. Cloacal
and tracheal swabs were sampled for bacteriology, virology and mycology, including Chlamydia psittaci, and blood was sampled for chemistry and blood parasites. Results from the wild population were compared with
those brought for medical treatment. Both were compared to the normal values from 205 other birds of different species. 1. Zoological Center Tel Aviv-Ramat Gan (Safari), Israel Tel: 972-54-650000 Fax: 972-3-6314774 Email: igal@safari.co.il2. Sara Mechani, Caroline Banet-Noach, Division of Avian & Fish Diseases, Kimron Veterinary Institute
P.O.Box 12, Bet Dagan 50250 Israel 3. Israel Center Control, Gertner Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel 4. University of New-Mexico, U.S.A.
Evelyn Tewes, Juan Jose Sanchez Artes and Pilar Ramirez (Poster) Status and Conservation of the European Black Vulture Aegypius monachus in Europe Since 1984, when the European population was estimated at less than 300 pairs, a spectacular recovery has taken place in Spain where 1334 breeding pairs were registered in
2001. In most of the countries within its historical distribution range, the Black Vulture is extinct. Only one colony is left in the Balkans and there are some in partially endangered colonies still in the Caucasus.
The total European population is now estimated at about 1450 pairs. The main reason for the recovery in Spain was the was the prohibition of the use of poison as well as protection of most breeding areas.
The Black Vulture Conservation Foundation (BVCF) has been working since 1986 to re-establish a continuous population in the species' former European distribution area, by connecting the separate populations of Spain in
the west and the Balkans in the east. Conservation of existing colonies is supported and re-stocking or reintroductions are carried out where the
reasons for the earlier decline no longer exist. BVCF conservation efforts include a captive breeding project, restocking of the nearly extinct population in Mallorca, reintroduction in France and an Action Plan for the
Balkan Peninsula. Activities by more and more local and international organizations are contributing to the conservation of the species in Europe.
Black Vulture Conservation Foundation, (BVCF), Finca Son Pons s/n, Ctra. Palma Alcudia km 38,200, 07310 Campanet, Mallorca, Spain
Emails: evelyn.tewes@bvcf.org jjsanchez@bvcf.org pilar.ramirez@bvcf.org |
