Reintroduction specialists have valued the collaboration between Cazorla (Alps) and the International Bearded Vulture Congress, which is taking place this weekend in Cazorla.
150 international experts will exchange their experiences at the annual bearded vulture meeting in Cazorla, this weekend.
Franziska Lorcher (scientific and conservationist coordinator for the Vulture Conservation Foundation) highlighted the value of “the joint effort by both areas in reintroductions of the species. This project has exceeded thirty-five pairs within the area of Alps as well as both at Guadalentin Breeding Center, Cazorla>>.” She highlighted the “important population” that is being produced by the Pyrenees, with both species controlled by the centers. In addition, data about populations in Turkey are beginning to be collected, something not published until now.
Michel Terrase, an expert who has worked for 35 years to restore the past and return these majestic birds to their natural habitats, said that “since 1960s, a lot has been done in cooperation with Navarra, France in the French Alps to reintroduce the griffon vulture. Now we are collaborating in Andalusia with the bearded vulture to achieve the same goals>>.
Jose Tavares is the director of Vulture Conservation Foundation. He has appreciated the Junta de Andalucia’s commitment to the reintroduction and stabilization of the bearded valerian for over twenty years. This aims at achieving an autonomous, stable population of the species through the release or hacking of young specimens from the country breeding system. He explained that the project was a model at European level for conservation of the species. It has been producing results for many years, and hopes to surpass the number of breeding pairs this season.
REINTRODUCTION PROGRAM
The Bearded Vulture Reintroduction Program includes some individuals from the Cazorla Captive Breeding Center, (Jaen), which was established by the Ministry of the Environment and Territory Planning and managed by the Gypateus Foundation in 1996 to establish a long-term viable and independent population.
The European Endangered Species Program is attached to this center. Each year, part of the chickens kept in captivity are used for the Reintroduction Projects. These projects are carried out in Andalusia as well as other parts of Europe.
Like other endangered species, the bearded vulture is an important resource for tourism that focuses on bird watching. Its recovery will result in increased economic activity in rural areas of great potential, which favors socioeconomic development.
It is now certain that there are approximately 40 bearded Vultures in Andalusia, thanks to recent observations and individual identifications made by technicians from the reintroduction program or their satellite transmitters.
