Spatial ecology of non-breeding Eurasian Griffon Vultures<i>Gyps fulvus</i>in relation to natural and artificial food availability
Fulvio Genero, Massimo Franchini, Yannick Fanin, Stefano Filacorda
Abstract
Capsule: The movements and spatial ecology of non-breeding Eurasian Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus \nin northern Italy, Croatia and Austria do not seem to be affected by feeding station use. \nAims: The purpose of this study was to assess how the creation of a feeding station at the Riserva \nNaturale Regionale del Lago di Cornino (Forgaria nel Friuli, northeast Italy) during the 1980s might \nhave affected the spatial and behavioural ecology of the Eurasian Griffon Vulture. \nMethods: Using global positioning system (GPS) satellite tracking, we studied movements of nine \nnon-breeding Eurasian Griffon Vultures within the Riserva Naturale Regionale del Lago di Cornino in \nItaly, the Hohe Tauern in Austria and the Kvarner Gulf in Croatia. \nResults: Both the average foraging range size and the time spent by the birds in Italy were \ncomparable to those recorded in Croatia and Austria, where the vultures depend on \nunpredictable food resources. A significant difference in terms of foraging range size was \nrecorded among seasons. In winter it seems to be smaller as a consequence of reduced \nmovements performed by the individuals due to harsh climate conditions. \nConclusions: Our results suggest that the creation of a feeding station in Forgaria does not seem to \nhave affected the spatial ecology of the Eurasian Griffon Vulture. However, due to the limited \nsample size and the young age of the individuals monitored, which have a long dispersal period, \nthe findings presented should be considered as preliminary. Further research needs to be \nimplemented to inform decisions regarding the management of supplementary feeding stations \nto promote the recovery and conservation of scavenger species, particularly in areas in which \nthey have declined massively.