The vulture

Historically, Vultures were present in all the mountain ranges of France. Today, they are among the most endangered species in Europe. Due to poaching, the French population almost disappeared, only the Pyrenees were still home to griffon vultures.

Many reintroduction programs have been implemented in France since the 1980s (Cévennes National Park, Luberon and Vercors Regional Natural Parks, etc.) to consolidate the population of this bird in France. Currently, there are about 593 couples in France, a number that increases every year.

But it took time to rebuild the populations, which is why in some areas, locals consider vultures as “invasive” species because for several generations these raptors were no longer present in the territory.

Identifiable thanks to its ash-brown plumage and white collar, its large wings make it one of the largest raptors with a wingspan of up to 2.80 m. It weighs between 8 and 11 kg and its body can measure up to 1 m.

It is a necrophagous bird, it feeds exclusively on the tender parts of the corpses of wild (chamois, deer, etc.) and domestic (sheep, goats, etc.) mammals. Longevity: more than 30 years. Griffon Vulture pairs form for life and live in colonies in rocky cliffs. The female lays a maximum of one egg per year.

In order to stabilize the population, collaborations are set up between breeders and the LPO (League for the Protection of Birds). Dead sheep are collected and placed on “plots” to feed the Vultures. This practice has a double utility, it allows to bring a supplement of food to the birds and in return, it allows the breeders not to contaminate the herd when the ewe is dead of disease or not to call upon the rendering services. (which are not always nearby).