259 Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, 19 (2) 2013, 259–261 Agricultural Academy
PRESENT DISTRIBUTION AND CONSERVATION SPECIFICS OF THE EGYPTIAN VULTURE (NEOPHRON PERCNOPTERUS LINNAEUS, 1758) IN SOUTHWEST BULGARIA E. STOYNOV1*, A. GROZDANOV2, H. PESHEV1 and D. PESHEV2 1 Fund for Wild Flora and Fauna, BG – 2700 Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria 2 Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Faculty of Biology, BG – 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
Abstract STOYNOV, E., A. GROZDANOV, H. PESHEV and D. PESHEV, 2013. Present distribution and conservation specifics of the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus Linnaeus, 1758) in Southwest Bulgaria. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., Supplement 2, 19: 259–261 The present research concentrates on the actual status of the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) in Southwest Bulgaria and the factors for the species critical decrease in the last decade. Information for the extinction of the last breeding pair in the region was included. The last successful breeding was documented in 2003. The research also covered observations during migration period and observations of non-breeding individuals. Conservation specifics for the species were presented in relation with the Griffon vulture reintroduction activities in the area. As a result of the regular artificial feeding, one immature individual was attracted and observed in Kresna gorge for a period of two months. The regular observations of the bird present the first success of species recent conservation, after the loss of all breeding pairs in the region. Supplemental feeding was also identified as a positive measure applied for the breeding pair in 2003. Two chicks were fledged successfully in the same year. Recommendations for future conservation activities were made. Key words: Egyptian vulture, Neophron percnopterus, distribution, conservation
Introduction The Egyptian vulture is widely distributed in Bulgaria during the 19th и the 20th Century (Iankov, 2007). Breeding pairs were reported from Stara Planina Mountains, Western and Eastern Rhodopes, Danube river coast, Sofia region, etc. (Hristovich, 1890; Michev, 1968). From 1960, the population started a continuous declining due to a complex of negative factors – decline of livestock, poaching and most importantly the use of poison baits against large terrestrial predators (Spiridonov, 1977). Many of the traditional breeding pairs were lost and around 1980 the species remained as breeder mostly in Eastern Rhodopes, Eastern and parts of Western Stara Planina Mountains and Lomovete (Michev, 1985). In the researched area, a single pair was observed regularly in the area of Ilindenci village, Southern Pirin Mountain. *E-mail:
[email protected]
The species vast declining in global aspect was the reason for its categorization from “least concern” in 2004 to “endangered” in 2008 in the IUCN red list (IUCN, 2012). The species unfavorable status was targeted from different conservation projects, including the activities for reintroduction of Griffon vulture used as a tool for supporting the Egyptian vulture (Stoynov and Grozdanov, 2010).
Materials and Methods Field observations were held in the researched region from the year 2000. From 2009 an artificial feeding site for vultures were made in the area of Rakitna village and the observations there became intensive – at least two per week. We used transect and point methods to investigate the presence of birds and specifics in their behavior. Observations were made with binoculars Nikon 10x50, Minox 8x42 and
260 spotting scopes Nikon 25x60, 25-40x60 and captured on photos and videos with cameras Canon 400D,600D and 7D, equipped with zoom lenses Canon EF-S 300, EF-L 100 – 400 and EF-L 400 mm. Researches were held within the whole area of Kresna gorge, but concentrated in the former breeding area of the species near Ilindentsi village and around the feeding site near Rakitna village. Additional observations were made in other areas with similar conservation activities for reintroduction of vultures in Eastern Stara Planina and Eastern Rhodopes Mountains.
Results and Discussion The Egyptian vulture was rarely observed in the researched area during the last decade. Collected information was classified in three categories: breeding season, migration and wandering of non – breeding birds. Breeding season: During field researches, numerous observations concerning species breeding biology were gathered and used for planning and implementing of conservation activities. On 17.04.2003 a pair of adult Egyptian vultures was observed with nest building materials and in display flights near the village of Ilindentsi. Egg lying was detected on 05.05.2003. In order to support the pair successful breeding, more then 20 artificial feedings were organized during the breeding season by providing different carcasses. Two young birds were raised from the pair and observed in the nest until 18.08.2003. On 12.09.2003 was registered last observation of one adult bird in the area for the present season. On 07.05.2004 a male bird carrying food in flight was observed near Ilindentsi village. During all following artificial feedings, no other birds were seen. At the same period, some cases of poisoning were documented in the area and we continued the artificial feedings around the former nest site as a preventive measure. During spring of 2005, seven observations were made during artificial feedings. The traditional nest was unoccupied and we had suspected nesting site relocation. No additional observations of birds were documented since June. In 2006, we concentrated efforts in artificial feedings in different areas in SW Bulgaria, potentially suitable for the Egyptian vulture. Food was provided to Ilindentsi feeding site about 17 times, 5 on other sites in south and 6 in different parts of Rila mountains. First observation of a single bird was made on 01.06 near the traditional nest. The vulture visited the feedings again and demonstrated nesting behavior in the rock niche, but no other bird was observed. The last
E. Stoynov, A. Grozdanov, H. Peshev and D. Peshev observation for the year was made on 19 July. We received information from local people for two adult birds in adjacent areas, but our researches did not confirm it. Historical nesting sites were visited and additional observations were made in the area of Sidirokastron, Northern Greece, but with no success. In 2007, only one observation of Egyptian vulture was made near the traditional nesting site in May. No other confirmed records were made in the former breeding area during the following years. Migration A single observation of Egyptian vulture flying north over Kresna gorge was made in May 2010. After the collapse of breeding populations in the northern territories, we
Fig. 1. Immature Egyptian vulture observed on 28.04.2012 over the feeding site near Rakitna village
Present Distribution and Conservation Specifics of the Egyptian Vulture... assume that the observations during migration are constantly decreasing in the researched area. Wandering: After a long period of scarce or unconfirmed observations, on 28.04.2012 we observed an immature Egyptian vulture over the artificial feeding site near Rakitna village. The bird was documented to feed frequently on the site until 21.07.2012. The numerous observations in the area were accepted as a success of the intensive artificial feeding activities linked with the reintroduction of the Griffon vulture in Kresna gorge. Similar results were achieved in Eastern Stara Planina Mountains, where Egyptian vultures were observed after a long period of missing. For the period 2003-2012 there are occasional unpublished observations of single immature birds from different observers from SW Bulgaria in Dupnitsa, Blagoevgrad and Razlog districts (Figure 1).
Conclusion The Egyptian vultures were rarely observed n the area of our work. In the last decade, only one breeding pair was confirmed, but extinct after 2003. Extremely rare during migration period, the species was more constantly observed only around the artificial feeding sites. Following the species history in the researched region, we can conclude, that several conservation activities should be continuously implemented:
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Active campaigns against using of poison baits for terrestrial predators. Continuous artificial feeding on different site to ensure the breeding success and to minimize the risk of feeding with poison baits. Intensive monitoring activities and enlargement of the researched area. Active work with the local community and building a positive attitude to nature conservation and vultures in particular.
References Hristovich, G., 1890. Materials for Studying the Bulgarian Fauna. In: Collection of Folklore, 2: 185–225 (Bg). Michev, T., 1968. On the distribution and breeding biology of the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) in Bulgaria. Bul. Inst. Zool. and Museum – BAS, 27: 65–79 (Bg). Michev, T. and Simeonov, 1985. Changes in Bird Fauna of Bulgaria over the Last 35 Years (1950 – 1984). In: International Symposium “Protection of Natural Areas and the Genetic Fund They Contain”, Project 8-MAB of UNESCO. Blagoevgrad, Collection of Works, V2, BAS, pp. 203–216 (Bg). Spiridonov, G., 1977. Oases of the Wild Nature. Sofia, Zemizdat, pp. 191 (Bg). Stoynov, E. and A. Grozdanov, 2010. Re-introduction of Griffon vultures and consequent return of Egyptian vultures in the Kotel Mountains, Bulgaria. In: Global Re-introduction Perspectives: 2010, IUCN – RSG: 147–150. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species ver. 2012.2 www.iucnredlist.org
