Bearded Vulture Reintroduction into the Alps Annual Report 2004 Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture Frankfurt Zoological Society

Transcription

1 Bearded Vulture Reintroduction into the Alps Annual Report 2004 Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture Frankfurt Zoological Society

2 LIFE-Nature Project Nr.: 03NAT/F/ Program for the Bearded Vulture in the Alps University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

3 BG 444, Toto (right) and BG 436 in the VBU Photo: KARL HOFBAUER-HÖFER, AUSTRIA FOREWORD What twenty years ago still seemed a remote goal is to day a reality. In 2004 over a hundred Bearded Vultures are populating the Alps while five young successfully hatched in the wild and the trend is upwards. In this year also the newly developed strategy for the future was presented at FCBV s Annual Information Meeting in Haute Savoie. In future, efforts will be directed at linking the now present Alpine population with the autochthonous ones of the Pyrenees and Corsica to finally arrive at a homogeneous population in Western Europe. In 2005, it will be thirty years that I attended in Vienna my first meeting on the possibility of reintroducing the Bearded Vulture into the Alps starting from captive breeding. At the decisive conference in Morges in 1978, of which I had the honour to be the organizer, the preceding French-Swiss initiative was joined with the Austrian one, thus forming the basis for an undertaking encompassing the entire Alpine chain. This new project in turn received the solid support of numerous Zoological Gardens in Europe. In the years that followed I had the pleasure to preside over countless Board meetings, Annual Information Meetings and other manifestations characterized by their great diversity of nationalities, interests and outlooks, and yet united by the common goal. This goal now having been achieved I feel that the time has come to hand over, and in the autumn of 2005 the Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture will have a new President who, if chosen as my successor, may well have been the youngest participant in the Morges Conference of I, personnally, shall take leave of FCBV s Board with the gratifying sentiment of "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED". Dr. MAARTEN BIJLEVELD VAN LEXMOND President of the Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture

4 2 Contents 2004 Foreword 1 Breeding Network Reproduction in Transfers - Increases - Deaths in EEP stock in Reproduction between 1978 and Age distribution in Release Report on Releases in Report on the release in the Hohe Tauern National Park, Kals Report on the release at the Haute Savoie site in Release in Martell Valley, Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio in Release in the Argentera-Mercantour site in 2004, and observations from the Argentera Nature Park 31 Wing marks and ring colours from Monitoring Bearded Vulture Monitoring in Engadine, Switzerland in Satellite tracking of Bearded Vultures - the project Bearded Vulture on the move 52 Hohe Tauern National Park - Breeding in the wild Austrian Bearded Vulture Monitoring Status of the Bearded Vulture in Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio in Evolution of the territorial pairs in the Western Italian Alps 62 Actual situation of Territorial Bearded Vulture pairs identified in the Alps of Haute Savoie (F) and their conservation 63 International Bearded Vulture Monitoring (IBM) in Supplement to 2003: An observation of one Bearded Vulture in The Netherlands 68 Autochthonous Populations Bearded Vulture in the French Pyrenees - Results of the monitoring of The Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) population in the Spanish Pyrenees in Conservation of the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) in Corsica: monitoring Evaluation of the extinction risk and of conservation alternatives for a very small insular population: the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus in Corsica 75 Comments to the article: "Evaluation of the extinction risk and conservation alternatives for a very small insular population: the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus in Corsica 75 Looking for Birds of Prey on Crete November 2004 (A privatly undertaken research) 78 Miscellaneous Feasibility Study on the Reintroduction of the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) in Sardinia 80 Bearded Vulture reintroduction project in Andalucia: results at the Breeding Centre Guadalentín 105 The Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) reintroduction project in Andalusia 110 Phylogeography, genetic structure and diversity in the endangered Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus, L.) as revealed by mitochondrial DNA 112 Annual Report of the Breeding Centre Natur- und Tierpark Goldau, Switzerland, Ecological requirements of reintroduced species and the implications for release policy: the case of the bearded vulture 114 Remarks of the editors on Ecological requirements of reintroduced species etc. 114 Status and conservation of the Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis in Lesotho 115 Soaring to Extincton: The population status of the Bearded Vulture, Gypaetus barbatus meridionalis, in southern Africa 120 The FCBV Annual Meeting 124 Flute sounds, coming from a Bearded Vulture bone 125 Editorial 126

5 2004 Breeding Network 3 Reproduction in 2004 by Hans Frey * The Vienna Breeding Unit In this breeding season, six pairs produced a clutch: BG 009 x BG produced two eggs (14th and 19th/20th of December). The single egg of BG 014 x BG was laid on the 13th od December. BG x BG 178 had three eggs laid on the 19th/20th of December, on 26th of December and on 5th/6th of January. The first egg was abandoned in the morning of 25th of December, the other two died during incubation. The pair BG x BG produced two eggs (30th of December and 4th of January) which died during incubation. BG 199 x BG laid one egg on 4th of January, which hatched on 4th of March (BG ). BG x BG had produced two eggs (19th/20th and 25th of December). The first hatched in the nest on 11th of February (BG ). The second was transferred to an incubator where it hatched on the 17h of February (BG ). Because of the installation of VIDEO EQUIPMENT in each single Bearded Vulture facility, a variety of interesting observations could be made: Remarks on pair BG 009 x BG 006. We were lucky to observe egglaying on 14th of December Prior to incubation, female BG 006 rolled the egg approx. 25cm to one side and started to brood only 20 minutes later. Both eggs incubated by the pair and exchanged against dummy eggs on 4th of February. The bigger egg had died during incubation, the second was transferred to an incubator. Both birds continued brooding on the dummy eggs. The second egg did not hatch so it was opened in the evening of 13th of February. The embryo had died before pecking the shell. On the 22nd of February, the pair received BG for rearing. The adoption took place without any difficulties and the nestling developed well. Remarks on pair BG 014 x BG The pair cancelled brooding on the 7th/8th of March and did not react to offered eggs. On 13th of March, again two eggs were put into their nest, one of which was warmed by the male, the second was thrown out. On 16th of March, BG was transferred from Prague Zoo to the VBU, where it was put into the nest of BG 014 x BG 133. The pair immediately started to take care of this young bird and reared it without any problems until 7th of April when this bigger nestling was exchanged against BG Also this bird was adopted and raised without problems. Remarks on pair BG x BG 178. The first egg was abandoned on 25th of December. In the morning of 27th of December, BG 105 stayed in the nest but the second egg was deposed at the edge of the nest! BG 105 toughed the egg twice with his bill but started to incubate in the empty trough. The still warm and unharmed egg was removed and transferred to MALE PAIR BG 204 X BG 065. They continued brooding on the dummy egg and the egg of BG 105 x BG 178. BG 178 returned to the empty nest and started to trough. On 8th of January the third egg rolled out of the nest! In the afternoon it was transferred to the nest of pair BG 014 x BG 133. On 4th of February female BG 178 was rather active working at the nest (troughing etc.). Remarks on pair BG x BG Both eggs removed on the 20th of February: both embryos had died during incubation! Two dummy eggs were put into the nest, one of which was thrown out by the female but the second one was warmed. On the next day both dummy eggs were in the nest and warmed by the pair. * Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Wien, Austria. Hans.Frey@vu-wien.ac.at

6 4 Breeding Network 2004 Table 1: Breeding pairs in 2004 AUSTRIA Alpenzoo Innsbruck Tiergarten Schönbrunn BG 019 x BG 021 1st: 11th Jan broken 2nd:16th Jan broken 3rd: 23rd Feb embryo died 4th:28th Feb embryo died BG 201 x BG st: 31st Dec embryo died Vienna Breeding Unit BG 014 x BG st: 13th Jan broken BG 009 x BG st: 14th Dec 2nd:19/20th Dec died embryo died BG 199 x BG st: 4th Jan 2nd:9th Jan broken 4th Mar BG x BG st: 30th Dec 2nd:4th Jan embryo died embryo died FRANCE Breeding Centre Haute Savoie BG 054 x BG 087 GERMANY Hannover Zoo Nuremberg Zoo Wuppertal Zoo KAZAKHSTAN Almaty Zoo BG x BG 178 1st: 19/20th Dec broken 2nd: 26th Dec embryo died 3rd: 5th/6th Jan embryo died BG x BG st:19/20th Dec 11th Feb 2nd:25th Dec 17th Feb 2nd Jan BG x BG st: 20st Jan 15th Mar 2nd:03rd Feb 30th Mar BG x BG st: 27th Dec broken 2nd:02nd Feb broken BG x BG st:31st Dec broken 2nd:05th Jan infertile BG x BG st:? infertile or 2nd:? embryo died SPAIN Centro de Cría Guadalentín BG x BG st: 24th Dec infertile 2nd:30th Dec infertile 3rd: 07th Jan 29th Feb BG 286 x BG 153 1st: 15th Dec embryo died 2nd:22nd Dec 14th Feb

7 2004 Breeding Network 5 SWITZERLAND Breeding Centre Goldau/Rigi BG x BG th Feb 04th Apr BG x BG st: 05th Jan 2nd:04th Jan broken 29th Feb La Garenne BG 034 x BG th Jan 28th Feb Bern Zoo BG x BG th Jan broken TS-REPUBLIC Prague Zoo Liberec Zoo BG 134 x BG th Jan 04th Mar BG x BG 274 1st: 25th Dec 18th Feb 2nd:01st Jan 23rd Feb Remarks on pair BG 199 x BG The two infertile eggs of BG 017 x BG 070 were put into their nest for incubation on the 20th of February, whereas their own clutch was removed: the single egg of this pair proved to be fertile and developed and was transferred to an incubator for hatching where it was examined and detected that it was the second egg. Maybe the first egg was destroyed when the second egg was laid. The nestling BG hatched in the incubator on 4th of March, being a very active little bird. The pair cancelled brooding on the 7th/8th of March and did not react to offered eggs. Two days later their own nestling BG 440 was returned to the pair, although they had cancelled incubation. The male approached the nestling short time afterwards, seemed to be a little bit insecure but with a friendly attitude. He toughed the nestling gently and moved his bill. The female approached the nest a little time later and also seemed to be a little at a loss and inecure. After 40 minutes, the female started to warm the offspring. From then on both birds took care very well without any disordered behaviour. Remarks on pair BG x BG During hatching of the first offspring (BG ) on 11th of Febuary one half of the egg shell was put over the second egg! This egg was removed, the shell dislodged and the egg transferred to an incubator where it hatched on the 17th of February (BG ). BG 433 was well raised by its parents and a rather active and agile nestling until 16th of February when it started to feed rather poorly. A strand of wool was winding around one wing and the bill and one eye was clotty with the fur of a rabbit. After cleaning the nestling again started to beg and feed and from this day on it developed rather well. Remarks on pair BG 031 x BG 003. On 31st of January the pair received two dummy eggs, which the male started to brood until 6th of April, when BG was transferred into his nest. The male immediately started to take care for the nestling, the old female BG 003 behaved rather uninterested. When the male left the young on the next day for feeding the female did not take on. So it was removed and exchanged against the older and bigger nestling BG From 8th of April on, BG 003 participated in rearing. Remarks on BG and BG On 20th of December 2003, the pair again had to be separated as the female fiercly chased the male. Female BG 137 had built a beautiful nest. Remarks on MALE PAIR BG 204, Oskar x BG 065 (Crete-Bird). Both males received a dummy egg on the 14th of December BG 065 picked the egg up with his bill and repeatedly rolled it from the edge of the nest to the middle of the trough. After 10 minutes the bird started to warm the dummy egg. BG 204 sat at the edge of the nest for the first day but shared brooding with BG 065 from the second day on. In the morning of 27th of December BG 204 X BG 065 received the egg of BG 105 x BG 178. Both males continued brooding on the dummy egg and the egg of the pair.

8 6 Breeding Network 2004 On 9th of January, only one egg was found in the trough. In the morning of 12th of January, the egg was found outside the nest, the trough did not exist anymore. After restoring the swale the egg was returned and both birds continued incubation. BG 204 continued incubation until at least 17th of March. Summary - Vienna Breeding Unit Six pairs laid 11 eggs (at least). Five young hatched, nearly all of them in the incubator. After a maximum of seven days of handrearing, the nestlings were adopted by their parents or foster parents. Three of them fledged successfully, two died. Breeding Station Haute-Savoie After the return of BG 054 x BG 087 to Haute Savoie on 11th of November 2003 (see Annual Report 2003, page 6), the laid one egg on 2nd of January. It was infertile or the embryo died at an early stage of development. Breeding Centre Goldau/Rigi, Switzerland Two pairs are kept in the Swiss Breeding centre in 2004, each of which produced a clutch (see also p. 113). Hans and Macha (BG x BG ) were put together after the death of male Caesar, BG (Annual Report 2003, p. 11) and produced their egg on the 12th of February. BG hatched on the 4th of April. Felix (BG ), paired with the subadult female BG , had their first clutch on 14th of January. This egg broke the same day. The pair continued mating and produced a second clutch (again one egg) on the 4th of February This one hatched on the 29th of March but the nestling BG was killed by the male short time later. Breeding Centre Centro de Cría Guadalentín (CCG), Spain BG x BG had their first egg on the 24th of December, the second on the 30th of December, both failed. which was found cold and neglected in the nest, although both birds stayed in the nest during the night. A third egg, laid on the 7th of January was incubated only by the male for 24 days and then transferred to the incubator where it hatched on 28th of February (BG ). Pair BG 286 x BG 153 laid two eggs on 15th and 22nd of December, one of which (the second) hatched on the 14th of February (BG ). Unfortunately this one was killed by one of its parents, which crushed its head. No aggressive behaviour was observed, it was just an unfortune accident. Wassenaar Wildlife Breeding Centre, The Netherlands BG x BG did not produce a clutch this year but copulations were heared and a nest was built in November The pair obviously has a rather harmonic relationship. Summary - other Breeding Centres Five pairs laid nine eggs. four young hatched, two of them survived. One pair did not reproduce.

9 2004 Breeding Network 7 ZOOS AUSTRIA Alpenzoo Innsbruck The founder pair BG 019 x BG 021 laid the first egg on 11th of January. A replacement clutch was transferred to an incubator, but the pair ceased brooding in the beginning of March. No offspring this year. Tiergarten Schönbrunn BG 201 x BG laid one egg on 31st of December 2003, which they incubated from the beginning on. The egg proved to be infertile. SWITZERLAND Bern Zoo Pair BG x BG produced one egg on the 12th of January. Both birds incubated without any disorder but, as in the previous year, the pair failed. La Garenne Zoo The single egg of pair BG 034 x BG was produced on the 4th of January and hatched on the 28th of February (BG ). GERMANY Hannover Zoo BG x BG laid two eggs on 20th of January and 3rd of February. BG died during hatching on the 15th/16th of March. The egg had been found strongly undercooled and damaged. BG (Toto) hatched on the 30th of March and was transferred to the VBU to be raised by foster parents on the 2nd of April. Nuremberg Zoo The pair BG x BG , laid one egg on the 27th of December. It broke on 31st of December because of an investigation and actions of the criminal investigation department near the nest site (see page 9, Annual Report 2003). A second clutch followed on the 2nd of February (one egg). It broke during incubation. TSECH REPUBLIK Prague Zoo This experienced founder pair (BG 134 x BG 135) laid one egg on the 10th of January, which hatched on the 4th of March (BG ). This bird was transferred to the VBU for rearing on the 15th of March. The pair received BG (born in Liberec Zoo) for raising on 2nd or March. Liberec Zoo The pair BG x BG 274 laid two eggs (25th of December, 1st of January), which hatched on the 18th of February (BG ) and 23rd of February (BG ). Pairs with no reproduction in 2004 Furthermore the following already adult pairs did not start reproduction: BG x BG , Stuttgart Zoo, Germany, BG x BG , Vogelpark Walsrode, Germany, BG x BG , Antwerp Zoo, Belgium,

10 8 Breeding Network 2004 Table 2: Offspring 2004 STUDBOOK No. PARENTAGE SEX 4) BREEDING STATION/ZOO BG 433 BG 108 X BG 175 m Vienna Breeding Unit BG 434 1) BG 286 X BG 153? Centro de Cría Guadalentín BG 435 BG 108 X BG 175 f Vienna Breeding Unit BG 436 BG 180 X BG 274 f Liberec Zoo BG 437 BG 180 X BG 274 m Liberec Zoo BG 438 BG 034 X BG 130 m La Garenne Zoo BG 439 BG 124 X BG 041 f Centro de Cría Guadalentín BG 440 BG 199 X BG 107 f Vienna Breeding Unit BG 441 BG 134 X BG 135 f Prague Zoo BG 443 2) BG 080 X BG 081? Hannover Zoo BG 444 BG 080 X BG 081 m Hannover Zoo BG 445 3) BG 060 X BG 276? Breeding Centre Goldau BG 446 BG 174 X BG 118 m Breeding Centre Goldau 1) BG 434 died four days after hatching because of an accident. 2) BG 443 died during hatching. 3) BG 445 died short time after hatching, killed by its father. 4) Sex determination was done by Barbara Gautschi, University of Zurich, Switzerland BG 161 x BG , Moscow Zoo, Russia, BG x BG , San Diego Zoo, USA, BG x BG , Basel Zoo, Switzerland, BG x BG , Ostrava Zoo, Czech Republic, BG x BG , Helsinki Zoo, Finland. Remarks on pair BG x BG in the Helsinki Zoo, Finland. As in the previous year, mating was observed as well as activities at the nest site. But so far no reproduction. Remarks on pair BG X BG in Ostrava Zoo, Czech Republic. Also in 2004 no pair bond took place. Therefore it was decided to exchange the female BG 227 with female BG in the Vogelpark Walsrode, Germany. Remarks on pair BG x BG in San Diego Zoo, USA. The rather dominant female of this pair sometimes attacked her mate. Perfect nest construction, but again no egg production. A part of the dense vegetation in their fcility was reduced to allow the birds more space and possibilities for flight. Remarks on pair BG x BG in Antwerp Zoo, Belgium. The prepared nest was situated near the ground of the facility and was never used by the pair so far. Therefore it was proposed to offer a second nest site in the upper part of the breeding facility. Summary - Zoos 10 pairs laid 18 eggs. Six young hatched, five of which were successfully reared by their parents, one died due to aggressions of the father. Furthermore, eight adult pairs did not start reproduction up to now.

11 2004 Breeding Network 9 Private collaborator The pair BG x BG kept by a private collaborator in Germany produced no eggs but had built a nest and copulations were observed too. Total Breeding Centres, Zoos and private collaborators 21 adult pairs, produced at least 38 eggs. 13 young hatched, of these 10 were reared successfully by their parents or foster parents. New participants No new participants in 2004 TRANSFERS - INCREASES - DEATHS TRANSFERS BG , was transferred from Liberec Zoo, Czech Republic to Prague Zoo, Czech Republic for rearing on the 2nd of March. BG , hatched in Prague Zoo, Czech Republic was brought to the VBU, Austria, on the 15th of March for rearing. BG , hatched in Hannover Zoo, Germany was brought to the VBU, Austria on the 2nd of April for rearing and from there to Nationalpark Hohe Tauern, Tyrol, Austria for release on the 1st of July. This male was recaptured and brougth back to the VBU on 28th of December BG , male was transferred from Basel Zoo, Switzerland to the Breeding Centre Goldau, Switzerland on the 16th of April. BG and BG were transported from the VBU, Austria to Parco Naturale Alpi Marittime, Italy, for release on the 13th of May. BG was transferred from CCG, Spain to the VBU, Austria on the 27th of May and again from the VBU to the release area Martell, Italy on the 6th of June. BG and BG were transported from the VBU, Austria to Doran, Haute Savoie, France for release on the 29th of May. BG was transferred from Breeding Centre Goldau, Switzerland to Nationalpark Hohe Tauern, Tyrol, Austria for release on the 1st of July. BG and BG were transported from Liberec Zoo, Czech Republic to the Breeding Centre Goldau, Switzerland on the 12th of July. BG was transferred from Almaty Zoo, Kazakhstan to the VBU, Austria on 7th of September. BG was transported from VBU, Austria to Breeding Centre Haute Savoie, France on the 19th of September. BG was transported from Ostrava Zoo, Czech Republik to Vogelpark Walsrode, Germany on the 7th of November BG was transferred from Vogelpark Walsrode, Germany to Ostrava Zoo, Czech Republik on 8th of November BG and BG were transferred from Breeding Centre Goldau, Switzerland to the VBU, Austria on the 25th of November.

12 10 Breeding Network 2004 INCREASES BG , Marie Antoinette, female, released on 1st of June 1989 in Haute Savoie, France, was recaptured on the 19th of May 2004 in Val Panorama View of the Breeding Centre Haute Savoie - the new home of BG 115 Photo: Marie Zimmermann, ASTERS, France d Isere, Nationalpark Vanoise, France, because of an injured wing. After some months in a rehabilitation centre in france, the bird was transferred to the Bearded Vulture Breeding Centre of ASTERS in Haute Savoie, to be paired with male BG from the VBU. BG , the male Toto, released on 1st of June 2004 in Kals, Nationalpark Hohe Tauern, Austria, was recaptured being too accustomed to humans and human buildings in Eastern Tyrol. The bird was transferred to the VBU on 28th of December 2004 (see page 57). DEATHS * Male BG died in the VBU, Austria, on the 31th of March 2004 with an age of 18 years. BG 086 hatched in the VBU without any problems or human help on 9th of Februar With an age of eight days the nestling was transferred to pair BG 002 x BG 003 to be reared, which happened without any problem. In November, BG 086 was transferred into a facility together with BG , a female hatched in Both birds, although very young, harmonized extremely well. In 1987, they liked to sit close to each other, to groom each others plumage and even started to build a nest in winter. A very early pair bonding was observed. In 1988, the young pair still harmonized very well and again built at the nest. BG 086 behaves rather familiar towards the keeper and regularly showed threat display at the fence of the aviary. On 17th of November 1989, female BG had to be sent to Nuremberg Zoo, Germany, as a replacement for BG So this young pair unfortunately had to be separated. BG 086 was transferred to another facility two days earlier, to female BG (hatched in the VBU in 1988). Also in this case, a harmonic pair bond was formed rather quickly. In the course of 1990, the pair bond between these two young vultures deepened further and both settled in the new aviary rather well. BG 086 still behaved aggressive towards the keeper and tried to start a number of fights with the neighbouring BG 016, the imprinted male Mr. President (Annual Report 2000, p ) and his human partner at the fence of the facilities. The birds carried around a lot of nesting material but real nest building was not observed. In 1991, BG 086 has moulted nearly completely into adult plumage. The pair still harmonized very well. The same was observed in * The data on the whereabouts of the released offspring of the dead birds were generously provided by IBM-International Bearded Vultue Monitoring NP Hohe Tauern - R.ZINK/EGS, A.S.T.E.R.S, PN Alpi Marittime, PN Stelvio, PN Vanoise, Stiftung Pro Bartgeier

13 2004 Breeding Network 11 On 24th of January of 1993, first copulations were heared but no clutch was produced. Also in 1994, copulations were heared but again no egg was laid. The keeper constructed and renovated the eyrie, the birds themselves did not build a lot but still stayed together in great harmony. On 14th of February 1995, the first egg of this pair was laid. In the morning of this day, the female (then seven years old) was very busy working on wool in the nest and was not distracted from working in the through by activities of the keeper (feeding). Both adults brooded intensively. BG 234 hatched on the 9th of April in an incubator. BG 086 carried a huge amount of nesting material to the eyrie in the course of September, first copulations were observed as from October. Two eggs were laid in 1996, BG 265 and BG 267 hatched on the 15th and 20th of March respectively. Both nestlings died approx. 14 days after hatching. In 1997, again two eggs were laid, both hatched (BG 283 and BG 285) on the 18th and 24th of March respectively. In 1998, again two eggs were laid. BG 297 hatched on 8th of March, the second egg proved to be infertile. BG 297 hatched in an incubator but the pair, still being in reproductive mood, recieved BG as foster nestling. The female BG 104 immediately started to feed but was a little bit too inexperienced (food dropped to the ground instead into the beak of the young, female left the eyrie with the screaming baby but returned immediately). So BG 294 was replaced by BG , which was three days older. The adoption of this young by the pair BG 086 x BG 104 worked very well and both adults eagerly participated in rearing the young bird. As in the years before also in 1999, two eggs were laid: BG 319 hatched on the 24th of February, BG 324 on the 2nd of March. The latter was rather weak for the first week of life but recovered and was successfully reared by foster parents (BG 201 x BG 044), while BG 086 and his mate reared BG , coming from Breeding Centre Haute Savoie, France. On 16th of March, BG was added to the eyrie, which had to be divided by a beam. The raising of both nestlings happened without any problems. In 2000, again two eggs hatched (BG 352 on the 24th of February and BG 357 on the 3rd of March). The latter needed human help during hatching and was a rather weak bird but recovered after six days. In this year, the pair again reared two nestlings in the divided nest site (BG and BG ). Their own offspring were reared by foster pairs. Also in 2001, two nestlings hatched (BG 370 on the 16th of February and BG 373 on the 21st of February). The latter, again, proved to be very weak for the first 7 days of life and needed human help during hatching. The pair had abandoned brooding on the 12th of February, no foster nestlings were reared in As usual, two offspring hatched in 2002: BG 393 on the 2nd of March and BG 396 on the 9th of March. Unfortunately, the latter died during hatching. In 2003, again two eggs were laid, but only one hatched (BG 417 on the 27th of February in the nest of its parents), the other had died during incubation. Unfortunately, BG 417 was found dead six days after hatching. The small carcass gave a weak impression, although food was stored at the eyrie. On 1st of March it had seemed to be well fed and content. In October, BG 086 had fierce fightings at the fence with the male of the neighbouring aviary and from 2nd week of November on, BG 086 gave a rather sick impression. He rested at the feeding place, fed, showed threat behaviour but did not fly away or move. A close examination on 12th of November at the Veterinary Medical University of Vienna revealed nothing but the bird did not recover. On 12th of December he had to be separated from his female as she started to fiercly attack him. He fed well but seemed to be sick. In January he lost all primaries at the left wing, but recovered, was more active and also built at a nest. In the morning of 30th of March, BG 086 was found dead. Diagnosis: myocarditis, may be coming from a chronic sanious arthritis of the left carpal bones. In all, BG 086 had 15 young, five of which died as nestlings, six were released and four remained in the breeding network: BG , female, hatched on the 9th of April 1995 is kept in Antwerp Zoo, Belgium since 26th of May 1996.

14 12 Breeding Network 2004 BG , hatched on the 15th of March 1996 but died on 28th of March from an umbilical infection. BG hatched on the 20th of March 1996 but died on 2nd of April from an overall bacterial infection (umbilical?). BG , male, hatched on the 18th of March The bird was released as Tell in Swiss Nationalpark Engadine on the 20th of June. Tell was last seen in Samnaun, Italy, on the 23rd of December From 1999 to 2002 he and his sister BG 285 formed PAIR SINE- STRA in Switzerland. For more insight in Tell s life see AR 1999, p. 46; AR 2000, p ; AR 2001, p ; AR 2002, p ; AR 2003, p. 50. BG , female, hatched on the 24th of March 1997 with some human help. On 3rd of April, the nestling was transferred to Alpenzoo Innsbruck, Austria, to be raised by the foster pair BG 019 x BG 021. The bird, Sina, was transferred to Swiss NP Engadine on 19th of June to be released with her sibling BG 283. The last observation of Sina was made in Ramosch, Switzerland on 9th of February For more insight in Sina s life see AR 1999, p. 46; AR 2000, p ; AR 2001, p ; AR 2002, p ; AR 2003, p. 50. BG , male, hatched on the 8th of March On 9th of December 1998, BG 297 was transferred to Vogelpark Walsrode, Germany to be partner of BG , hatched in Hannover Zoo, Germany. On 14th of February 2002, both birds were transported to Wildpark Luneburger Heide, Germany. After the death of BG 300 on 2nd of June 2002, BG 297 returned to the VBU, Austria on 29th of September On 19th of September 2004, BG 297 was transferred to the Breeding centre Haute Savoie, France, to be the partner of BG , Marie Antoinette (see p. 10). BG , female, hatched on the 24th of February On the 23rd of December it was transferred to Tel Aviv University Zoo, Israel to be paired with BG BG , male, hatched on the 2nd of March For the first seven days of life it was a rather weak bird and did not develop well. From 8th day on, it developed normally. Nevertheless, the bird died on 18th of August 1999 from Aspergillosis. BG , female hatched on the 24th of February 2000 and was transferred to Jerez Zoo, Spain, together with male BG on the 16th of November BG , female, hatched with human help on the 3rd of March This was bird was released as Retia in Martell valley, NP Stelvio, Italy on the 3rd of June BG , female, hatched on the 16th of February 2001 and was released as Roure in NP Mercantour, France on the 15th of May BG , female, hatched with a little human help on the 21st of February 2001 and was released as Christa in NP Hohe Tauern, Austria on the 23rd of May BG , female, hatched on the 2nd of March 2002 and was released as Stift in NP Stelvio, Italy on the 1st of June BG hatched on the 9th of March This bird died during hatching. BG hatched on the 25th of February 2002 and died in the nest of its parents on 5th of March Special thanks go to all collaborators of the breeding network of the EEP and those of the Reintroduction Project, who helped entirely benevolently.

15 2004 Breeding Network 13 Table 3. EEP Stock in December 2004 No (m/f) LOCATION Age m Age f PARENTAGE {m/f}/{m/f} GENERATION m/f REMARKS 310/157 Almaty wildcaught/{154/155} parent/f1 159/270 Almaty wildcaught/wildcaught parent/parent /432 Almaty 6 /wildcaught /parent 347/ Almaty 6 wildcaught/ parent/ handraised/ 058/234 Antwerp Zoo {019/021}/{086/104} F1/F2 294/292 Berlin Friedrichsfelde 7 7 {017/070}/{199/107} F1/F1 298/320 Berlin Zoo 7 6 {122/118}/{018/272} F2/F2 148/142 Bern {019/021}/{009/041} F1/(F1/F2) 286/153 CCG?? wildcaught/wildcaught parent/parent 124/041 CCG 15 25* {131/132}/{034/035} F1/F1 * handraised 362/278 CCG 5 8 {080/081}/{065/074} F2/(F1/F2) 337/317 CCG 6 6 {201/044}/{017/070} (F1/F2)/F2 313/330 CCG 6 6 {009/006}/{108/119} (F1/F2)/(F3/F2) 172/290 CCG 13 7 {031/006}/{134/135} (F1/F2)/F1 232/329 CCG? 6 wildcaught/{043/040} parent/f2 /103 CCG 17 /{065/040} /(F1/F2) 217/ CCG 11* {051/049}/ F2/ * handraised /360 CCG 5 /{018/272} /F2 368/ CCG 5* {159/270}/ F1/ * handraised 371/ CCG 4 {105/178}/ (F2/F1)/ 391/ CCG 3 {124/041}/ F2/ 223/132 CCG {014/010}/wildcaught F1/parent 410/412 CCG 2 2 {286/153}/wildcaught F1/parent 340/338 Chomutov 6 6 {018/272}/{134/135} (F2/F1)/F 1 160/ Faucounery du Puy 23 {154/155}/ F1/ 145/091 Goldau {131/132}/{005/006} F1/F2 060/276 Goldau 22 8 {034/035}/{199/107} F1/(F1/F2) 174/118 Goldau {134/135}/{154/155} F1/F1 046/ Grünau 25 {022/023}/ F1/ handraised

16 14 Breeding Network 2004 No (m/f) LOCATION Age m Age f PARENTAGE {m/f}/{m/f} GENERATION m/f REMARKS 080/081 Hannover {019/021}/{004/027} F1/F1 087/054 Haute-Savoie {014/010}/{034/035} F1/F1 297/115 Haute-Savoie 7 15 {086/104}/{019/021} F1/F1 179/281 Helsinki 24 8 {154/155}/{131/132} F1/F1 202/ Hochlehnert 17 {150/151}/ F1 handraised 203/218 Hochlehnert {150/151}/{080/081} F1/F2 019/021 Innsbruck wildcaught/wildcaught parent/parent 351/352 Jerez 5 5 {017/070}/{086/104} F2/F2 034/130 La Garenne wildcaught/{150/151} parent/f1 180/274 Liberec {161/162}/wildcaught F1/parent both handraised 394/397 Liberec 3 3 {034/130}/{201/044} (F1/F2/(F1/F2 161/125 Moscow wildcaught/{009/041} parent/(f1/f2) 342 Moscow 6 6 {159/270} F1 handraised 018/272 Nuremberg {019/021}/{161/162} F1/F1 both handraised 325/322 Ostrava 6 6 {017/070}/{152/153} F2/F1 207/233 Ostrava {017/070}/{122/118} F2/F2 134/135 Prague wildcaught/wildcaught parent/parent 328/336 Poznan 6 6 {080/081}/{201/044} F2/(F1/F2) /381 Riga 4 /{159/270} /F1 handraised 047/209 San Diego 24* 11 {034/035}/{150/151} F1/F1 * handraised 129/212 Stuttgart {051/049}/{152/153} F2/F1 201/044 Schönbrunn, Vienna wildcaught/{002/003} parent/f1 431/ Tallin 5 wildcaught/ parent/ handraised /319 Tel Aviv, Univ. 6 /{086/104} /F2 031/003 VBU wildcaught/wildcaught parent/parent 014/133 VBU wildcaught/{134/135} parent/f1 009/006 VBU wildcaught/{019/020} parent/f1 065/ 204/ VBU 33? wildcaught/ wildcaught parent/ parent 199/107 VBU? 17 wildcaught/{150/151} parent/f1

17 2004 Breeding Network 15 No (m/f) LOCATION Age m Age f PARENTAGE {m/f}/{m/f} GENERATION m/f REMARKS 017/070 VBU {019/021}/{022/023} F1/F1 /104 VBU 17 /{030/026} /F1 105/178 VBU {161/162}/wildcaught F1/parent 108/175 VBU {065/040}/{152/153} (F1/F2)/F1 /137 VBU 20 /{154/155} /F1 327/314 VBU 6 6 {105/178}/{009/006} (F2/F1)/(F1/F2) 376/ VBU 4 {180/274} F2/F1/ /389 VBU 3 /{199/197} /{F1/F2} 399/ VBU 3 {159/270} F1/ 414/ VBU 2 {105/178}/ F2/F1/ /436 VBU 1 /{180/274} /F1/F2 437/ VBU 1 {180274}/ F1/F2/ 444/ VBU 1 {080081}/ F2/ 190/227 Walsrode {152/153}/{011/054} F1/F2 076/303 Wassenaar 20 7 {022/023}/{009/006} F1/{F1/F2} 043/040 Wuppertal 25* 25 {019/021}/{034/035} F1/F1 * handraised BG 444, Toto, in the VBU Photo: KARL HOFBAUER - HÖFER, AUSTRIA

18 16 Breeding Network Drawing: Ueli Iff, Switzerlanmd Table 4: Reproduction between 1978 and (1) (3) (5) (4) (4) (4) (4) (7) (4) (4) (8) (10) (9) (8) (9) Number of egg laying pairs (Number of successfully reproducing pairs) nnn For breeding nnn Died as juvenile, immature or adult nnn Died as nestling nnn Released nnn Released and dead or lost n.n.n male.female.sex unknown

19 2004 Breeding Network * * Drawing: Ueli Iff, Switzerland * * * (11) (12) (7) (6) (6) (13) (17) 24 (11) 24 (11) 24 (11) 22 (11) 21 (10) Number of egg laying pairs (Number of successfully reproducing pairs) nnn stolen nnn * given to a commercial falconry station nnn given to a zoo outside the EEP

20 18 Breeding Network 2004 Table 5: Age distribution of Bearded Vultures within the breeding network as on 31 December 2004 males nnn Studbooknumber Age in years females

21 2004 Breeding Network 19 Report on Releases in 2004 by Hans Frey * In the year 2004, eight young Bearded Vultures were to be released, two at each of four release sites (NP Hohe Tauern, Haute Savoie, NP Argentera and Martell). These were: BG 433 male born in the VBU, Austria BG 435 female born in the VBU, Austria BG 438 male born in la Garenne Zoo, Switzerland BG 439 female born in the CCG, Spain BG 440 female born in the VBU, Austria BG 441 female born in Prague Zoo, Czech Republik BG 444 male born in Hannover Zoo, Germany BG 446 male born in the Breeding Centre Goldau, Switzerland In all, four females and four males. The studbooknumber, sex, name, ring and feather marks of the released birds are shown in FIGURE 1. Figure 1: Markings BG 433, male, Blangíar ring:right talon: red; left talon: blue wing left: 4-5 tail left: 2-3 wing left: 11-12; BG 435, female, Palanfré ring:right talon: red; left talon: black BG 438, male, Culan ring:right talon: red; left talon: gold wing right: tail left: 2-3 BG 439, female, Ortler ring:right talon: red; left talon: green wing left: 2-3; tail right: 3-4 * Department of Pathobiology, Institute of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, A-1210 Wien, Austria. Hans.Frey@vu-wien.ac.at

22 20 Release 2004 BG 440, female, Gilbert ring:right talon: red; left talon: copper wing right: 2-3; 12-13; BG 441, female, Bella Cha ring:right talon: red; left talon: red wing right: 5-6 wing left: 3-4 tail left: 3-4 wing right: 4-5; BG 444, male, Toto ring:right talon: red; left talon: violet recaptured on 28th of December 2004 BG 446, male, Hubertus 2 ring:right talon: red; left talon: silver wing right: 4-6 tail left: 1-5 Bearded Vultures released in the period 1986 to 2004 Rauris, Mallnitz, Gschlöß, Gastein & Kals Between 1986 and 2004, 39 Bearded Vultures were released in the NATIONAL PARK HOHE TAUERN: 16 males, 23 females. They are the offspring of 17 different breeding pairs. One female was shot (Nina, BG , in France, at the age of seven years in 1993), one female died in an avalanche (Jackpot, BG , in Austria, being one year old in 1995), two females and one male had to be recaptured (Winnie, BG , in Austria, being one year old in 1986, Keno, BG in 1999, some days after her first flight at the release site and Hubsi, BG , at the release site in 1990). Five birds are missing (Heinz, BG , since 1987, Ulli, BG , since 1992, Bernhard, BG , since 1992, Winfried, BG , since 1993 and Paradatsch, BG , since 1997). Haute-Savoie 37 Bearded Vultures have been released since 1987: 15 males, 19 females and three birds of unknown sex. They derive from 18 different breeding pairs. Six males and three females died (Robespierre, BG in its first year of life through collision with a power line in 1989, BG and BG , Europa Life, because of illness at the nest site in 1991 and in 2001 respectively, Republic 7, BG killed at the nest site by a fox in 1994, Danton, BG , in its seventh year of life as a result of colliding with a power line in 1996 in France, the female Mélusine, BG , in its third year, killed by an avalanche in 1989 in Switzerland and the female Republic 5, BG shot in 1997 in Wallis, Switzerland). Another adult bird was found dead in Sex determination based on feathers of the dead bird proved that it is Republic, BG The ring with the studbooknumber was missing, leaving only the second ring. The latter indicated only the release site of Haute-Savoie and the year of release (1991), so the examination of the feathers revealed the identity of the Bearded Vulture. An additional male, Saturnin, BG is missing as from Recently, some evidence has come to light indicating that this bird was already shot not far from its release site in the summer of Averell, BG was found dead in the

23 2004 Release 21 Lechtal (Austria) in The reason of death still is not documented (see AR 2002, p ). Marie Antoinette (BG ), released in 1989 and one of the partners of the trio of Val d Isere, had to recaptured on the 19th of May. The bird was rather weak and one wing injured - it will never be re-released anymore. After some weeks of husbandry in a rehabilitation centre in Haute Savoie, BG 115 was transferred to the Breeding Centre Haute Savoie end of August. The first vulture born in the wild and named Phénix Alp Action (BGW 01) fledged successfully in Haute Savoie in 1997 followed by the second one, named Dominique (BGW 03) in Also in 1999 the pair Assignat (BG 111) x Balthazar (BG 099) bred successfully, producing BGW 05 (Rhonealp) and in 2000 BGW 06 (Reposoir). In 2001, this pair ceased brooding, in 2002 one young hatched (BGW 15, Clarins) but died falling from the rock with parts of the eyrie with an age of 2.5 months. Two additionally young fledged in Termignon (BGW14, Arpont) and Val d Isere (BGW 16, Free Ride) in In 2003, the French pairs were not so successful, only one young fledged (BGW18, Cross-Border) in Val d Isere on 28th of July. The old breeding pair of Bargy again had a young, but this one died before fledging (BGW19). In 2004, again two offspring fledged, BGW21, Pelvio in Termignon and BGW25, Morsulaz deriving from the Bargy pair. Engadin/Nationalpark Stelvio Between 1991 and 2004, 28 Bearded Vultures were released in the Swiss National Park and Stelvio Nationalpark: 14 males and 14 females. They are the offspring of 18 different pairs. A male (Felix, BG ) was shot at the age of one year on the border between Austria and Italy in Another, Roseg, BG disappeared short time after fledging. A young bird (Stelvio, BGW 02) was born in the wild not far from the release site, near the Italian- Swiss border in In 2000, two pairs, one in Bormio, the second in Livigno (both territories near the Italian-Swiss border) successfuly reared BGW 07 (Diana Stelvio) and BGW 08 (Livigno) respectively. In 2001 again one young was born in Bormio, BGW 09 (Stelvio 01), which successfully fledged, whereas the young of pair Livigno (BGW 10) died on the 1st of June. In 2002, three young vultures were reared in the wild: BGW 11, Moische-Livigno in Livigno, BGW 12, Zebru in Val Zebru and BGW 13, Beverin-Stelvio in Bormio. In 2003, two young were born: BGW17, Regina-Livigno, fledged on the 22nd of July in Dardaligno and BGW20, which died before flegding in Zebru. Again in 2004, three offspring became reared successfully: BGW22, Silva-Zebru in Zebru, BGW23, Tommy- Livigno in Livigno and BGW24, Gerry-Stelvio in Bormio. Argentera/Mercantour Since 1993, 25 Bearded Vultures, being the offspring of ten breeding pairs, have been released: 13 (five males, seven females and one bird of unknown sex) in the Mercantour N.P. and 12 (seven males and five females) in Argentera Parco Naturale Alpi Marittime. They are the offspring of 13 different pairs. One female (Geo, BG ) had to be recaptured in 1995, one male, Mounier (BG ) was found dead, shot in 2000 and one female, Mercantour (BG ) is missing. TOTAL Within the framework of the Bearded Vulture Project a total of 129 young Bearded Vultures have been released into the Alps since 1986: 57 males, 68 females and 4 birds of unknown sex. They are the offspring of 33 different pairs. Five young Bearded Vultures had to be returned into the breeding network (Winnie, BG , Hubsi, BG , Geo, BG , Keno, BG , Toto, BG ) and one adult (Marie Antoinette, BG ). Thirteen, possibly 15, died (Mélusine, BG , Nina, BG , Danton, BG , Robespierre, BG , Averell, BG , Republic, BG , BG , Republic 5, BG , Felix, BG , Jackpot, BG , Republic 7, BG , Saturnin, BG {?}, Mounier, BG ), EuropaLife, BG , Roseg, BG {?}), while six are missing (Heinz, BG , Ulli, BG , Paradatsch, BG , Bernhard, BG , Winfried, BG , Mercantour, BG ). At present at least 90 Bearded Vultures are living in the wild.

24 22 Release 2004 Site RAURIS 1986 BG Hans m Wassenaar BG Fritz f Alpenzoo Innsbruck BG Ellen f Alpenzoo Innsbruck BG / Winnie f recaptured Grünau 1987 BG Heinz m lost Wassenaar BG Nina f shot La Garenne Zoo 1988 BG Alexa f Alpenzoo Innsbruck BG Ulli m lost Vienna Breeding Unit BG / Paradatsch f lost Grünau 1989 BG / Karl f Vienna Breeding Unit BG Joey m Vienna Breeding Unit BG Colleen f Alpenzoo Innsbruck BG / Baselisk f Vienna Breeding Unit 1990 BG / Hubertus m recaptured Vienna Breeding Unit BG Lotte f Vienna Breeding Unit 1991 BG / Nicola f Vienna Breeding Unit BG / Diana f Vienna Breeding Unit 1992 BG / Bernhard m lost Vienna Breeding Unit BG Fulvio m Berlin Friedrichsfelde 1993 BG Helmut m Vienna Breeding Unit BG / Winfried m lost Vienna Breeding Unit 1994 BG Hans Rupert f Vienna Breeding Unit BG Jackpot f dead La Garenne Zoo 1995 no release took place 1996 BG Andreas Hofer f Alpenzoo Innsbruck BG Marga f Berlin Friedrichsfelde 1997 no release took place 1998 BG Daniel m Alpenzoo Innsbruck BG Jackpot 3 m Vienna Breeding Unit 1999 BG Zonta f Alpenzoo Innsbruck BG / Keno f recaptured Wuppertal Zoo TOTAL Site MALLNITZ 2000 BG / Bingo f Vienna Breeding Unit BG / Georg m La Garenne 2003 BG / Joker f Centro de Cria Guadalentin BG / Kasati m Hannover Zoo TOTAL Site GSCHLÖß 2001 BG / El Dorado f Vienna Breeding Unit BG / Christa f Vienna Breeding Unit TOTAL