Der Falke - Griffon vultures Croatia

BIOLOGIE
destination in the category „General countryside“,
awarded by Skal International,
an international professional association
of the Tourism industry. It was the greed
of the tourism industry on the island, that
delivered the death blow. Conflicts between
the nature conservationists and people
who wanted to earn money with the
Griffon vultures (for example, excursion
boats) soon became the order of the day.
At the height of its success, the eco-centre
was forced close.
At the rescue center on Cres up to 15 rescued Griffon vultures were rehabilitated in some years.
Photo: G. Sušić. Freiflugvoliere Ökozentrum Caput Insulae Beli, 20.7.2010.
New rescue centre on the mainland
A few months later a new site for a rescue
centre was found on the mainland. In
the Velebit nature park and right next to
the coastal road with a direct view of the
uninhabited island of Prvić, where colonies
of Griffon vultures are located. On
the property was a dilapidated forester‘s
house. The restoration of the building and
the construction of an aviary took nearly
two years. The name of the newly founded
organization was „Grifon - Birds of Prey
Conservation Society“. In September 2013,
the centre was inaugurated. With the help
of numerous, very enthusiastic volunteers,
the formerly abandoned place flourished.
The animals in the rescue centre could be
observed behind mirrored windows and
dead animal because it provides a lot of
energy. Only the strongest at the „buffet“
catches the treat. Unfortunately, however,
it is the most dangerous organ when the
prey has been poisoned because most of
the poison accumulates in the liver. Griffon
vultures don´t have a sense of smell and
are not aware of the deadly danger. That
is why the highest ranking and strongest
Griffon vultures are often the first victims
of poisoning. An illegal poison bait had
devastating consequences on the island of
Rab in 2004: the highly endangered population
was decimated at a single stroke and
twenty Griffon vultures lost their lifes. The
information and education work in the
eco-centre was an important measure to
prevent accidents caused by disturbances
and poisoning of the animals. The project
on Cres grew and attracted more and more
visitors in the twenty years of its existence.
It was showered with awards. In 2011, the
project received a prize as the world´s best
In May 2016, six rehabilitated Griffon vultures could be released back to nature.
Photo: H. J. Meyer. Kvarner Bay, 28.5.2016.
26 | DER FALKE 5/2017