infoGIPETO n.37 |dicembre 2020

RICERCA & CONSERVAZIONE
RESEARCH & CONSERVATION
Figure 1 - Spatial distribution of the 33 anthropogenic incidents that directly led to the loss (death/recapture) of a bearded vulture or contributed to it as a secondary factor.
A: Cables (circles: collisions) and powerlines (triangles: collision/electrocution); B: Chronic and acute lead exposure; C: Poaching (incidents resulting in death or survival
and embedded shot); D: poisoning. In some occasions, several factors led to death or recovery and therefore individual points are shown on several maps. Distribuzione
sulle Alpi dei 33 casi in cui le cause antropiche hanno contribuito direttamente o come fattori secondari alla perdita (morte/recupero) di un gipeto. A: Cavi (cerchi: collisione)
e infrastrutture elettriche (triangoli: collisione/elettrocuzione); B: Saturnismo cronico e acuto; C: Bracconaggio (sia casi di mortalità, sia casi di sopravvivenza con incistamento
del pallino); D: Avvelenamento. In alcune situazioni, più fattori hanno contribuito alla morte dell’individuo e, pertanto, il punto corrispondente è riportato su più mappe.
Lead intoxication and poisoning - Lead intoxications occur when vultures eat carcasses and
offal containing the remains of lead bullets or shots. A total of eight such incidents have been
recorded in the Alps so far, which accounts for around 13% of all drop-outs. Therefore, actions to
promote the use of lead-free ammunition are a fundamental concern in vulture conservation (e.g.
planned LIFE project submission and the REACH process in the EU).
Globally, poisoning is the major threat for vultures. Only one case of poisoning was so far detected
in the Alps (rat poison, see bearded vulture Palanfré, above). However, this situation easily can
change and has to be monitored very carefully. In fact, a key factor for the success of the bearded
vulture reintroduction in the Alps is that, so far, illegal poisoning occurred only very occasionally.
Regional differences in cause of death of bearded vultures - Drop-out cases have been recorded
all over the Alpine region (Figure 1). However, there is evidence that the mortality risks
differ from region to region. Collisions with cables and incidents involving power lines (collision/
electrocution) have often been detected in the French regions of Haute-Savoie and Vanoise. Several
projects have therefore been implemented to mitigate these risks in these regions (e.g. LIFE
GypHelp). Lead intoxication, on the
other hand, was detected more frequently
in the Eastern Alps. However, in
the case of chronic lead poisoning and
also in cases of shot bearded vultures
which survived shooting (poaching), we
have limited certainty about the places
where these incidents took place.
Measures against anthropogenic threats
can only be taken effectively when
they are known and when sufficient impact
on the population can be demonstrated
towards government or funding
organisation. Therefore, a rigorous and
detailed monitoring is key to identify
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