Thirty young bearded vultures take flight in Switzerland

Thirty young bearded vultures fledged in Switzerland this year, according to figures from the Pro Bearded Vulture Foundation, SRF reports.

The species was wiped out in the Alpine region in the early 20th century after it was hunted because people wrongly believed it preyed on lambs and even children. Reintroductions have taken place in the Alps for several decades.

Daniel Hegglin, a wildlife biologist and head of the foundation, said people came to understand that bearded vultures feed on carrion, mainly the bones of dead animals. The reintroduction project also used exhibitions and media releases to explain the bird’s habits, and adopted the name “bearded vulture” instead of “lammergeier” to counter the mistaken association with lambs.

Since 1991, the birds have been released at various locations in the Alps, often in areas where sheep are kept. Hegglin said acceptance grew quickly as people saw that the vultures did not prey on sheep and could be observed in their natural surroundings.

The species lives at low densities, so its population needs a large area and sufficient genetic diversity to remain stable. The foundation coordinates releases and population monitoring across national borders. This autumn’s count is being conducted at the same time as by partners in Italy, France, Germany and Austria.

Hegglin said the supply of food has also improved. Wild ibex and chamois were scarce 100 to 150 years ago, but better hunting laws and protection have helped ungulate populations recover. The return of ibex followed reintroduction efforts that began in the canton of St Gallen in the early 20th century.

Bearded vultures are not a keystone species, Hegglin said, but their presence indicates that conditions in their habitat are suitable, including healthy ungulate populations and low levels of poaching and poisoning.