High Survival Estimates of Griffon Vultures (Gyps Fulvus Fulvus) in a Reintroduced Population

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Little is known of the life history of vultures. The reintroduction program of Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus fulvus) in the Causses (south of the Massif Central, France) and extensive monitoring by capture-mark-resighting of the released birds allowed us to obtain the first estimates of their survival. Adult survival rates are high (x = 0.987 ± SE of 0.006). A release effect on adult survival was detected (only 0.743 ± 0.006 survival during the first year after release). Young born in the wild (less than three years old) had an annual survival rate of 0.858 ± 0.039. Mortality causes and erratic behavior of immature birds are considered in order to assess the effectiveness of this reintroduction program. Our results indicate that reintroductions of vultures and similar species should use adults that have bred in captivity within the target area rather than juveniles or immatures.