Latest Articles from Biodiversity Data Journal Latest 1 Articles from Biodiversity Data Journal https://bdj.pensoft.net/ Fri, 29 Mar 2024 17:46:39 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://bdj.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from Biodiversity Data Journal https://bdj.pensoft.net/ Re-introduction of Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) in the Eastern Balkan Mountains, Bulgaria – completion of the establishment phase 2010-2020 https://bdj.pensoft.net/article/66363/ Biodiversity Data Journal 9: e66363

DOI: 10.3897/BDJ.9.e66363

Authors: Elena Kmetova–Biro, Emilian Stoynov, Ivelin Ivanov, Hristo Peshev, Simeon Marin, Lachezar Bonchev, Iliyan Stoev, George Stoyanov, Zlatka Nikolova, Nadya Vangelova, Dimitar Parvanov, Atanas Grozdanov

Abstract: The current study presents and analyses the results from the recently completed 11-year-establishment phase, following the start of the local re-introduction of the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) in Kotlenska Planina SPA and Sinite Kamani Nature Park in the Eastern Balkan Mountains of Bulgaria in the period 2010-2020. As a result of the re-introduction efforts and release of 153 individuals, the Griffon Vulture has been successfully reproducing again in the Eastern Balkan Mountains since 2016, after more than 40-50 years of absence. At 2020, the local population consists of some 80 local and up to 80-115 birds, together with sojourn individuals. Amongst them, 23-25 breeding pairs, located in five different colonies and two more frequently used roosting sites. The current average productivity remains relatively low: 0.41 fledglings/territorial pair and fledging success of 0.61 fledglings/breeding pair between 2016 and 2020, but shows a trend to increase with time and the growing experience of the young locally re-introduced population. The mortality confirmed between 2010-2021 accounts for 33%, mostly due to electrocution as a post-release effect in the first six months following their release. Our data show that the newly established population in the Eastern Balkan Mountains mostly forages on feeding sites, having a comparatively small 95% home range: 281.88 ± 91 km2 and 50% core area: 6.6 ± 2.28 km2 (range 4.7–8.5 km2). We, therefore, consider the establishment phase of the re-introduction of Griffon Vulture in this particular site as successfully completed, but management should continue. Furthermore, the area of the Eastern Balkan Mountains can currently be regarded as a "source" for the species within the source-sink population regulation concept in the national and Balkan context.

HTML

XML

PDF

]]>
Research Article Tue, 20 Apr 2021 18:00:00 +0300