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Bearded Vultures Return: Alps Population Thrives
17 Sep
Summary
- Bearded vulture reintroduction began in 1986, with wild breeding confirmed by 1997.
- By 2021, an estimated 344 bearded vultures inhabited the Alps, including 65 breeding females.
- Population recovery is increasingly driven by wild-hatched birds, especially in the core Alps.
Bearded vultures have made a remarkable comeback in the Alps since a reintroduction program began in 1986. After disappearing decades prior, the first successful wild breeding was recorded in 1997. By 2021, the population had grown to an estimated 344 birds, with 65 females actively breeding, signifying a demographically self-sustaining recovery.
The resurgence is notably fueled by wild-hatched birds, which now outnumber reintroduced individuals in the core Alpine areas. This shift underscores the population's growing independence. However, the recovery's success is uneven, with the periphery facing slower growth and higher adult mortality.
Researchers attribute these disparities to environmental factors like food availability and landscape suitability, as well as human pressures such as poaching and poisoning. While the core population is largely self-sustaining, peripheral areas still benefit from continued releases. Monitoring and mitigation of threats like lead poisoning and wind-turbine collisions remain crucial for the long-term health of the species in the Alps.
