- The reintroduction programme of the cinereous vulture in the Iberian Highlands (Guadalajara & Cuenca, Spain) is led by the Department of Sustainable Development of the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha and the Alto Tajo Natural Park and the work is being carried out on the ground by Rewilding Spain and Terra Naturalis association.
- Spain is the most biodiverse country in Europe, home to 85% of plant and 50% of animal species. 85% of plant and 50% of animal species in the European Union. It is also the country with the largest surface of protected areas on the continent, with nearly 30% of its land mass under some type of protection.
Terabithia Press / EF / INFO: Rewilding Spain
Image: GPS devices allow to track the vultures’ movements for several years © Ricardo Rubio
After this latest release in one of the more amazing high areas in the center of Spain, 21 black vultures have now been set free within the framework of this programme, which was launched in 2020 and aims to bring this scavenger bird, which disappeared from the landscape as a resident species a century ago, back to the Alto Tajo and Serranía de Cuenca regions.
Unlike the griffon vulture (‘Gyps fulvus’), which nests on rocky walls, black vultures nest in the treetops, making it a species that is very sensitive to forest deterioration. The current protection status of the Alto Tajo and Serranía de Cuenca forests now provide the necessary conditions for the return of this necrophagous bird, whose feeding habits perfectly complement those of its griffon relatives.
The four black vulture specimens came from wildlife recovery centres and before their release they spent several months of adaptation in an aviary located in the Alto Tajo Natural Park. As well, a month before the release, the birds were equipped with GPS devices that allow to monitor their movements. These devices are very light, solar-powered transmitters that enable very precise tracking.The tagging task was carried out with the support of Víctor García Matarranz, a specialist from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), and his team.
- Essential adaptation period before the release
The adaptation period in the aviary “is essential to favour the settlement of black vultures in a new territory, as this is a species with a strong philopatry that tends to reproduce in the same place of birth’, explains Jorge Layna from Terra Naturalis, technical manager for this project. To facilitate their definitive settlement in the Iberian Highlands, six feeding points are managed by the programme. These are specific spots where the carcasses of livestock that die in the area are deposited. In addition, 21 nesting platforms have been built on trees, two of which have life-size decoys.
Next spring will be important for the programme, as it will be the first in which reintroduced specimens will reach breeding age, as Ángel Vela, managing director of the Alto Tajo Natural Park highlights: “The evolution of the programme has been satisfactory so far and now we are entering an important period. Next spring will be the first with the possibility of vultures breeding in the area, because some of them will reach the breeding age and this is the starting point for pair matching. There are several specimens already fixed in the area and some exogenous specimens coming from other breeding areas have also been spotted, which is promising and encouraging for the future”.
Pablo Schapira, Rewilding Spain’s team leader in the Iberian Highlands, stresses that “we are getting closer and closer to the return of the black vulture to the landscape, a very important goal to strengthen the essential role that necrophagous birds play in the ecosystem’s food chain. And this comeback is not only important from an ecological point of view, but also adds value to the territory from an ecotourism perspective.”
- Cartier for Nature Foundation
Cartier for Nature is a philanthropic initiative of Cartier that provides grants to conserve and restore ecosystems and biodiversity for the benefit of people and the planet. Founded in 2020, it seeks to address the current biodiversity crisis and drive positive change beyond its corporate sustainability commitments. This initiative complements the Maison’s philanthropic actions in areas such as human development, women’s empowerment, and arts and culture.
Supported by:
Produced by Rewilding Europe, this film focuses on the translocation of 10 Przewalski horses from the Monts D’Azur Biological Reserve in France to the Southern Iberian System. It also highlights the dedicated work of the Rewilding Spain team in the region, who work closely with local communities to promote both conservation and socio-economic development.
The end of October marked the second anniversary of Rewilding Spain in the Southern Iberian System, thanks to the support of Cartier for Nature, the Maison’s initiative dedicated to protecting biodiversity and healthy ecosystems so that, for present and future generations, nature remains a source of inspiration.
To celebrate this special occasion, Cartier presents “Breathing New Life into the Iberian Highlands,” a captivating short film by award-winning French filmmaker Emmanuel Rondeau, in collaboration with White Fox Pictures. This documentary offers an intimate visual journey that shows how Rewilding Spain is contributing to the restoration of the stunning landscape of the Southern Iberian Highlands.
Learn more
Discover the history of the release of these horses by reading the report by environmental journalist Eduardo Fernandez at the following link: Caballos prehistóricos en libertad en el Alto Tajo | Terabithia
