LIFE GypConnect - Restoration of connections between the Alpine and Pyrenean populations of bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)

Implementation period: September 2015 to July 2021

Implementation area: Alps, the Massif Central and the Pyrenees (from the Pre-Alps to the Pyrenees via the Southern regions of the Massif Central)

Target Vulture species: Bearded Vulture

The LIFE GypConnect aims to establish a breeding population of bearded vultures in the Massif Central, as well as in the Pre-Alps, through reintroduction, and promoting dispersal movements between the Alps and the Pyrenean population.

This project is part of the VCF strategy to restore the species in western Europe, now that the Alpine population is firmly re-established, and with two pairs now breeding in in Andalucía (following extinction there in the 80s, and the start of the reintroduction project 10 years ago), this project aims to promote movements of the species between Iberia and the Alps, thus promoting gene flow, which will also help increasing the genetic diversity of the alpine population, and thus accelerate the end of the reintroduction project there.

Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO) (leading partner), Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF), LPO Aude, Parc National des Cévennes, The Vautours-en-Baronnies Association, Parc Naturel Régional du Vercors, Université Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, Centre National d’Informations Toxicologiques Vétérinaires, ENEDIS

• Update the protocol and select the release sites;
• Prepare a protocol and recommendations on natural rendering and “specific Bearded Vulture feeding sites”;
• Bearded vulture captive breeding programme and release;
• Rescue and recovery of birds in distress;
• Monitoring of released birds through tagging and movement analysis, and through genetic monitoring of the population.

For more information, visit the GypConnect website