European Rewilding Network

Reintroduction of Vultures in Madonie, Sicily

Cirlce of Life in the Rhodope Mountains_Sofia premiere
Georgi Kurtev
Egyptian and Griffon vultures_Rhodope Mountains rewilding landscape
Georgi Chakarov

In 2021, a rehabilitation and acclimatization aviary for griffon vultures was built in Isnello municipality, which has its territory within the Madonie Natural Regional Park. Between September 2021 and February 2023, 31 griffon vultures were found debilitated in the wild in other areas in Sicily; these were housed and cared for exactly in Isnello aviary. After the necessary care, rehabilitation and acclimatization, 30 of such vultures were released in the vicinity of the aviary, facing  the cliffs of Mt. Carbonara. Those deemed suitable as a possible nesting site, bringing back griffon vultures in the Madonie Park. Two of the released specimens were fitted with GPS devices. To support these, and previously reintroduced specimens, a supplementary feeding station has been set up, with almost daily replenishment. Meat supply is mainly from carcasses of wild boar and fallow deer that are culled, according to quotas following the control plan developed by the Madonie Natural Regional Park. All animals are shot with non-toxic lead-free bullets. In February 2023, 16 griffon vultures were brought from Spain, which are currently housed, for a period of acclimatization, in the Isnello aviary and will be released in the next  months, in the same geographical area. Others griffon vultures will be released over the next few years, again from Spain by GREFA, for a total of 60 griffon vulture to be released. Some of these will carry a GPS tag. 

This work has been done through the collaboration of several partners including: Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily (IZS Sicily), ARDEA (Association for research, dissemination and environmental education) and Madonie Natural Regional Park.

Specification Description Achievements Exchange
Project: Reintroduction of Vultures in Madonie, Sicily
Region: SICILY PALERMO, AVIAR: MUNICIPALITY OF ISNELLO (PROVINCE OF PALERMO) in the MADONIE NATURAL REGIONAL PARK
Type of project: Supporting wildlife comeback
Aim and vision: The aim is to bring back griffon vultures in the Madonie Regional Natural Park, which is located on the northern coast of Sicily, about 70 kilometres east of the city of Palermo. The species disappeared from the park in the 1950s.
Health services necessary to guarantee the essential levels of hygiene, veterinary public health, and animal welfare.
Uniqueness of the project: Returning extinct vultures to the Madonie Mountains and restoring the trophic web.
Other activities: Community involved, Eco tourism, Education, Research
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on: Establish a griffon vulture colony in the Madonie Mountains, reinforce the colony in the Nebrodi Mountains, release at least 20 Egyptian vulture specimens, release at least 4 bearded vulture specimens.
Results so far: At the feeding station in front of the acclimatization aviaries, 4 to 12 griffon vultures are steadily present. Another 15 griffon vultures arrived from Spain and are kept in the aviary for acclimatization.
Inspirational value: IZSSi is a public institution with many experts and professional staff who can share their deep knowledge on animal welfare and network with other ERN initiatives to activate measures to prevent outbreaks of diseases affecting wildlife. Moreover, the IZSSi can be a significant showcase for similar rewilding initiatives in Sicily and share its experience with future applicants.
Experience you would like to share: Sharing everything related to the preservation of vultures.
Experience you would like to gain: Everything related to the preservation of vultures.
Map
Country
Italy
Start year
2021
End year
2030
Size (ha)
16100
Area type
Forest-grassland mosaic, Freshwater lakes, Mediterranean vegetation, Mountainous
Natural process
Predation
Flagship species
Fallow deer, Vulture
Reintroduction of Vultures in Madonie, Sicily
Cirlce of Life in the Rhodope Mountains_Sofia premiere
Georgi Kurtev
Egyptian and Griffon vultures_Rhodope Mountains rewilding landscape
Georgi Chakarov

In 2021, a rehabilitation and acclimatization aviary for griffon vultures was built in Isnello municipality, which has its territory within the Madonie Natural Regional Park. Between September 2021 and February 2023, 31 griffon vultures were found debilitated in the wild in other areas in Sicily; these were housed and cared for exactly in Isnello aviary. After the necessary care, rehabilitation and acclimatization, 30 of such vultures were released in the vicinity of the aviary, facing  the cliffs of Mt. Carbonara. Those deemed suitable as a possible nesting site, bringing back griffon vultures in the Madonie Park. Two of the released specimens were fitted with GPS devices. To support these, and previously reintroduced specimens, a supplementary feeding station has been set up, with almost daily replenishment. Meat supply is mainly from carcasses of wild boar and fallow deer that are culled, according to quotas following the control plan developed by the Madonie Natural Regional Park. All animals are shot with non-toxic lead-free bullets. In February 2023, 16 griffon vultures were brought from Spain, which are currently housed, for a period of acclimatization, in the Isnello aviary and will be released in the next  months, in the same geographical area. Others griffon vultures will be released over the next few years, again from Spain by GREFA, for a total of 60 griffon vulture to be released. Some of these will carry a GPS tag. 

This work has been done through the collaboration of several partners including: Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Sicily (IZS Sicily), ARDEA (Association for research, dissemination and environmental education) and Madonie Natural Regional Park.

Map
Country
Italy
Start year
2021
End year
2030
Size (ha)
16100
Area type
Forest-grassland mosaic, Freshwater lakes, Mediterranean vegetation, Mountainous
Natural process
Predation
Flagship species
Fallow deer, Vulture
Specification
Project: Reintroduction of Vultures in Madonie, Sicily
Region: SICILY PALERMO, AVIAR: MUNICIPALITY OF ISNELLO (PROVINCE OF PALERMO) in the MADONIE NATURAL REGIONAL PARK
Description
Type of project: Supporting wildlife comeback
Aim and vision: The aim is to bring back griffon vultures in the Madonie Regional Natural Park, which is located on the northern coast of Sicily, about 70 kilometres east of the city of Palermo. The species disappeared from the park in the 1950s.
Health services necessary to guarantee the essential levels of hygiene, veterinary public health, and animal welfare.
Uniqueness of the project: Returning extinct vultures to the Madonie Mountains and restoring the trophic web.
Other activities: Community involved, Eco tourism, Education, Research
Achievements
Results you aim to accomplish in 10 years from now on: Establish a griffon vulture colony in the Madonie Mountains, reinforce the colony in the Nebrodi Mountains, release at least 20 Egyptian vulture specimens, release at least 4 bearded vulture specimens.
Results so far: At the feeding station in front of the acclimatization aviaries, 4 to 12 griffon vultures are steadily present. Another 15 griffon vultures arrived from Spain and are kept in the aviary for acclimatization.
Exchange
Inspirational value: IZSSi is a public institution with many experts and professional staff who can share their deep knowledge on animal welfare and network with other ERN initiatives to activate measures to prevent outbreaks of diseases affecting wildlife. Moreover, the IZSSi can be a significant showcase for similar rewilding initiatives in Sicily and share its experience with future applicants.
Experience you would like to share: Sharing everything related to the preservation of vultures.
Experience you would like to gain: Everything related to the preservation of vultures.
Reintroduction of Vultures in Madonie, Sicily
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