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  • Greece

    Status and population trends of vultures in Greece

    Greece is the only Balkan country that still harbors breeding populations of all four European vulture species. However since the last status review in the mid 1980s all species have undergone a substantial shrinkage in their distribution and a dramatic decline in their population.
    Numbers have decreased except for the Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus) which holds a localized population of 20-27 breeding pairs in the Dadia National Park, in the Thrace region. On the contrary, the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) became extinct in 75% of its breeding range apart from the island of Crete where 5-6 breeding pairs still remain. Similarly the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), once common in certain areas, has experienced a large population decline (44-60%), presently numbering less than ca.70 breeding pairs. The griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) formerly widespread in central and northern Greece has suffered a considerable contraction of its range (50-60%) and a loss of its breeding groups (ca. 60%). Its current population size has been estimated at 170-200 breeding pairs with Crete being its main stronghold hosting more than 80% of them, while only Thrace, Western Greece and central Cyclades islands still hold other breeding colonies. Poisoning comprised the main mortality factor for all species devastating their numbers almost throughout the country. Additionally, land use changes which resulted in food shortage, habitat loss and direct persecution by man have kept their populations under continuous pressure.

    Stavros M. Xirouchakis & Rigas Tsiakiris
     

    Assessment and monitoring of the Egyptian vulture population in Greece

    2010

    1.Goal of the project
    Repeat the last year’s survey and expand the field research as much as possible, obtain more reliable data on breeding parameters.
    2.Objectives
    Objective 1: Fieldwork at the start of the breeding season in selected sites to confirm and expand last years information
    Objective 2: Monitor located nestsites at least once between June-July and in the fledgling period
    Objective 3: Select AFP sites in Zagori, Souli Mts and Mesollogi-Kleisoura Area
    Objective 4: Compilation of local traditions related to the Egyptian vulture
    Objective 5:  Production of posters
    Project coordinators: Lavrentis Sidiropoulos, Thodoros Kominos, Rigas Tsiakiris, Kalliopi Stara, Hellenic Ornithological Society.

    Assessment and monitoring of the Egyptian Vulture 2009

    2009

    1. Goal of the Project
     Continue the fieldwork on breeding site found in 2008 in Thraki, Epirus and Antichasia-Thessaly. Compile an international project for halting the decline of species based on the implementation of the international Action Plan.
    2. Objectives
     Objective 1: Survey at least the three breeding strongholds
    Objective 2: Location of breeding pairs
    Objective 3: Information on threats
    Objective 4: Public awareness based on the cultural significance of the species
    Objective 5: International cooperation
    Project coordinator: Lavrentis Sidiropoulos and Rigas Tsiakiris, Hellenic Ornithological Society – BirdLife Greece

    Rapid Assessment of the Egyptian Vulture Population in Greece

    2008

    1. Goal of the project:
    Survey at least the three breeding strongholds, locate breeding pairs and compile all information available on threats 
    2. Objectives
    Objective 1: Survey at least the three breeding strongholds: Antihasia, Eprius and Thraki region
    Objective 2: Location of breeding pairs
    Objective 3: Information on Threats 
    Project coordinator: Lavrentis Sidiropoulos and Rigas Tsiakiris, Hellenic Ornithological Society – BirdLife Greece

    Transboundary Public Awareness, Conservation and Monitoring Actions for the 4 Vulture Species in the Mountain Range of Almopia-Kavadartzi

    2008

    1. Goal of the project:
    Continuation of the cooperation throughout the border mountain range, which is essential for the preservation of vultures and the environment generally
    2. Objectives
    Objective 1: Increase the capability of human resources of Chrysaetos team, publicity for the area and the project and continue the established cooperation with other NGOs and environmental organisations, intensify the public awareness actions especially in Thessaloniki
    Objective 2: Continuation of the supplementary feeding in Agiasma gorge, clarify the breeding success of the EV in the area, clarify the status of the Bearded and Black Vultures and acquaint further insight of Kaimaktsalan Mt.
    Project coordinator: Pantelis Konstantinou, Chrysaetos Environmental Group of Almopia

    Trans-boundary Public Awareness, Conservation and Monitoring Actions for the Four Vulture Species in the Mountain Range of Almopia-Kavadartzi 2007

    2007

    1. Goal of the Project
    Increase the capability of human recourses of Chrysaetos team and establish the cooperation with other NGOs and environmental organisations, intensify the public awareness actions especially in Thessaloniki, continuation of the supplementary feeding in Agiasma gorge,
    clarify the breeding success of the EV in the area, clarify the status of the Bearded Vultures and acquaint further insight of Kaimaktsalan Mt.
    2. Objectives
    Objective 1: Public Awareness Information events and campaign, including organisation of volunteer camp on Kaimaktsalan Mt 
    Objective 2: Conservation Management Supplementary feeding in Mariovo, FYROM and Pinovo Mt, GR
    Objective 3: Monitoring of the trans-border Mt range
    Project coordinator: L Sidiropoulos, R Tsiakiris, P Konstantinou, Chrysaetos Environmental Group of Almopia & E Lisichanets, FWFF Macedonia

    Transboundary public awareness and monitoring actions of the four vulture species in the mountain range of Aridea (GR) and Kavadartzi (FYROM) 2006

    2006

    1. Goal of the Project
    Continuation of cross boundary co-operation for the conservation of four vulture species
    2. Objectives
    Objective 1: Public Awareness
    Objective 2: Conservation management
    Objective 3: Monitoring
    Project coordinator: Chrysaetos (Greece), FWFF-Macedonia (Fund of the Wild Flora and Fauna)

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