2019 DRAFT European Vulture Long Term Management Plan For Review Coordinators July 2019 - Isg

DRAFT for Review ESB keeper and EEP coordinators
Commented [EF|EEO1]: Note in the document that the

Long-term Management Plan Species Committee is the Management and the Advisory board, and
add the list of names.
for the
Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) ESB
European black vulture (Aegypius monachus) EEP
and Bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) EEP
Picture
Of the 3 species
ESB Keeper and EEP Coordinators

Eurasian griffon vulture Iñigo Sanchez ZooBotáanico Jerez
European black vulture Marleen Huyghe ZOO Antwerpen Commented [MH2]: /Zoo Planckendael
Hans Frey Vulture Conservation

Bearded vulture
Alex Llopis Foundation
Population Biologists
Kristin Leus and Elmar Fienieg, EAZA Executive Office
10 July 2019
Commented [MH3]: Eurasian black vulture : studbook is from
Planckendael so the logo should be the one of Planckendael
DRAFT for Review by ESB keeper and EEP coordinators
Summary
This document is a management plan for the Eurasian griffon (Gyps fulvus) ESB, European black
(Aegypius monachus) EEP and Bearded (Gypaetus barbatus) vulture EEP and includes roles and some
actions for the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) EEP. The European vultures are globally not
threatened, except for the Endangered Egyptian vulture (Table 1, In situ status). However, the IUCN
status of these species is not thought to resemble their sensitivity to catastrophes, such as wide-scale
die-offs due to poisoned carcasses set for livestock predators or the use of anti-inflammatory drugs for
cattle, such as Diclofenac (Inskipp et al. 2016). Europe is seen as a relatively stable region for vultures,
with a lower chance on catastrophes. Therefore, an important component of their conservation
strategy is aimed to maintain and build up healthy wild populations of these vulture species in Europe.
The Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF) is the main organisation overseeing vulture conservation
in Europe, working together with EAZA on the management of ex situ populations and in situ
conservation organisations, such as Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO) Grands Causses. Commented [MH4]: and Green Balkans and Fund for Wild Flora
and Fauna in Bulgaria
For the specific institutional holdings of the Eurasian griffon vulture ESB, European black vulture EEP
and Bearded vulture EEP programmes, please see Appendix A.
Table 1 Demographic status of Eurasian griffon ESB and European black and Bearded vulture EEP populations.
IUCN Red list Participating
Programme status*4 Population size (N)*1 Institutions*2 Currentness data*3
Eurasian griffon Least Concern 191.176.31 (398) 83 25 August 2017 Commented [IS5]: 225.191.14 (460)
vulture Commented [IS6]: 85
European black Near Threatened 83.75.12 (170) 44 12 August 2017 Commented [IS7]: 31 December 2018
vulture
Bearded vulture Near Threatened 77.91.2 (170) 43 31 December 2018
*1 Current EEP population size shown as Males.Females.Unknown Sex (Total). *2 Institutions currently participating in the
programme. *3 Currentness of data at the time of analysis. *4 Global status of species on IUCN red list (Birdlife 2016, 2017). Commented [MH8]: updated figures for the cinereous vulture
are : 77.76.11 (164) in 43 institutions on 12/08/2019
The role of all vulture programmes includes to

• Acquire knowledge on the species biology to build up knowledge on nutrition, behaviour,
reproduction biology, etc. to help inform in situ conservation actions.
• Continue to develop Best Practice Guidelines on ex situ management, because this allows
recovery centres to improve the way they treat and maintain injured wild birds.
The role of the Eurasian griffon vulture ESB is to

• Be a charismatic species that attracts visitors and to convey educational messages that
positively affect the conservation status of all vulture species in the wild.
• Function as a demographically stable, genetically healthy and behaviourally competent
insurance population that can function as source for reintroduction.
• Gain husbandry skills (function as model species) for keeping more threatened (Gyps) vulture
species.
• Be used in research that aims to counter threats to any vulture species in the wild.
The role of the European black vulture EEP is to
1

insurance population that can function as source for reintroduction.
• Function as source for reintroduction projects, mainly to establish new breeding sites at
strategic geographical as described in the species’ action plan (Vulture MSAP 2017).
• Generate funding for in situ and ex situ conservation of the European black vulture.
• Generate awareness of the species to the public and relevant stakeholders such as farmers
and schools about European black vulture conservation, ideally in collaboration with in situ
partners.
• Be used in research that aims to counter threats to the species in the wild, such as by testing
tools and methodologies.
The role of the Bearded vulture EEP is to

• Provide individuals for reintroduction in former distribution areas, efforts are aimed to build
self-sustaining free-living populations that aid in re-establishing the historical gene flow
between North Africa, Europe and Asia by connecting existing isolated autochthonous and
reintroduced European bearded vulture populations.
insurance population that can function as source for reintroduction. In particular, function as
a genetic reserve, preserving the genetic variation of European autochthonous populations,
such as those of the Pyrenees, Corsica and Crete.
• Educate zoo visitors and raise public awareness about the species and the ex situ and in situ
conservation efforts that are being undertaken in Europe to help build core support for vulture
conservation.
The role of the Egyptian vulture EEP is to

• Gain knowledge through research about the Egyptian vulture that can be used to plan ex situ
and in situ conservation strategies. Especially having in mind that Egyptian vultures are the
only migratory vulture species in Europe.
• Function as a behaviourally competent, demographically stable and genetically healthy
insurance EEP population for reintroduction aimed to establish new populations, restock
existing populations or develop release strategies.
• Raise public awareness on the threats that vultures experience, especially those that are
particular to the Egyptian vulture, such as the additional threats and challenges for migratory
species.
Goals, Management strategies and conclusions

 All European vulture EEPs will focus on improving communication between in situ and ex situ Commented [IS9]: I think this also is interesting for the ESB so I
suggest to change EEPS for programmes
partners
 All European vulture programmes will focus on improving institutional compliance with
recommendations.
 Releases always needs approval/agreement of the relevant Coordinator/Studbook Keeper and
should be in accordance with IUCN Reintroduction Guidelines.
2
 For all European vulture EEPs, but especially for the European black and Egyptian vulture EEP,
biobanking is an important focus point.
 The use of birds in demonstrations will not be allowed if this negatively impacts either the goals or
roles of the relevant ESB or EEP, or the welfare of the birds used in the demonstration.
 The Eurasian griffon vulture ESB is demographically stable and genetically very robust, especially
as long as rehabilitated Eurasian griffon vultures keep entering the population frequently. Only
EAZA members will be included in the EEP, which is planned to grow from 398 individuals to 450
individuals in five years. All pairs are recommended to breed, unless communicated otherwise.
The EEP coordinator and Species Committee will determine whether chicks are used to meet the
EEP’s needs or are provided to release projects. The needs of programme participants are currently
given higher priority to be able to fulfil the educational role of the programme. The population will
not be managed by mean kinship, because this is not necessary for maintaining a high level of
genetic diversity, but inbreeding coefficients and known ancestry will be taken into account when
assigning breeding pairs.
 The European black vulture EEP can potentially easily fulfil its role as genetic reserve. However,
with the current population parameters, the population size is projected to start to crash.
Especially in the coming 15 years, it will be very challenging to maintain the population size at the
target of at least 170 birds. To improve this, the aim is to obtain funding to employ a person to full-
time work on this and set up a specialised breeding centre to increase the breeding success of pairs
with low breeding success and where husbandry skills and knowledge can be acquired. The Commented [MH10]: , get more founders to breed
programme also aims to hold a workshop on European black vulture husbandry and will further
develop the Best Practice Guidelines. On the other hand, three to six chicks will be provided
annually to a release project in Bulgaria. The programme will try to compensate for this by
importing rehabilitated European black vultures from rescue centres.
 The Bearded vulture EEP is currently demographically very robust and genetically healthy. It is
projected that the population can in the short-term grow from its current 170 individuals to its
target population size of 200 individuals while providing a large number of chicks to release
projects. The programme’s management strategies were evaluated and found to work well.
 These populations will be re-evaluated annually by the relevant Studbook Keeper or EEP
coordinator and Species Committee.
3
Table of Contents
Summary 1
Acknowledgements 5
Prioritised Actions 7
In situ status 9
Ex situ status 9
Demographic summary 9
Demographic comparison 13
Genetic Summary 14
Roles 16
Goals and management strategies 17
Compliance 17
Communication and integration of in situ and ex situ conservation efforts 18
Biobanking 18
Demonstrations 18
Eurasian griffon vulture ESB goals and management strategy 19
European black vulture EEP goals and management strategy 20
Bearded vulture EEP goals and management strategy 21
Conclusions for Eurasian griffon vulture ESB, European black vulture EEP and Bearded vulture EEP 23
Appendix A Institutional holdings 24
Appendix B Summary of Data Exports 28
Appendix C Animals Excluded from Genetic Analysis 30
Appendix D Life Tables 31
Appendix E Resources 36
Appendix F Definitions 37
4
Acknowledgements
Thank you to everyone that attended the Eurasian griffon vulture ESB, European black vulture EEP and
Bearded vulture EEP long-term management planning meeting on 28, 29 and 30 August 2017 and
special thanks to ZooBotáanico Jerez, Jerez de la Frontera, Spain for hosting the meeting.
This work is supported by the European Union LIFE NGO funding programme.
The European Union is not responsible for the views displayed in publications
and/or in conjunction with the activities for which the grant is used.
Meeting Attendees:
Iñigo Sáanchez Eurasian griffon vulture ESB Keeper; ZooBotáanico de Jerez

Marleen Huyghe European black vulture EEP Coordinator, ZOO AntwerpenPlanckendael
Hans Frey Bearded Vulture EEP Coordinator, Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF)
Alex Llopis Bearded Vulture EEP Coordinator, VCF
José Tavares Director, VCF

Rafael Arenas Natural Environment Management Service, Andalusian regional government
Raphaël Neouze Head of International Programs, Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux
Jovan Andevski Vulture projects coordinator, VCF
Franziska Lorcher Science and Conservation Coordinator, VCF
Mark Habben Former EAZA Falconiformes and Strigiformes TAG Chair, ZSL
Anton Vaidl Egyptian vulture EEP Coordinator and European black vulture Species
Committee, Prague Zoo
José Kok European black vulture EEP Species Committee, Ouwehand Zoo (Rhenen)
Phillipe Helsen Scientific advisor European black vulture EEP, ZOO Antwerpen
Kristin Leus Population Biologist, EAZA Executive Office
William van Lint Liaison for EAZA Bird TAGs, EAZA Executive Office
Elmar Fienieg Population Biologist, EAZA Executive Office
Cover Photo credit: ©
ESB Studbook keeper / EEP Coordinators

ESB/EEP Studbook keeper / Institution Email Telephone
Coordinator
Eurasian Iñigo Sáanchez ZooBotáanico de i.sanchez@aytojerez.es
griffon vulture Jerez
European Marleen Huyghe ZOO Marleen.Huyghe@kmda.org
black vulture AntwerpenPlanckend
ael
Bearded Hans Frey / VCF h.frey@4vultures.org
vulture Alex Llopis a.llopis@4vultures.org
5
EAZA Falconiformes and Strigiformes TAG Chair and Vice-chair

Contact Name Email Institution Role
Kirsi Pynnonen- Kirsi.Pynnonen@hel.fi Helsinki Zoo TAG Vice-chair
Oudman
Joost Lammers curator@avifauna.nl Avifauna Vulture subgroup
leader
Eurasian griffon vulture ESB advisors

As an ESB, this programme does not have a Species Committee.
European black vulture EEP Species Committee, advisors, etc.
Contact Name Email Institution Role

Campbell Murn Campbell@hawkconservancy.org Hawk Conservancy Trust
Rudy Wedlarski r.wedlarski@bioparc-zoo.fr Bioparc de Doué la Fontaine
Dirk Ullrich d.ullrich@alpenzoo.at Alpenzoo Innsbruck
Brice Lefaux brice.lefaux@mulhouse-alsace.fr Parc Zoologique et Botanique de
Mulhouse
Dirk Wewers wevers@allwetterzoo.de Westfälischer Zoologischer
Species Committee
Garten Münster
Adela Obracajova obracajova@zoo-ostrava.cz Zoologická zahrada Ostrava
Anton Vaidl vaidl@zoopraha.cz Zoologická zahrada Praha
José Kok jose.kok@ouwehand.nl Ouwehands Dierenpark
Guna Vitola guna.vitola@rigazoo.lv Riga Zoo
Vladimir Fainstein vladimir.fainstein@tallinnzoo.ee Tallinna Loomaaed
Hans Frey h.frey@4vultures.org VCF
Veterinary advisors
Eric Bureau eric.bureau@parcdesoiseaux.com Parc des Oiseaux
Philippe Helsen philippe.helsen@kmda.org ZOO Antwerpen Scientific advisor
Bearded vulture EEP Species Committee, advisors, etc.
Contact Name Institution
Boris Barov Biodiversity Conservation Partnership of BirdLife Europe
Anna Baumann Goldau zoo
Daniel Hegglin SWILD
Raphaël Néouze Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO)
Hans Pohlmann Boskalis
Norbert Schäffer Landesbund für Vogelschutz
EAZA Executive office
Contact Name Email Role
William van Lint William.van.lint@eaza.net EAZA Executive Office Bird TAGs Liaison
Kristin Leus kristin.leus@eaza.net
Population Biology Advisors
Elmar Fienieg elmar.fienieg@eaza.net
Citation: Sanchez I., Huyghe M., Frey H., Llopis A., Leus K., Fienieg E. 2019. Eurasian griffon vulture
(Gyps fulvus) ESB, European black vulture (Aegypius monachus) EEP and Bearded vulture (Gypaetus
barbatus) EEP Long-term Management Plan. ZooBotanico de Jerez, Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp
and Vulture Conservation Foundation.
6
Prioritised Actions
Actions for European vulture ESB/EEPs participants
 For those institutions holding birds with unknown sex, make sure to sex your birds. No bird should
have unknown sex after 12 months of being at an institution.
 Opportunistically obtain biomaterials for banking, such as feathers and blood.
Protocols are available on the Falconiformes and Strigiformes TAG website.
 All (potential) breeding pairs are encouraged to breed, unless communicated otherwise by the EEP
Coordinator or studbook keeper.
 For European black vulture EEP participants especially, increasing breeding success in the
programme is essential for the programme.
 Given the social nature of Eurasian griffon vultures it is not recommended to keep single birds. So
institutions keeping a single bird are encouraged to add a company bird or further increase the
group size, or make the bird available for a transfer to another institution.
 All holders are expected to working according to the relevant ESB/EEP working procedures as
included in the Population Management Manual.
 The use of ESB/EEP animals in demonstrations cannot interfere with the breeding programme
recommendations. The breeding programme must take priority over the needs of an individual
member’s need for a demonstration animal (EAZA Guidelines on the use of animals in public
demonstrations, 2014).
Actions for European vulture ESB Keeper/EEP Coordinators, Species Committee members and VCF
 Work on a procedure to feed news on the four European vulture species to VCF and feed VCF/in
situ news to the TAG and to the EAZA members holding one or more European vulture species
(TAG Chair).
 Develop Best Practice Guidelines by
 Revise existing guidelines into Best Practice Guidelines (BPG) – according to BPGs template
and procedure - including the most recent husbandry knowledge.
 Frequently distribute the Best Practice Guidelines and rules to abide to, to programme
participants, since there is always some change-over of staff in institution. Particular
attention should be paid to distribute these documents to new participants (new EAZA
members holding the species)
 Keep a workshop to further develop and disseminate European black vulture husbandry
knowledge. Ideally this is held in an example institution holding European black vulture
and would focus on housing conditions and feeding. Prague Zoo volunteered to host this
workshop (European black vulture EEP Coordinator).
 Improving the presentation of these guidelines to facilitate easy use by the holders,
consider the model of the Bearded vulture EEP while keeping the BPG template and
procedure in mind.
 Further develop the idea of employing a person to work full-time on improving European black
vulture husbandry in the EEP and on establishing a specialised breeding centre (European black
vulture EEP Coordinator, José Tavarez, Alex Llopis, TAG Chair, William van Lint).
 Try to integrate the Bearded vulture EEP more into the EAZA framework (official approval non-
EAZA institutions, follow up on Coordinator succession in consultation with the TAG- find
7
institutional support EAZA member and/or considering VCF to become an Associated member of
EAZA (conservation based). Furthermore, when deemed useful, it can be investigated whether the
Bearded vulture Access database can be migrated to ZIMS for Studbooks (Bearded vulture EEP
Coordinator/William van Lint/TAG).
 Review the formalised and non-formalised non-EAZA EEP participants to determine if additional
institutions need to be formalised (such as EAZA Candidates for Membership) or whether any of
the formalised participants are still valid (European black and Bearded vulture EEP coordinators)
 More frequently attend each other’s meetings; EAZA colleagues attend yearly VCF advisory group
meetings, Bearded vulture annual meetings (first half of November) and annual meetings of the
“Reunion des groupes vautours” and vice versa VCF colleagues more frequently attend EAZA
meetings, such as the EAZA Annual conference, the EAZA Bird TAG mid-years meeting, the EAZA
conservation Forum or the EAZA Reintroduction working group.
8
In situ status
The European vultures are listed as following on the IUCN Red list (Birdlife 2016, 2017):
 Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus): Endangered globally and in Europe.
 Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus): Least Concern globally and in Europe
 European black vulture (Aegypius monachus): Globally Near Threatened, Least Concern in
Europe
 Bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus): Globally Near Threatened, Vulnerable in Europe.
However, the status of these species is not thought to resemble the sensitivity of these populations to
catastrophes. Large and healthy vulture populations have collapsed due to wide-scale use of poisoned
carcasses set for livestock predators and anti-inflammatory drugs for cattle, such as Diclofenac (Inskipp
et al. 2016). Other threats for the species include collision with powerlines and wind turbines, habitat
degradation and a decline in food availability due to a decline in wild and domestic ungulates (Birdlife
2017). Europe is seen as a relatively stable region for vultures, with a lower chance on catastrophes.
Therefore, an important component of their conservation strategy is aimed to maintain these stable
populations and further increase healthy wild populations of these vulture species in Europe.
The European vulture programmes of EAZA work closely together with the Vulture Conservation
Foundation (VCF), which is the main organisation connecting the different organisations and
reintroduction projects that are working on the conservation of European vultures. This includes many
organisations that are active in different countries, for example the Ligue pour la Protection des
Oiseaux (LPO) Grands Causses in France and Green Balkans and Fund for Wild Flora and Fauna in
Bulgaria. The VCF is also running the Bearded vulture EEP, where EAZA is running the Eurasian griffon
vulture ESB and European black vulture EEP.
Ex situ status
For this plan, the EAZA ex situ populations of Eurasian griffon, European black and Bearded vulture
were analysed. In addition, the status of the Egyptian vulture EEP was discussed, as the fourth
European vulture that is of the highest conservation concern. For the Egyptian vulture, roles and some
goals and actions were identified during the meeting. These are reported in this document. A complete
Long-term Management Plan for this species will be developed separately in the future. For an
overview of the institutions included in the Eurasian griffon, European black and Bearded vulture
programmes and institutional holdings, please see Appendix A. Individuals excluded from genetic
analysis, as considered post-reproductive in this case, can be found in Appendix C.
Demographic summary
Table 2 Population size of the Eurasian griffon vulture ESB, European black and Bearded vulture EEP.
Population size (N)*1 Institutions*2 Currentness data*3
Eurasian griffon vulture 191.176.31 (398) 83 25 August 2017 Commented [IS11]: See update above
European black vulture 83.75.12 (170) 44 12 August 2017
Bearded vulture 77.91.2 (170) 43 31 December 2018
*1 Current EEP population size shown as Males.Females.Unknown Sex (Total). *2 Institutions currently
participating in the EEP. *3 Currentness of data at the time of analysis.
9
Demographic status Eurasian griffon vulture ESB

The Eurasian griffon vulture ESB population has a population
size of 225.191.44176.31 (460398) individuals. First year
mortality is around 21% (N= 330), life expectancy is
estimated to be 25.5 years and the generation time is 11.9
years. Hatches are highly seasonal, with 91% of births
occurring from March to May.
The earliest reproduction is at the age of six years and the
oldest age achieved is 58 years old, by a male that is
currently, at time of writing (January 2018), still living (See
Appendix D for Life tables).
Since 1970, the population size has increased continuously

(Figure 2). Although the population’s age distribution is not
perfectly pyramid shaped (Figure 1), it is deemed
demographically stable with its large size and positive
projected growth rate (λ= 1.009), based on mortality and
fecundity rates observed between 1990 and now. This
means that the population is expected to achieve a hatch Figure 1: Age distribution of the
rate higher than 12 hatches annually, as needed to increase Eurasian griffon vulture ESB
the population size. Continuing the rate observed in the last population.
five years, around three to four rehabilitated Eurasian
griffon vultures are expected to enter the population
annually as well. Therefore, the population is expected to
grow at a reasonable pace in the coming years, from its
current size of 398 individuals to ~460 individuals in five
years. Of course, the growth rate will be lower if a number
of chicks are sent to reintroduction projects.
Figure 2: Census, by origin, for the entire Eurasian griffon vulture ESB since 1970.
10
Demographic status European black vulture EEP

The European black vulture EEP population has a population
size of 83.75.12 (170) individuals. First year mortality is 38%
(N=129). Because most birds die at an age before their
reproductive peak, the median life expectancy (17.7 years) is
shorter than the generation time (19.5 years). It is possible
that fecundity at younger ages is currently underestimated
because relatively few birds of ages 5-10 years have been
able to benefit from recent husbandry improvements (Figure
3). Hatches are highly seasonal, with 94% of births from April
to June. The earliest reproduction is at the age of six years
and the oldest age achieved is 47 years old, by a male that is
currently, at time of writing (January 2018), still living (See
Appendix D for Life tables).
The population size has historically gradually increased in

size due to a combination of captive hatches and imports of
Figure 3: Age distribution of the
rehabilitated birds (Figure 4). Since 2005 however, the Cinereous vulture EEP population.
population size has stabilised. The population’s age
distribution (Figure 3) is not pyramid shaped, with age classes between 10 years and 25 years being
relatively overrepresented. Because fecundity seems to drop after the age of 27 years for females, the
coming 15 years a depression in the potential fecundity of the population is expected with a projected
negative growth rate (λ= 0.986). Due to aging of the population, the death rate may slightly increase
in the coming decade.
If husbandry practices since 1985 would continue into the future and no birds would be imported or
exported (e.g. reintroductions, birds leaving the EEP population for a variety of reasons), the
population size is projected to crash, with fewer than 120 birds left in 20 years and fewer than 20 birds
left in 100 years. It cannot yet be evaluated how husbandry improvements made in recent years and
in the coming years will impact these projections. However, even if fecundity rates could be improved
with 30% compared to the current level, still a significant drop in population size would be expected.
In this case, population size would start to drop in eight years’ time and would still decrease to 85
individuals in 100 years. Increasing the population size would require around six adult birds to be added
to the population every five years, in addition to a 30% increase in fecundity through husbandry
improvements. In summary, a significant improvement in husbandry and/or import of birds is essential
to avoid a population crash, especially if chicks are also used for reintroductions.
Figure 4: Census, by origin, for the entire European black vulture EEP since 1970.
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Demographic status Bearded vulture EEP

The Bearded vulture EEP population has a population
size of 77.91.2 (170) individuals. First year mortality is
32% (N=270). Hatches in the population are seasonal, with 99.4%
of recorded hatches occurring from January to April
(N=359). The earliest reproduction is at the age of five
years (#BG122 and BG070) and the oldest age achieved
is 52 years old (See Appendix D for Life tables).
The population size has increased almost continuously

since 1970 due to captive births (Figure 6). Short-term
declines in population size were mainly caused by
reintroductions. The population has a healthy, pyramid
shaped age distribution (Figure 5), although age-classes
of 15 to 20 years are overrepresented. The population
has a surprisingly high projected growth rate (λ= 1.064)
for a long-lived species and may grow from its current
size of around 170 individuals to over 260 individuals in
five years if no individuals would be reintroduced. All
demographic factors considered, this population is very Figure 5: Age distribution of the Bearded
demographically stable. vulture EEP population (1 April 2017)
Figure 6: Census, by origin, for the entire Bearded vulture EEP since 1970.
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Demographic comparison
The three populations of vulture for which analyses are reported in this document obviously have
similarities and also differences in life-history. Similarly, the populations have been managed
differently, likely had different husbandry standards and their zoo-populations developed differently.
This all makes it difficult to the different demographic and genetic parameters of these three European
vultures. Nevertheless, it can be useful to try and explain some of these differences and to try and
explain what these mean for the management of these populations.
 First year mortality in the Eurasian griffon vulture population is with 21% (N= 330), much lower
than for European black (38%, N=129) and Bearded vulture (32%, N=270). Most of this is due to
the high mortality of nestlings, with e.g. about 30% (N=287) mortality in the first three months of
life for the Bearded vulture EEP. Note that the reasons for mortality are different in different life
stages; nestling mortality depends on adult rearing experience and staff experience to recognize
when you have to intervene and how. This requires high experience and knowledge of the species
reproduction biology. After this phase, mortality depends much more on housing and feeding
conditions.
 For all three populations the earliest observed age of reproduction is five or six years.
 Eurasian griffon vultures have an average life expectancy, with over 25 years. That of the Bearded
vulture is similar with 23 years, but the European black vulture is much lower with 18 years. This
is mainly caused by the difference in first year mortality, since after the first year, the average life
expectancy is 32 years for Eurasian griffon vulture, 30 years for Bearded vulture and 29 years for
European black vulture.
 In the European black vulture EEP population, a larger proportion of individuals has reproduced
successfully at least once (European black vulture Ne/N= 0.53) than for the Eurasian griffon vulture
(Ne/N= 0.34) and Bearded vulture (Ne/N= 0.298) population. This is partially caused by the fact
that the European black vulture EEP population is relatively older (aged) than the Eurasian griffon
vulture ESB and Bearded vulture EEP populations and thus already had a longer reproductive
lifetime behind them. Still, this also indicates that the low reproductive output of the European
black vulture EEP population is mainly caused by low breeding rate of pairs, not by a lack of pairs
that can successfully breed.
13
Genetic Summary
Table 3 Genetic status of the Eurasian griffon vulture ESB and European black and Bearded vulture EEP
populations.
Eurasian griffon European black Bearded vulture
vulture*1 vulture*2
Ancestry known 58% 82.6% 97.2%
Founders > 70 > 72 41
Potential founders > 103 > 35 7
Founder genome equivalents (FGE) - ~27.3 32.2
Potential FGE > 158.2 > 85.7 44.5
Genetic diversity (GD) - ~98.2% 97.8%
Potential GD > 99.7%*3 > 99.4% 98.9%
Population mean kinship (MK) - ~0.018 0.022
Mean inbreeding (F) - ~0.000 0.000
Ratio of Effective population size / > 0.341 > 0.531 0.298
census size (Ne / N)
Projections*4
Years to 90% GD - ~98 218
Years to 10% Loss from Current GD - ~109 282
GD at 100 Years from present - ~89.7% 94.2%
*1 With only 58% known ancestry of the Eurasian griffon vulture ESB, most reliable genetic parameters and
projections cannot be calculated.
*2 With 82.6%, less than 85% ancestry of the European black vulture EEP population’s ancestry is known.
Therefore, genetic parameters should be interpreted with caution. X individuals were excluded from this genetic
analysis due to X (Appendix B).
*3 This is the minimum of potential genetic diversity, with a higher known ancestry, it can only increase.
*4 Based on projections in PMx assuming current population parameters.
Genetic status of Eurasian griffon vulture ESB

Part of the Eurasian griffon vulture population’s ancestry is unknown (42%) and it is unlikely that this
unknown ancestry will be resolved in the foreseeable future. When less than 85% of the population’s
ancestry is known, genetic parameters about the population as a whole cannot be calculated.
However, a lot is known about the population’s genetic status. First of all, there are at least 158
founder genomes surviving in the population (Potential FGE= Minimally 158.2), including those of 103
potential founders. It is expected that the unknown part of the population is genetically diverse and
not very related to the known part of the ESB. Therefore, it is deemed that the ESB population is
genetically healthy. Due to the long generation time (T) of 12.3 years and a reasonable number of
individuals contributing to the next generation (Ne/N= 0.34), genetic diversity is also lost at a low rate.
In the last five years, on average over four wild born individuals have entered the population annually
and there is currently no reason to expect this trend will not continue. As long as at least four wild born
individuals are entering the population, irrespective of the starting genetic diversity of the population
at current, 99.0% genetic diversity can be maintained for as long as wild born individuals are entering
the population.
14
Genetic status of European black vulture EEP

The European black vulture EEP population’s ancestry is 82.6% known. Because this is lower than 85%,
genetic parameters should be interpreted with caution. Fortunately, genetic diversity in the known
part of population’s ancestry is very high with 98.2%. Considering the large number of wild born birds
still present in the population, the long generation time and the relatively low reproductive output, it
seems unlikely that the unknown part of the population’s ancestry is less genetically diverse. If the
growth rate could be increased to a level that at least maintains the population size, 95.4% genetic
diversity could be maintained for 100 years and 90% genetic diversity could be maintained for an
estimated 375 years. Moreover, there would be no loss of genetic diversity, if in combination with this
hypothetical improved demographic situation, one additional wild-born bird would be added to the
population each year. Unfortunately, this is all under the assumption that the growth rate of the
population can be increased. With the current population parameters, the population would maintain
only 89.7% in 100 years on average, in which case it would thus not fulfil its role as genetic reservoir.
Projections also show that there is a possibility the population is lost entirely in 100 years, in which
case 0% genetic diversity would be maintained.
Genetic status of Bearded vulture EEP

The Bearded vulture EEP population’s ancestry is 97.2% known, therefore reliable genetic parameters
can be calculated. The population is currently genetically very diverse, with 97.8% genetic diversity,
similar to that of 32 founders (FGE= 32.2). As a result, individuals in the population are on average
related to a level that is somewhat lower than second-cousins (MK= 0.02) and there is no inbreeding
in the population (F= 0.000). With the genetic variation similar to that of almost 45 founders (Potential
FGE= 44.5), the potential genetic diversity in the population is even higher (98.9%). Because of the
population’s long generation time (T= 24.2 year), genetic diversity is only lost at a slow rate and a level
of 90% genetic diversity could be maintained over 218 years, without new founders entering the
population.
The bearded vulture has high in-between population genetic differentiation (Godoy et al. 2004).
Therefore, if wild population will go extinct, it is likely that unique genetic variation is lost. Therefore,
a role of the EEP is to capture the genetic variation of European autochthonous populations. The EEP
is partially achieving this role by including founders and potential founders originating from
populations in the Pyrenees and mainland Greece and on Corsica and Crete. Although, for some of
these populations there is a significant chance that all genetic variation will be lost.
• For the Corsican population, this involves currently only one potential founder of one year old.
• For the Pyrenean population, a reasonable amount of genetic variation is captured with four
to five (FGE= 4.4) Pyrenean founder genomes surviving in the population, carried by six
individuals of which three potential founders.
• Populations from Crete and mainland Greece are better represented in the populations but
involve only one founder each and may thus not capture all unique variation of these wild
populations.
A more detailed analysis that takes all information available on population structure into account is
necessary to evaluate whether sufficient genetic variation from these populations is captured and
maintained in the long-term.
15
Roles
The role of all vulture programmes includes to
• Acquire knowledge on the species biology to build up knowledge on nutrition, behaviour,
reproduction biology, etc. to help inform in situ conservation actions.
• Continue to develop Best Practice Guidelines on ex situ management, because this allows
recovery centres to improve the way they treat and maintain injured wild birds. For example,
this has already made a considerable difference for the survival of injured bearded vultures in
the last 30 years; Most of the recovered vultures now survive due to improvements in
husbandry.
The role of the Eurasian griffon vulture ESB is to

• Be a charismatic species that attracts visitors and to convey educational messages that
positively affect the conservation status of all vulture species in the wild. This role is thought
to be fulfilled by keeping large colonies of vultures that show active breeding behaviour. This
allows opportunities for education through, among others, feeding presentations. An
important educational aim is to teach visitors about the ecosystem services that vultures
provide by cleaning of carcasses and the threats that vultures face. Such threats include the
harmful effects of laying out poisoned carcasses set for livestock predators, the use of anti-
inflammatory drugs for cattle, and lead poisoning through hunting. The ESB’s many
rehabilitated birds with visible scars also allow easy opportunities to educate on threats as
collisions with wind mills, and electrocution by powerlines. In addition, the fact that
conservations actions for the Eurasian griffon vulture have been successful in restoring its
populations can be used to inspire.
insurance population in case of rapid decline in the wild, as seen for different vulture
populations. The population could also function as source for (strategic) reintroductions
outside of Spain if rehabilitated birds would no longer be available for reintroduction due to
e.g. changes in legislation.
• Gain husbandry skills (function as model species) for keeping more threatened (Gyps) vulture
species.
• Be used in research that aims to counter threats to any vulture species in the wild. The Eurasian
griffon vulture is particularly suited for this as the only vulture in captivity with a sufficiently
large population size, as such allowing sufficient sample size. Research includes studies on diet,
husbandry, monitoring devices, veterinary issues and drugs.
The role of the European black vulture EEP is to

insurance population that can function as source for reintroduction, in particular as a self-
sustainable genetic reserve for the wild population by capturing a large amount of genetic
diversity from wild populations in the entire range of the species.
• Function as source to provide behaviourally competent individuals for reintroduction projects.
This mainly involves reintroductions to establish new breeding sites (through the hacking
method) or other reintroduction projects where rehabilitated birds are not suitable due to e.g. Commented [MH12]: We are actually testing different release
methods so I would not mention this
political or legislative reasons, geographical as described in the species’ action plan (Vulture
MSAP 2017).
16
• Generate funding for in situ and ex situ conservation projects of the European black vulture.
• Generate awareness of the species to the public and relevant stakeholders such as farmers
and schools about European black vulture conservation, ideally in collaboration with in situ
partners. Which exact stakeholders are relevant, depends on the location of the zoo. The
ultimate aim here is to minimise threats to populations in the wild by applying social and
political pressure.
• Be used in research that aims to counter threats to the species in the wild, such as by testing
tools and methodologies.
The role of the Bearded vulture EEP is to
• Provide individuals for reintroduction in former distribution areas, aiming to establish self-
sustaining free-living populations that aid in re-establishing the historical gene flow between
North Africa, Europe and Asia by connecting existing isolated autochthonous and reintroduced
European bearded vulture populations.
insurance population that can function as source for reintroduction. In particular, function as
a genetic reserve, preserving the genetic variation of European autochthonous populations,
such as those of the Pyrenees, Corsica and Crete.
• Educate zoo visitors and raise public awareness about the species and the ex situ and in situ
conservation efforts that are being undertaken in Europe to help build core support for vulture
conservation.
The role of the Egyptian vulture EEP is to

• Gain knowledge about the Egyptian vulture that can be used to plan ex situ and in situ
conservation strategies by allowing research on release strategies, husbandry, migration, life
history, monitoring-equipment, genetics, and taxonomy. The latter includes identifying
differences between vultures of Turkish origin and those of Spanish origin. At times, this
requires close cooperation with in situ partners to investigate the biology of wild populations,
especially to gain knowledge on migratory behaviour.
• Function as a behaviourally competent, demographically stable and genetically healthy
insurance EEP population and as source for reintroductions aimed to establish new
populations, restock existing populations or develop release strategies.
• Raise public awareness on the threats that vultures experience in general, and those that the
Egyptian vulture experiences in particular. Because the Egyptian vulture is a migratory species,
conservation strategies differ from the other European vultures. The fact that Egyptian
vultures are able to use tools could be used to illustrate the intelligence of vultures, thereby
improving their image.
Goals and management strategies
Compliance
The Eurasian griffon ESB, European black vulture EEP and Egyptian vulture EEP all experience issues
with compliance of EEP participants. This is causing several problems. This is, for example, currently
limiting the much-needed reproduction for the European black vulture EEP population due to the
17
considerable time spent to get relevant information on respective birds and their housing and
convincing institutions to transfer birds.
Actions to this end that will be worked on are:
 Upgrade current Eurasian griffon vulture ESB to an EEP (to be done before 31 December 2017). Commented [IS13]: 2019?
 All EEPs will continue to work on providing transparency on the reasons for management
decisions to the EEP participants to facilitate transfer recommendations, the publication of this
Long-term Management Plan is part of this.
 All EAZA members are expected to work according to the relevant ESB/EEP working procedure
as included in the Population Management Manual. In case rules are ignored, Coordinators
supported by the TAG are encouraged to work according to the relevant complaint procedure
to solve potential issues.
 Following the model of the Bearded vulture EEP population, the European black vulture and
Egyptian vulture EEP will investigate whether ownership of birds by the EEP could be a tool to
improve this situation. Realising the different background of the programmes and that in the
current setup an EEP is not a legal entity and as such cannot own animals.
Communication and integration of in situ and ex situ conservation efforts

All European vulture programmes, including the Egyptian vulture EEP, can still benefit from increased
transparency and clearer communication between all stakeholders. This includes communication
between the different programmes, but also between the ESB/EEPs and VCF and the various
reintroduction projects. This also involves a better system for the different partners to discuss release
projects, release methods, the needs of these projects and the availability of birds for release. The
following steps have been identified to start to improve this:
 The Coordinator of the European black vulture EEP, as well as the Coordinator of the Egyptian
vulture EEP will attend yearly VCF advisory group meetings and annual meetings of the
“Reunion des groupes vautours”.
 The aim is to more often have a VCF representative attend EAZA meetings, such as the EAZA
Annual conference, the EAZA Bird TAG mid-years meeting, the EAZA conservation Forum or
the EAZA Reintroduction working group.
 The partners will work on increasing the frequency of publishing in each other’s newsletters.
 Since the Eurasian griffon vulture ESB has until now been less involved, both the
TAG/European vulture EEPs and VCF will work on ensuring a closer integration of this ESB into
their activities and meetings.
Biobanking
Especially for the European black vulture EEP as well as the Egyptian vulture EEP, banking of
biomaterials is a powerful tool to facilitate research in the future. Considering that research is an
important role of both populations, all holders of these vultures are encouraged to opportunistically
take samples such as feathers and blood (protocol available on EAZA Falconiformes and Strigiformes
TAG website) and store them in the EAZA Biobank.
Demonstrations
The use of birds in demonstrations will not be allowed if this negatively impacts either the goals or
roles of the relevant ESB or EEP, or the welfare of the birds used in the demonstration. If a vulture is
used in a demonstration, the Eurasian griffon vulture is the preferred species. However, as stated in
the EAZA Guidelines on the use of animals in public demonstrations (2014), the breeding programme
18
must take priority over the needs of an individual member’s need for a demonstration animal and the
use of EEP/ESB animals in demonstrations cannot interfere with the breeding programme
recommendations.
Eurasian griffon vulture ESB goals and management strategy

The Eurasian griffon vulture ESB would not benefit demographically or genetically from cooperation
with non-EAZA institutions, so it was decided that only EAZA institutions will be part of the programme
for now. As there are still EAZA member institutions looking for (additional) birds and because chicks
can be provided to reintroduction projects, no animals will be sent to non-EAZA institutions at this
time.
The demographic goal of the programme is to meet the need for attractive educational exhibits at
EAZA institutions, as long as there are no individuals of other more threatened vulture species
available. In practice, this means that the ESB population should grow slowly in the coming years from
the current 398 individuals to about 450 individuals in five years. To achieve this goal, all pairs are
recommended to breed for now, unless communicated otherwise. Population growth due to captive
hatches is expected to be relatively slow but will likely be complemented by 4 to 5 rehabilitated
Eurasian griffon vultures entering the programme each year from rescue centres. In the future, this
programme may compete for space with more threatened African (and/or potentially Asian) vultures.
Therefore, it will be evaluated annually whether the Eurasian griffon vulture ESB will need to restrict
population growth to avoid this competition.
Currently, fledged chicks in the ESB will be used to meet the needs of EAZA members or for
reintroduction, with the ESB Keeper determining which of the two. In the coming years, the needs of
EAZA members will usually be prioritised over providing animals for reintroduction projects. However,
exceptions may apply and depend on the situation.
Eurasian griffon vultures are reintroduced as a proxy to determine whether European black vulture
and/or bearded vulture can be released in the release-location in the future. The ESB has the
advantage that younger birds can be provided for release than rehabilitation centres can, and younger
chicks are useful for establishing new nesting sites. Nevertheless, the Eurasian griffon vultures
currently provided for release are only modest contribution to the total number of Eurasian griffon
vultures reintroduced, as most reintroduced birds originate from rehabilitation centres. The
reintroduction of Eurasian griffon vultures from the ESB should therefore in the first place be viewed
as an event that allows institutions to promote vulture conservation in general.
To achieve attractive exhibits which can contribute to fulfilling the educational role of the ESB, the ESB
strives for keeping colonies of six birds or more at a single institution. Institutions holding only a single
Eurasian griffon vulture in an enclosure are not considered to contribute to fulfilling the educational
role of the programme, nor is it deemed to be the ideal situation in terms of animal welfare. Therefore,
institutions holding a single bird are encouraged to take on at least one additional Eurasian griffon
vulture or to transfer their Eurasian griffon vulture to another programme participant.
Assuming they have appropriate facilities and staff knowledge, institutions that will be prioritised to
receive Eurasian griffon vultures are those that
 Keep only a single bird.
 Are particularly important for spreading the educational message of the EEP (facilities in range
countries for example).
 Already are holding Eurasian griffon vultures
19
 Have a general focus on European species

 Need to practice husbandry skills to later hold a Gyps species of greater conservation concern.
 Need to even out an unbalanced sex-ratio
 Logistically make more sense in terms of transfer costs and welfare of transferred birds.
The Eurasian griffon vulture ESB does not require strict management by mean kinship to maintain a
population with high genetic diversity. Therefore, the management strategy of the ESB will not focus
on establishing breeding pairs and colonies that maximise the maintenance of genetic diversity.
Without putting too much emphasis on it and when possible/opportune given the facilities, individuals
with known ancestry will be paired to other individuals with known ancestry and the same for
individuals with an unknown background. Instead, the ESB will be able to focus on avoiding high levels
of inbreeding. The few closely related breeding pairs that already exist do not have to be broken up,
but are not recommended to reproduce. The population will also be managed to prevent any
hybridisation with other Gyps species.
European black vulture EEP goals and management strategy

With the current genetic diversity (and potential founders still in the population) and population size,
the European black vulture EEP is potentially able to fulfil its role as genetic reserve. Nevertheless,
the EEP could still capture a higher percentage of the genetic variation from the entire range of the
species. This could be achieved by adding additional founders from regions/geographic locations that
are genetically underrepresented in the population. In this respect, the AZA population, which counts
around 40 individuals, may be able to complement the EEP population. Communication will be
sought with AZA, with the aim to use molecular genetics to determine how the two populations
relate to each other. Note, however, that the AZA population cannot be a source for reintroduction
in Europe in the short-term, as imports take too long for young chicks to arrive at release projects in
Europe.
The main challenge of the EEP is to produce enough chicks to both maintain a demographically stable
population and fulfil its reintroduction role by providing enough chicks for release. A demographically
robust population with sufficient reproduction is necessary to achieve this role. The target for the
population size is to at least maintain the population size at the current 170 individuals and ideally
grow to 200 birds. This is not expected to cause any competition for space with other vulture species
in the coming years. The challenge, however, is that the population is projected to crash if the
current demographic parameters are not significantly improved. Especially in the coming 15 years
this is expected to be a significant risk due to aging of the population. To increase the hatch rate, the
EEP aims to achieve the following:
 The management strategy of the EEP will focus on improving breeding success (e.g. dating
aviaries), with pairing on mean kinship only being of secondary importance.
 Further improvements will be made to the Best Practice Guidelines (according to the current
template and procedure), by developing and updating them, as well as by making them easier
to use for institutions. To obtain the husbandry knowledge required to update the document,
as well as to disseminate it, a European black vulture husbandry workshop will be organised.
This workshop will focus on improving housing conditions and feeding. Prague Zoo (PRAHA)
volunteered to host this workshop. This workshop will take place in Antwerp zoo from 9-11
December 2019.
20
 Develop the idea of employing an assistant to the EEP Coordinator who can work on improving
the husbandry standards (review facilities, give advice, observe birds, etc.). Ideally employ a
person to full-time work on this (long-term commitment is required, to build up husbandry
knowledge and for very active communication with EEP participants).
 Establish a specialised European black vulture breeding centre, as a tool to build up the
necessary husbandry skills and knowledge and to increase the breeding success of pairs with
low breeding success. It is roughly estimated that around 10 aviaries would be necessary to
achieve this, ideally located in the proximity of the EEP Coordinator (in line with model used
for Bearded vulture EEP). Having a specialized breeding centre has led to huge improvements
in the reproductive rate in case of the Bearded vulture programme. The EEP will work with
VCF to look for funds to employ this person and to establish this specialised breeding centre.
The challenge will be to find a high amount of recurrent funding, which may require strong
funding partners such as governments.
In the coming three years, minimally three and maximally six chicks per year will be provided for a
release project in Bulgaria. This will therefore make it even more difficult for the EEP to avoid a
population crash. To compensate for this, the EEP will attempt imports birds into the EEP from the
many European black vulture recovery centres in Spain, France, Turkey and countries in the Caucasus.
With the support of VCF, it may be possible to organise this. The EEP will only take in those birds that
are, despite their injuries, still able to breed and as such able to contribute to the demographic stability
of the population. In the ideal scenario, if breeding success in the EEP can be improved sufficiently, the
EEP would like to be able to provide 15 chicks for release each year, meeting the demand of
reintroduction projects. However, even if breeding success can be significantly improved in the short-
term, it will take many years before this stage will be reached.
Bearded vulture EEP goals and management strategy

The management strategy used in recent years to manage the Bearded vulture population was
evaluated and determined to work well. Therefore, this strategy will not be changed. The following is
a summary of this management strategy, for which more detail can be found the relevant documents
published by VCF (Bearded vulture EEP Annual Report 2016; Release strategy and scenarios for 2017
& 2018).
To fulfil its role as genetic reserve and source for reintroduction, a demographically robust population
of around 200 individuals with a high reproductive output is expected to be required. While only
around eight hatches per year would be necessary to maintain the population size, the expected hatch
rate in the population in the coming years is expected to be higher than 30 hatches per year. It is
therefore expected that this population could quickly grow from its current population size of 170
individuals to its target population size of 200 individuals, while at the same time providing a large
number of chicks for release projects. In order to maintain a genetically diverse population, the first
four nestlings from each founder are included into the EEP and not released. All pairs in the EEP are
recommended to breed, unless it has been communicated otherwise. The number of birds provided
for release projects depends on the hatching success of that year. Annually, an overview is created and
distributed to all partners involved that clarifies the estimated number of individuals that will be
provided for release for each project and how does this depend on the breeding success in that season
21
(Release strategy and scenarios for 2017 & 2018, VCF 2017). The final numbers then depend on
additional factors, such as genetic value; If a bird is genetically important to the EEP, it may not be
provided for release. If a decision is made to release a bearded vulture that is genetically important to
the meta-population, it is released in areas where survival chances are highest. Additional factors
include the situation at a certain release site, such as sex balance in the wild and compliance with VCF’s
conditions. Research studies with programme birds are only allowed when guaranteed that they
cannot negatively affect welfare or breeding success.
22
Conclusions for Eurasian griffon vulture ESB, European

black vulture EEP and Bearded vulture EEP
 All European vulture EEPs and the Eurasian griffon vulture ESB will focus on
o Improving communication between in situ and ex situ partners.
o Improving institutional compliance with recommendations.
o Collecting bio-materials, especially for the European black vulture EEP and Egyptian
vulture EEP. And determine genetics within the ex situ population
 The Eurasian griffon vulture ESB is demographically stable and genetically very robust, especially
as long as rehabilitated Eurasian griffon vultures keep entering the population frequently. Only
EAZA members will be included in the programme, which is planned to grow from 398 individuals
to 450 individuals in five years. All pairs are recommended to breed, unless communicated
otherwise. The ESB Keeper will determine whether chicks are used to meet the ESB’s needs or are
provided to release projects. The needs of programme participants are currently given higher
priority to be able to fulfil the educational role of the programme. The population will not be
managed by mean kinship, because this is not necessary for maintaining a high level of genetic
diversity, but inbreeding coefficients and known ancestry will be taken into account when
assigning breeding pairs. It is suggested to upgrade the programme to an EEP to increase
compliance of institutions and given the link with reintroduction projects.
 The European black vulture EEP can potentially fulfil its role as genetic reserve and will look at
obtaining additional founders and work with AZA to improve this. However, with the current
population parameters, the population size is projected to crash. Especially in the coming 15 years,
it will be very challenging to keep the population size at the target of at least 170 birds. The
programme also aims to obtain funding to employ a person to full-time work on this and set up a
specialised breeding centre where the breeding success of pairs with low breeding success can be
improved and where husbandry skills and knowledge can be acquired. The programme also aims
to hold a workshop on European black vulture husbandry and will further develop the Best Practice
Guidelines. On the other hand, three to six chicks will be provided annually to a release project in
Bulgaria. The programme will try to compensate for this by importing rehabilitated European black
vultures from rescue centres, in cooperation with VCF .
 The Bearded vulture EEP is currently demographically very robust and genetically healthy. It is
projected that the population can in the short-term grow from its current 170 individuals to its
target population size of 200 individuals while providing a large number of chicks to release
projects. The programme’s management strategies were evaluated and found to work well.
 These populations will be re-evaluated annually by the relevant EEP Coordinator and Species
Committees. The TAG will regularly review the targets for the European vulture species, with an
eye on the more threatened African vulture programme targets.
23
Appendix A Institutional holdings

Current institutional holdings of Eurasian griffon Vulture in the ESB population as of 25 August 2017.
All participants are EAZA members.
Eurasian griffon vulture Institutional holdings
Mnemonic Institution Male Female Unknown Total
ALPHEN Vogelpark Avifauna 0 1 0 1
AMERSFOOR Dierenpark Amersfoort 6 5 0 11
AMSTERDAM Artis Zoo 7 6 0 13
ARNHEM Burgers' Zoo 6 2 0 8
ATTICAZOO Attica Zoological Park S.A. 4 0 0 4
AYWAILLE Monde Sauvage Safari SPRL 1 2 0 3
BARCELONA Parc Zoologic de Barcelona 6 3 0 9
BAYRAMOGL Faruk Yalcin Zoo 1 0 0 1
BEAUVAL Zoo Parc de Beauval 8 5 2 15
BERLIN TP Tierpark Berlin-Friedrichsfelde GmbH 7 7 0 14
BERLINZOO Zoologischer Garten Berlin AG 3 1 0 4
BIOPARCVA Bioparc Valencia, Rain Forest S.L. 1 0 0 1
BOCHUM Tierpark & Fossilium Bochum 1 1 0 2
BOISSIERE Espace Zoologique la Boissiere du Dore 0 1 1 2
BOJNICE Zoologicka zahrada Bojnice 3 1 0 4
BUDAPEST Budapest Zool.& Botanical Garden 2 2 0 4
BURSA ZOO Bursa Zoo (Bursa Hayvanat Bahcesi) 1 0 0 1
BUSSOLENG Parco Natura Viva 2 1 0 3
CAMBRON Parc Paradisio S.A. 2 1 0 3
CHOMUTOV Podkrušnohorský Zoopark Chomutov 1 1 0 2
COLCHESTR Colchester Zoo 1 1 0 2
DOMBES Parc des Oiseaux - Dombes 2 4 0 6
DRESDEN Z Zoo Dresden GmbH 4 4 0 8
DUISBURG Zoo Duisburg AG 2 2 0 4
EBERSWALD Tierpark Eberswalde 1 1 0 2
ERFURT Thuringer Zoopark Erfurt 1 2 0 3
ESTEPONA Selwo Aventura (Parque De La Naturaleza Selwo S.L.) 2 1 5 8
EUROPA Dierenrijk 1 1 0 2
FAUNIA Faunia (Parque Biologico De Madrid,SA) 0 1 0 1
FONTAINE BioParc de Doué 8 8 0 16
FORT MARD Parc Zoologique communautaire Fort Mardyck 1 0 0 1
GELSNKRKN ZOOM Erlebniswelt Gelsenkirchen 1 1 0 2
GORLITZ Naturschutz-Tierpark Goerlitz 2 2 0 4
HAIFA Haifa Educ.Zoo & Biological Institute 1 4 0 5
HALLE Zoologischer Garten Halle GmbH 1 1 0 2
HANNOVER Zoo Hannover GmbH 2 2 0 4
HILVARENB Safaripark Beekse Bergen 2 1 0 3
JEREZ ZooBotánico de Jerez 3 2 1 6
JERUSALEM The Tisch Family Zoological Gardens 2 1 0 3
JURQUES Parc Zoologique de Jurques 1 3 0 4
KAZAN Kazan Zoological & Botanical Garden 1 1 0 2
KERKRADE GaiaZoo, Kerkrade 0 7 0 7
KOSICE Zoologicka Zahrada Kosice 0 0 0 0
LA FLECHE Parc Zoologique de La Fleche 0 0 2 2
LE PAL Le Pal, Parc Animalier 1 3 0 4
LE VIGEN Parc ZOO du Reynou 1 1 0 2
LESNA Zoologicka Garden & Chateau Zlin-Lesna 3 3 0 6
24
Eurasian griffon vulture Institutional holdings

Mnemonic Institution Male Female Unknown Total
LISBON Jardim Zoologico / Lisbon Zoo 0 1 0 1
LJUBLJANA Zivalski vrt Ljubljana 1 1 0 2
LODZ Miejski Ogrod Zoologiczny w Lodz 2 4 0 6
MADRID Z Zoo Aquarium de Madrid (GRPR) 3 1 0 4
MARMOTTES Parc Animalier des Pyrenees 3 7 0 10
MAUBEUGE Zoo de Maubeuge 4 1 0 5
MOSCOW Moscow Zoological Park 5 3 0 8
MULHOUSE Parc Zoologique Et Botanique Mulhouse 2 1 0 3
MUNSTER Westfalischer Zoologischer Garten Munster 4 3 0 7
NEUWIED Zoo Neuwied 1 1 0 2
NORDHORN Tierpark Nordhorn GmbH 4 2 0 6
OBTERRE Parc de la Haute Touche 1 2 0 3
OSTRAVA Zoologickazahrada Ostrava 3 3 0 6
PARIS ZOO Parc Zoologique de Paris (MNHN) 4 4 0 8
PEAUGRES Safari de Peaugres 2 3 0 5
PELISSANE Parc Zoologique de la Barben 2 2 0 4
PLANCKNDL Wild Animal Park Mechelen Planckendael 1 2 0 3
PLEUGUEN Château et Parc Zoologique de la Bourbansais 4 1 1 6
PLZEN Zoologická a botanická zahrada Plzen 2 2 0 4
QUINTASI Zoo de Gaia -- Zoo Sánto Inacio 0 1 3 4
RAMAT GAN Zoological Center Tel Aviv - Ramat Gan 1 2 2 5
RIGA Riga Zoo 1 2 0 3
SALZBURG Salzburg Zoo Hellbrunn 1 1 0 2
SANTILLAN Zoo de Santillana y Parque Cuaternario 5 3 0 8
SCHMIDING Zoologischer Garten Schmiding 2 1 2 5
SHARJAHBR Sharjah Breeding Centre 3 5 0 8
STE CROIX Parc Animalier de Sainte Croix 6 3 0 9
STRAUBING Tiergarten Straubing 1 1 0 2
STUTTGART Wilhelma Zoo 4 5 3 12
TALLIN Tallinn Zoo 2 2 0 4
TERRA MUR Terra Natura Murcia 2 2 7 11
VALBREMBO Parco Faunistico Le Cornelle 2 1 2 5
WALSRODE Weltvogelpark Walsrode 1 2 0 3
WEYHILL The Hawk Conservancy 2 0 0 2
ZAGREB Zagreb Zoo / Zooloski vrt Zagreb 1 2 0 3
ZOODYSSEE Zoodyssée 3 1 0 4
25
Current institutional holdings of European black vulture in the EEP population as of 25 August 2017.
European black vulture Institutional holdings
Mnemonic Institution Membership Male Female Unknown Total
ALMA-ATA Almaty Zoological Park CfM 5 4 4 13
ANTWERP Zoo Antwerpen EAZA 1 1 1 3
ARNHEM Koninklijke Burgers' Zoo EAZA 1 1 0 2
AYWAILLE Monde Sauvage Safari EAZA 1 1 0 2
BARCELONA Parc Zoològic de Barcelona EAZA 2 2 0 4
BAYRAMOGL Faruk Yalcin Zoo EAZA 0 1 0 1
BEAUVAL Zooparc de Beauval EAZA 1 1 0 2
BERLIN TP Tierpark Berlin-Friedrichsfelde EAZA 2 1 0 3
BOCHUM Tierpark Bochum EAZA 1 1 2 4
BURSA ZOO Bursa Zoo EAZA 1 2 1 4
CAMBRON Pairi Daiza EAZA 1 1 0 2
CHESTER North of England Zoological Society EAZA 1 1 0 2
DOMBES Parc Ornithologique de Villars les Dombes EAZA 2 1 0 3
DRESDEN Z Zoologischer Garten Dresden EAZA 1 0 0 1
FONTAINE Bioparc de Doué la Fontaine EAZA 2 0 0 2
GARENNE La Garenne Approved 1 1 0 2
non-EAZA
INNSBRUCK Alpenzoo Innsbruck EAZA 1 1 0 2
JEREZ Zoobotánico Jerez EAZA 1 1 0 2
KAZAN Kazan Zoobotanical Garden EAZA 1 1 0 2
KERKRADE GaiaZOO Kerkrade Zoo EAZA 2 0 0 2
KRAKOW Miejski Park i Ogród Zoologiczny EAZA 1 1 0 2
LANDSKRON Greifvogelwarte Landskron Approved 1 2 1 4
non-EAZA
LES EPESS Grand Parc Du Puy Du Fou non-EAZA 3 3 0 6
LESNA ZOO a zámek Zlín-Lešná EAZA 2 2 1 5
LIBEREC Zoologická zahrada Liberec EAZA 1 1 1 3
MARMOTTES Parc Animalier des Pyrénées EAZA 1 2 0 3
MOSCOW Moscow Zoo EAZA 4 4 0 8
MULHOUSE Parc Zoologique et Botanique de Mulhouse EAZA 2 2 0 4
MUNSTER Westfälischer Zoologischer Garten Münster EAZA 1 1 0 2
NIKOLAEV Nikolaev Zoo CfM 2 2 2 6
NOVOSIBRK Novosibirsk Zoological Park CfM 2 2 0 4
OSTRAVA Zoologická zahrada Ostrava EAZA 1 1 0 2
PLANCKNDL Planckendael EAZA 7 5 0 12
PRAHA Zoologická zahrada Praha EAZA 4 7 0 11
RHENEN Ouwehands Dierenpark EAZA 5 3 0 8
RIGA Riga Zoo EAZA 2 2 1 5
SCHMIDING Zoo Schmiding EAZA 3 0 0 3
SHARJAHBR Arabia's Wildlife Centre EAZA 0 1 0 1
ST PETERS St Petersburg Zoo (Leningrad Zoo) CfM 1 1 0 2
ST POLTEN Peter Steinbichl non-EAZA 3 3 0 6
TALLIN Tallinna Loomaaed EAZA 3 5 0 8
WEYHILL Hawk Conservancy Trust EAZA 1 2 0 3
WUPPERTAL Zoo Wuppertal EAZA 1 1 0 2
26
Current institutional holdings of Bearded vulture in the EEP population as of 25 August 2017.
Bearded vulture Institutional holdings
Mnemonic Institution Membership Male Female Unknown Total
ALBERTINI Enrico Albertini (The Monticello centre) non-EAZA 2 2 0 4
BEAUVAL Zooparc de Beauval EAZA 1 1 0 2
BELGRADE Zoološki vrt grada Beograda non-EAZA 1 1 0 2
BERLIN TP Tierpark Berlin-Friedrichsfelde EAZA 2 2 0 4
BERLINZOO Zoologischer Garten und Aquarium Berlin EAZA 1 1 0 2
BUSSOLENG Parco Natura Viva, Garda Zoological Park EAZA 1 1 0 2
CAMBRON Pairi Daiza EAZA 2 1 0 3
CHOMUTOV Podkrušnohorský zoopark Chomutov EAZA 1 1 0 2
CORDOBA Parque Zoologico de Cordoba non-EAZA 1 1 0 2
COULANGE Parc Zoologique d'Amneville non-EAZA 1 1 0 2
DOMBES Parc Ornithologique de Villars les Dombes EAZA 1 1 0 2
FRANKFURT Zoo Frankfurt EAZA 1 1 0 2
GARENNE La Garenne Approved 1 1 0 2
non-EAZA
GOLDAU Natur- und Tierpark Goldau EAZA 3 4 0 7
GREENBALK Wildlife rehabilitation and breeding centre - non-EAZA 1 1 0 2
Green Balkans
GYPAETUS Fundación Gypaetus (Centro de Cría Guadalentín) non-EAZA 10 11 0 21
HARINGSEE Richard Faust Bartgeier - Zuchtzentrum H non-EAZA 14 22 0 36
HELSINKI Helsinki Zoo EAZA 1 1 0 2
INNSBRUCK Alpenzoo Innsbruck EAZA 1 1 0 2
JEREZ Zoobotánico Jerez EAZA 1 1 0 2
LES EPESS Grand Parc Du Puy Du Fou non-EAZA 1 1 0 2
LIBEREC Zoologická zahrada Liberec EAZA 3 2 0 5
MARMOTTES Parc Animalier des Pyrénées EAZA 1 1 0 2
NIKOLAEV Nikolaev Zoo Cfm 0 2 0 2
NOVOSIBRK Novosibirsk Zoological Park Cfm 1 1 0 2
NURNBERG Tiergarten der Stadt Nürnberg EAZA 1 1 0 2
OSTRAVA Zoologická zahrada Ostrava EAZA 2 2 0 4
PLOCK Miejski Ogród Zoologiczny (Zoo Płock) EAZA 1 1 0 2
POZNAN Poznań Zoo EAZA 1 1 0 2
PRAHA Zoologická zahrada Praha EAZA 2 3 0 5
PRIVATE M. Petr Stika non-EAZA 1 1 0 2
PRIVATE M. Horstmann & B. Sloman non-EAZA 2 2 0 4
RIGA Riga Zoo EAZA 1 1 0 2
SANTALESS Oasi di Sant'Alessio non-EAZA 1 0 0 1
TALLIN Tallinna Loomaaed EAZA 1 1 0 2
TORREFERR Centre de Recuperació de Fauna Salvatge non-EAZA 1 1 0 2
VALLCALEN Centre Recuperacio Fauna Vallcalent non-EAZA 8 7 0 15
VIENNA Tiergarten Schonbrunn EAZA 1 1 0 2
WALSRODE Weltvogelpark Walsrode EAZA 0 1 0 1
YEREVAN Yerevan Zoo Cfm 1 1 1 3
Fundació Catalunya - La Padrera non-EAZA 1 1 0 2
27
Appendix B
Summary of Data Exports
PMx Export for Demographic Analysis Eurasian griffon vulture

PMx Project: Eurasian griffonVultureSPARKS1990 LTMPfed Old data
Created: 2017-08-25 by PMx version 1.4.20170717
File: C:\PMxProjects\Eurasian griffonVultureSPARKS1990 LTMPfed Old data.pmxproj
Primary data file
Data File Name: EXCHANGE.CSV
EURASIAN GRIFFON input file for pmx
Scientific name: GYPS FULVUS FULVUS
Common name: EURASIAN EURASIAN GRIFFON VULTURE
Exported on: 25/08/2017 15:34:11
Software version: Sparks 1.66
Scope: European
Current to: 31/12/2015
Compiled by: Inigo Sanchez, Zoobotanico Jerez, i.sanchez@aytojerez.es
Filter conditions in effect:
Dates: 01/01/1990 <= 25/08/2017
Association: \Sparks\EURASIAN GRIFFON.fed
There are 169 births to unknown parents or parents with unknown ages that have been added in
proportion to known aged parents. This is 70% of KNOWN births. 412 total births.
PMx Export for Genetic Analysis Eurasian griffon vulture

PMx Project: Eurasian griffonVulture 1990 LTMP 2017B
File: C:\PMxProjects\Eurasian griffonVulture 1990 LTMP 2017B.pmxproj
Common Name: Western Eurasian griffon vulture
Scientific Name: Gyps fulvus fulvus
Data Source: ZIMS for Studbooks
Studbook Name: Gyps fulvus fulvus
Exported On: 2017/25/08
Software version: ZIMS for Studbooks 3.0
Current Through: 2017/25/08
Compiled By: Iñigo Sánchez
Filtered for: EAZA.fed and data from 1 January 1990.
proportion to known aged parents This is 617% of KNOWN births. 538 total births.
28
Export for Demographic and Genetic Analysis European Black vulture

PMx Project: EBV EUROfed
File: C:\PMxProjects\EBV EUROfed.pmxproj
Data File Name: EXCHANGE.CSV
EBVULT input file for pmx
Scientific name: Aegypius monachus
Common name: European black vulture
Exported on: 25/08/2017 18:02:20
Software version: Sparks 1.66
Current to: 12/08/2017
Compiled by: Marleen Huyghe, Dierenpark Planckendael, marleen.huyghe@kmda.org
Filter conditions in effect:
Dates: 01/01/1985 <= 25/08/2017
Association: \Sparks\EURO.fed (EAZA + ALMA-ATA + GARENNE + LANDSKRON + LES EPESS +
NIKOLAEV + NOVOSIBRK + ST PETERS + ST POLTEN
proportion to known aged parents. This is 13% of KNOWN births. 219 total births. Commented [MH14]: I’m not sure I do understand this …
needs more clarification for me.
Export for Bearded vulture

The Access database of the Bearded vulture EEP was converted into an export file similar to the one
created by SPARKS. A protocol to create this is available upon request.
29
Appendix C
Animals Excluded from Genetic Analysis
For the analyses of Eurasian griffon vulture and Bearded vulture, no individuals were excluded from
genetic analysis. For the European black vulture, based on the physical state of the individuals and
the lack of reproduction, some are thought to be post-reproductive.
European black vulture
ID Location Sex LocalID Reason for exclusion
7207 PRAHA Female 910004 Post-reproductive
7703 PLANCKNDL Female 241024 Post-reproductive
7705 PRAHA Female 910007 Post-reproductive
7908 MULHOUSE Female 790023 Post-reproductive
8003 WUPPERTAL Female 804042 Post-reproductive
8010 ST POLTEN Female Ms-am 3 Post-reproductive
9002 INNSBRUCK Female B1515 Post-reproductive
8310 MARMOTTES Female 13B006 Post-reproductive
8406 TALLIN Female 10114 Post-reproductive
7006 DOMBES Male V96064 Post-reproductive
7103 BERLIN TP Male B00228 Post-reproductive
7202 MULHOUSE Male 960221 Post-reproductive
Male 804041 Almost post-reproductive and with post-
8004 WUPPERTAL
reproductive partner
30
Appendix D
Life Tables
Note that the reported mortality and fecundity rates are always a result of a combination of the
biology of the species and historical management and that especially data on older ages becomes
less reliable due to a smaller sample size (N at risk).
Life tables of Eurasian griffon vulture ESB. Data highlighted in orange were modified for analysis, as values were
deemed unreliable due to the small sample size (<20 individuals). The values used for calculations were based
on similar ages with larger sample sizes and may in reality be higher or lower.
Eurasian griffon vulture
Males Females
Age Qx Lx Mx N at risk Age Qx Lx Mx N at risk
0 20% 100% 0.00 176.4 0 21% 100% 0.00 153.6
1 4% 80% 0.00 165.1 1 4% 79% 0.00 137.4
2 3% 77% 0.00 163.3 2 2% 76% 0.00 138.9
3 1% 75% 0.02 158.9 3 3% 74% 0.00 136.8
4 1% 74% 0.01 158.9 4 0% 72% 0.00 132.2
5 1% 73% 0.02 157.6 5 0% 72% 0.01 129.5
6 1% 72% 0.03 156.3 6 2% 72% 0.04 127.7
7 2% 71% 0.04 151.4 7 3% 70% 0.03 124.3
8 3% 70% 0.03 149.4 8 0% 68% 0.04 126
9 3% 67% 0.06 141.3 9 0% 68% 0.06 125.2
10 2% 65% 0.05 135 10 2% 68% 0.07 122
11 0% 64% 0.09 125.4 11 2% 67% 0.12 119.4
12 1% 64% 0.12 119.3 12 2% 65% 0.11 115.5
13 1% 63% 0.08 112.4 13 2% 64% 0.09 108.6
14 2% 63% 0.08 107 14 2% 63% 0.07 103.4
15 1% 62% 0.09 102.2 15 4% 62% 0.09 96.8
16 3% 61% 0.07 97.7 16 4% 59% 0.10 87.8
17 0% 59% 0.06 89.9 17 2% 57% 0.11 79.5
18 1% 59% 0.07 80.2 18 4% 55% 0.14 69.7
19 3% 58% 0.11 75 19 0% 53% 0.07 62.1
20 1% 57% 0.06 74.2 20 2% 53% 0.04 59.7
21 2% 56% 0.07 65.2 21 2% 52% 0.11 56.2
22 2% 55% 0.12 57.5 22 0% 51% 0.07 50.5
23 4% 54% 0.03 54.2 23 4% 51% 0.04 44.4
24 0% 52% 0.09 50.3 24 0% 49% 0.06 39.9
25 0% 52% 0.06 44.9 25 0% 49% 0.09 38
26 3% 52% 0.04 40.6 26 3% 49% 0.07 37.5
27 0% 51% 0.03 35.9 27 3% 48% 0.08 33.8
28 1% 51% 0.03 31.6 28 0% 46% 0.08 32.6
29 9% 50% 0.00 26.1 29 9% 46% 0.08 31.8
30 0% 46% 0.00 24.5 30 0% 42% 0.06 29.3
31
Eurasian griffon vulture

Males Females
31 4% 46% 0.04 22.8 31 10% 42% 0.09 27.7
32 2% 44% 0.04 21.5 32 3% 38% 0.03 24.5
33 3% 43% 0.04 21 33 5% 37% 0.00 20.5
34 7% 41% 0.00 19.1 34 5% 35% 0.03 18.7
35 7% 39% 0.00 17.9 35 5% 33% 0.03 16.9
36 7% 36% 0.00 15.3 36 5% 32% 0.03 17
37 7% 34% 0.00 13.2 37 5% 30% 0.03 14.7
38 7% 31% 0.00 12 38 5% 29% 0.03 11.6
39 7% 29% 0.00 11.4 39 5% 27% 0.03 8.5
40 7% 27% 0.10 9.5 40 5% 26% 0.03 6.3
41 7% 25% 0.22 8.5 41 5% 24% 0.03 6
42 7% 23% 0.00 8 42 5% 23% 0.03 7
43 7% 22% 0.14 7.1 43 5% 22% 0.03 6.5
44 7% 20% 0.00 5 44 5% 21% 0.03 5
45 7% 19% 0.00 3.4 45 5% 20% 0.03 5
46 7% 17% 0.27 3.1 46 5% 19% 0.03 4.1
47 7% 16% 0.00 2.7 47 5% 18% 0.03 3.1
48 7% 15% 0.00 2 48 5% 17% 0.03 2
49 7% 14% 0.00 2 49 5% 16% 0.03 2
50 7% 13% 0.00 2 50 5% 15% 0.03 2
51 7% 12% 0.00 1.8 51 5% 15% 0.03 2.2
52 7% 11% 0.00 1 52 5% 14% 0.03 3
53 7% 11% 0.00 1 53 5% 13% 0.03 3
54 7% 10% 0.00 1 54 5% 13% 0.03 2.4
55 7% 9% 0.00 1 55 5% 12% 0.03 2.2
56 7% 8% 0.00 1 56 5% 11% 0.03 1.8
57 7% 8% 0.00 1 57 74% 11% 0.03 1
58 7% 7% 0.00 0 58 100% 3% 0.03 0
59 100% 7% 0.00 0 59 100% 0% 0.03 0
32
Life tables of European black vulture. Data is smoothed once. Data highlighted in orange were modified for
analysis, as values were deemed unreliable due to the small sample size (<20 individuals).
Males Females
0 40% 100% 0.00 64.7 0 35% 100% 0.00 64.7
1 5% 60% 0.00 54.5 1 1% 65% 0.00 63.3
2 2% 57% 0.00 54.7 2 0% 64% 0.00 73.8
3 2% 56% 0.00 57.9 3 1% 64% 0.00 82
4 3% 55% 0.01 64.3 4 2% 63% 0.00 87.6
5 3% 53% 0.01 63.1 5 4% 62% 0.01 90.1
6 0% 51% 0.02 67.7 6 2% 60% 0.02 89.1
7 0% 51% 0.01 67.8 7 2% 59% 0.02 88
8 0% 51% 0.02 70.7 8 1% 57% 0.03 90.9
9 0% 51% 0.04 70.9 9 1% 57% 0.03 92.7
10 4% 51% 0.05 69.2 10 1% 56% 0.04 94.7
11 3% 49% 0.12 70 11 3% 55% 0.04 93.3
12 3% 48% 0.12 68 12 3% 54% 0.07 91.7
13 2% 47% 0.08 69.2 13 2% 52% 0.07 90.1
14 1% 46% 0.06 65.2 14 2% 51% 0.07 87.8
15 2% 45% 0.07 67.8 15 2% 50% 0.08 85.4
16 1% 45% 0.05 64.9 16 2% 48% 0.09 82.5
17 3% 44% 0.07 61 17 3% 47% 0.09 76
18 2% 42% 0.09 60.7 18 3% 46% 0.09 75.2
19 2% 42% 0.09 59.6 19 3% 45% 0.08 72.5
20 2% 41% 0.10 55.4 20 1% 44% 0.08 66.5
21 2% 40% 0.10 52.7 21 2% 43% 0.08 61.1
22 2% 40% 0.10 49.1 22 2% 42% 0.08 57.9
23 2% 39% 0.08 46.8 23 4% 42% 0.08 52.4
24 4% 38% 0.07 43.1 24 4% 40% 0.08 47.7
25 4% 36% 0.07 42.8 25 5% 38% 0.09 44
26 0% 35% 0.10 40.7 26 5% 37% 0.09 39.4
27 0% 35% 0.10 40.1 27 5% 35% 0.08 36.7
28 2% 35% 0.10 39.9 28 7% 33% 0.04 30.3
29 3% 34% 0.08 39.8 29 15% 31% 0.03 28.1
30 3% 33% 0.07 34.5 30 9% 26% 0.03 25.1
31 3% 32% 0.07 32.6 31 9% 24% 0.02 21
32 3% 31% 0.05 29 32 9% 21% 0.00 20.7
33 3% 30% 0.05 25.7 33 6% 19% 0.00 18.9
34 12% 29% 0.05 23 34 3% 18% 0.00 16.6
35 8% 26% 0.03 19.7 35 3% 18% 0.00 15.2
36 15% 24% 0.03 14.6 36 7% 17% 0.00 14.2
37 10% 20% 0.02 11.7 37 11% 16% 0.00 12.1
38 15% 18% 0.01 8.3 38 11% 14% 0.00 6.8
33

Males Females
39 10% 15% 0.00 6.3 39 20% 13% 0.00 6
40 3% 14% 0.00 4.7 40 5% 10% 0.00 5.1
41 3% 13% 0.00 4 41 5% 10% 0.00 4
42 3% 13% 0.00 4 42 5% 9% 0.00 3.7
43 3% 12% 0.00 4 43 15% 9% 0.00 3
44 13% 12% 0.00 4 44 18% 7% 0.00 2.7
45 40% 11% 0.00 3.3 45 40% 6% 0.00 1.2
46 72% 6% 0.00 3 46 72% 4% 0.00 0
47 100% 2% 0.00 0 47 100% 1% 0.00 0
48 100% 0% 0.00 0 48 100% 0% 0.00 0
Life tables Bearded vulture. Data highlighted in orange were modified for analysis, as some values were deemed
unreliable due to small sample size (<20 individuals) or because the data, converted from an Access database
data into an PMx export file, for some age classed provided impossible values.
Bearded vulture
Males Females
0 32% 100% 0.00 138 0 32% 100% 0.00 131.9
1 4% 68% 0.00 125.1 1 3% 68% 0.00 121.3
2 1% 65% 0.00 115.6 2 2% 66% 0.00 113.2
3 1% 64% 0.00 110 3 1% 65% 0.00 109.8
4 1% 64% 0.00 106.6 4 2% 65% 0.00 106.4
5 1% 63% 0.01 102.8 5 1% 64% 0.00 105.4
6 1% 62% 0.00 97.7 6 1% 63% 0.02 99.7
7 2% 61% 0.04 93.4 7 1% 62% 0.03 91.9
8 2% 60% 0.04 90 8 5% 62% 0.06 84.7
9 2% 59% 0.11 85.6 9 3% 59% 0.08 76.8
10 2% 57% 0.09 83.5 10 0% 57% 0.13 72.0
11 1% 56% 0.09 79.5 11 9% 57% 0.15 66.3
12 1% 55% 0.10 75.5 12 2% 52% 0.15 59.8
13 1% 55% 0.11 71.9 13 0% 51% 0.17 57.4
14 1% 54% 0.12 70.3 14 5% 51% 0.16 55.7
15 0% 53% 0.10 67 15 0% 49% 0.09 52.1
16 3% 53% 0.11 64.2 16 2% 49% 0.18 48.5
17 0% 51% 0.17 61.3 17 4% 48% 0.25 45.7
18 2% 51% 0.20 55.9 18 0% 46% 0.32 39.4
19 2% 51% 0.23 51.5 19 3% 46% 0.29 34.9
20 6% 50% 0.16 48.4 20 3% 44% 0.32 29.9
21 2% 47% 0.17 45.6 21 4% 43% 0.35 27.5
22 2% 46% 0.21 43.7 22 4% 41% 0.36 25.8
34
Bearded vulture
Males Females
23 10% 45% 0.19 38.4 23 4% 40% 0.27 24.3
24 3% 40% 0.22 35.6 24 0% 38% 0.50 23.1
25 6% 39% 0.32 33.8 25 0% 38% 0.30 22.3
26 3% 37% 0.28 30.9 26 0% 38% 0.42 21.5
27 10% 36% 0.41 28 27 4% 38% 0.48 19.8
28 0% 32% 0.29 25.6 28 4% 36% 0.50 17.4
29 8% 32% 0.43 23.6 29 4% 35% 0.50 15.4
30 0% 29% 0.46 22 30 4% 34% 0.50 15.1
31 0% 29% 0.50 21.4 31 4% 32% 0.50 12.5
32 9% 29% 0.50 18.5 32 4% 31% 0.50 10.6
33 9% 26% 0.50 18 33 4% 30% 0.50 8.3
34 9% 24% 0.50 17.6 34 4% 29% 0.50 7.1
35 9% 22% 0.50 15.8 35 4% 27% 0.50 7.0
36 9% 20% 0.50 13.1 36 4% 26% 0.50 7.1
37 9% 18% 0.50 12.5 37 4% 25% 0.50 5.8
38 9% 16% 0.50 10.2 38 4% 24% 0.50 5.0
39 9% 15% 0.50 7.7 39 4% 23% 0.50 4.7
40 9% 14% 0.50 6.6 40 4% 22% 0.50 4.1
41 9% 12% 0.50 6 41 4% 21% 0.50 4.1
42 9% 11% 0.50 6.1 42 4% 21% 0.50 4.1
43 9% 10% 0.50 5.6 43 4% 20% 0.50 3.1
44 9% 9% 0.50 4.2 44 4% 19% 0.50 3.0
45 9% 9% 0.50 3.1 45 4% 18% 0.50 3.0
46 9% 8% 0.50 3.1 46 4% 17% 0.50 3.0
47 9% 7% 0.50 1.7 47 4% 17% 0.50 2.0
48 9% 6% 0.50 1.1 48 50% 16% 0.50 1.6
49 9% 6% 0.50 1.1 49 100% 8% 0.50 0.7
50 9% 5% 0.50 1.1 50 100% 0% 0.50 0.0
51 9% 5% 0.50 1.1
52 100% 4% 0.50 0
53 100% 0% 0.00 0
35
Appendix E
Resources
BirdLife International. 2016. Gyps fulvus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016.
BirdLife International. 2017.Aegypius monachus. (amended version published in 2016) The IUCN Red
List of Threatened Species 2017
BirdLife International. 2017. Gypaetus barbatus. (amended version published in 2016) The IUCN Red
List of Threatened Species 2017
BirdLife International. 2017. Neophron percnopterus. (amended version published in 2016) The IUCN
Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22695180A118600142.
Botha, A. J., Andevski, J., Bowden, C. G. R., Gudka, M., Safford, R. J., Tavares, J., & Williams, N. P.
(2017). Multi-species Action Plan to Conserve African-Eurasian Vultures (Vulture MSAP). CMS
Raptors MOU Technical Publication, (5), 1-164.
Godoy, J. A., Negro, J. J., Hiraldo, F., & Donazar, J. A. (2004). Phylogeography, genetic structure and
diversity in the endangered bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus, L.) as revealed by mitochondrial
DNA. Molecular Ecology, 13(2), 371-390.
Soulé, M., Gilpin, M., Conway, W., & Foose, T. 1986. The millennium ark: how long a voyage, how
many staterooms, how many passengers? Zoo biology, 5(2), 101-113).
36
Appendix F
Definitions
Demographic Terms
Age Distribution – A two-way classification showing the numbers or percentages of individuals in various age
and sex classes.
Ex, Life Expectancy – Average years of further life for an animal in age class x.
Lambda () or Population Growth Rate – The proportional change in population size from one year to the next.
Lambda can be based on life-table calculations (the expected lambda) or from observed changes in population
size from year to year. A lambda of 1.11 means a 11% per year increase; lambda of .97 means a 3% decline in
size per year.
lx, Age-Specific Survivorship – The probability that a new individual (e.g., age 0) is alive at the beginning of age x.
Alternatively, the proportion of individuals which survive from birth to the beginning of a specific age class.
Mx, Fecundity – The average number of same-sexed young born to animals in that age class. Because SPARKS is
typically using relatively small sample sizes, SPARKS calculates Mx as 1/2 the average number of young born to
animals in that age class. This provides a somewhat less "noisy" estimate of Mx, though it does not allow for
unusual sex ratios. The fecundity rates provide information on the age of first, last, and maximum reproduction.
Px, Age-Specific Survival – The probability that an individual of age x survives one time period; is conditional on
an individual being alive at the beginning of the time period. Alternatively, the proportion of individuals which
survive from the beginning of one age class to the next.
Qx, Mortality – Probability that an individual of age x dies during time period. Qx = 1-Px
Risk (Qx or Mx) – The number of individuals that have lived during an age class. The number at risk is used to
calculate Mx and Qx by dividing the number of births and deaths that occurred during an age class by the number
of animals at risk of dying and reproducing during that age class.
The proportion of individuals that die during an age class. It is calculated from the number of animals that die
during an age class divided by the number of animals that were alive at the beginning of the age class (i.e.-"at
risk").
Vx, Reproductive Value – The expected number of offspring produced this year and in future years by an animal
of age.
Genetic Terms
Allele Retention – The probability that a gene present in a founder individual exists in the living, descendant
population.
Current Gene Diversity (GD) -- The proportional gene diversity (as a proportion of the source population) is the
probability that two alleles from the same locus sampled at random from the population will not be identical by
descent. Gene diversity is calculated from allele frequencies, and is the heterozygosity expected in progeny
produced by random mating, and if the population were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.
Effective Population Size (Inbreeding Ne) -- The size of a randomly mating population of constant size with equal
sex ratio and a Poisson distribution of family sizes that would (a) result in the same mean rate of inbreeding as
that observed in the population, or (b) would result in the same rate of random change in gene frequencies
(genetic drift) as observed in the population. These two definitions are identical only if the population is
demographically stable (because the rate of inbreeding depends on the distribution of alleles in the parental
generation, whereas the rate of gene frequency drift is measured in the current generation).
FOKE, First Order Kin Equivalents – The number of first-order kin (siblings or offspring) that would contain the
number of copies of an individuals alleles (identical by descent) as are present in the captive-born population.
Thus an offspring or sib contributes 1 to FOKE; each grand-offspring contributes 1/2 to FOKE; each cousin
contributes 1/4 to FOKE. FOKE = 4*N*MK, in which N is the number of living animals in the captive population.
37
Founder – An individual obtained from a source population (often the wild) that has no known relationship to any
individuals in the derived population (except for its own descendants).
Founder Contribution -- Number of copies of a founder's genome that are present in the living descendants.
Each offspring contributes 0.5, each grand-offspring contributes 0.25, etc.
Founder Genome Equivalents (FGE) – The number wild-caught individuals (founders) that would produce the
same amount of gene diversity as does the population under study. The gene diversity of a population is 1 - 1 /
(2 * FGE).
Founder Genome Surviving – The sum of allelic retentions of the individual founders (i.e., the product of the
mean allelic retention and the number of founders).
Founder Representation -- Proportion of the genes in the living, descendant population that are derived from
that founder. I.e., proportional Founder Contribution.
GU, Genome Uniqueness – Probability that an allele sampled at random from an individual is not present,
identical by descent, in any other living individual in the population. GU-all is the genome uniqueness relative to
the entire population. GU-Desc is the genome uniqueness relative to the living non-founder, descendants.
Inbreeding Coefficient (F) -- Probability that the two alleles at a genetic locus are identical by descent from an
ancestor common to both parents. The mean inbreeding coefficient of a population will be the proportional
decrease in observed heterozygosity relative to the expected heterozygosity of the founder population.
Kinship Value (KV) – The weighted mean kinship of an animal, with the weights being the reproductive values of
each of the kin. The mean kinship value of a population predicts the loss of gene diversity expected in the
subsequent generation if all animals were to mate randomly and all were to produce the numbers of offspring
expected for animals of their age.
Mean Generation Time (T) – The average time elapsing from reproduction in one generation to the time the
next generation reproduces. Also, the average age at which a female (or male) produces offspring. It is not the
age of first reproduction. Males and females often have different generation times.
Mean Kinship (MK) – The mean kinship coefficient between an animal and all animals (including itself) in the
living, captive-born population. The mean kinship of a population is equal to the proportional loss of gene
diversity of the descendant (captive-born) population relative to the founders and is also the mean inbreeding
coefficient of progeny produced by random mating. Mean kinship is also the reciprocal of two times the founder
genome equivalents: MK = 1 / (2 * FGE). MK = 1 - GD.
Percent Known – Percent of an animal's genome that is traceable to known Founders. Thus, if an animal has an
UNK sire, the % Known = 50. If it has an UNK grandparent, % Known = 75.
Prob Lost – Probability that a random allele from the individual will be lost from the population in the next
generation, because neither this individual nor any of its relatives pass on the allele to an offspring. Assumes that
each individual will produce a number of future offspring equal to its reproductive value, Vx.
38

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DRAFT for Review ESB keeper and EEP coordinators

Commented [EF|EEO1]: Note in the document that the

ESB Keeper and EEP Coordinators

Hans Frey Vulture Conservation

The role of all vulture programmes includes to

The role of the Eurasian griffon vulture ESB is to

The role of the European black vulture EEP is to

• Function as a demographically stable, genetically healthy and behaviourally competent

The role of the Bearded vulture EEP is to

The role of the Egyptian vulture EEP is to

Goals, Management strategies and conclusions

Iñigo Sáanchez Eurasian griffon vulture ESB Keeper; ZooBotáanico de Jerez

José Tavares Director, VCF

Cover Photo credit: ©

ESB Studbook keeper / EEP Coordinators

EAZA Falconiformes and Strigiformes TAG Chair and Vice-chair

Eurasian griffon vulture ESB advisors

European black vulture EEP Species Committee, advisors, etc.

Contact Name Email Institution Role

Demographic status Eurasian griffon vulture ESB

Since 1970, the population size has increased continuously

Demographic status European black vulture EEP

The population size has historically gradually increased in

Demographic status Bearded vulture EEP

The population size has increased almost continuously

Genetic status of Eurasian griffon vulture ESB

Genetic status of European black vulture EEP

Genetic status of Bearded vulture EEP

The role of the Eurasian griffon vulture ESB is to

The role of the European black vulture EEP is to

The role of the Egyptian vulture EEP is to

Goals and management strategies

Communication and integration of in situ and ex situ conservation efforts

Eurasian griffon vulture ESB goals and management strategy

 Have a general focus on European species

European black vulture EEP goals and management strategy

Bearded vulture EEP goals and management strategy

Conclusions for Eurasian griffon vulture ESB, European

Appendix A Institutional holdings

Eurasian griffon vulture Institutional holdings

PMx Export for Demographic Analysis Eurasian griffon vulture

PMx Export for Genetic Analysis Eurasian griffon vulture

Export for Demographic and Genetic Analysis European Black vulture

Export for Bearded vulture

Eurasian griffon vulture

European black vulture

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