[Summer Course of the UNED-Spanish Open University- Plasencia (Cáceres), 9th to 13th July 2007]
The participants in the Symposium on Vultures would like to thank the UNED at Ávila in 2001, Barbastro (Huesca) in 2004 and Plasencia (Cáceres) in 2007 for their excellent welcoming, and the kind assistance received from other institutions, various public and private entities as well as a vast number of people.
Given the seriousness of the problems currently affecting the populations of vultures and the need to resolve them before it is too late, the participants to the III Symposium reassert the conclusions of the two prior symposia which are still valid today, especially if we take into account the recent worsening of some of the threats that were foreseen then. In addition, they particularly highlight the following points:
1) It is important to preserve the interactions of the vultures with the extensive cattle breeding in order to ensure the survival of both and to prevent an excessively rigid legislation from provoking a disaster.Vultures need to be urgently recognised as an essential part of sustainable development, as they:
- Get rid of dead animals in the most traditional, natural and economical way that can be imagined,
- Preserve a type of extensive cattle breeding which is very beneficial not only for biodiversity (of which the vultures are an important part) but also for humans (to obtain high quality products).
- Promote eco-tourism, which is in increasing demand and has to take place in a respectful way and in places where it does not cause significant alterations. Vultures are beautiful, the emblem of a well balanced nature and an hallmark of environmental quality.
- Avoid the release of many gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect. The collection, transportation and incineration of thousands and thousands of carcasses generate fuel consumption and a considerable release of carbon dioxide that could be easily avoided by allowing the vultures to carry out their function. This would contribute significantly to the removal of biomass and the reduction of pollution. It is a serious mistake not to take this into consideration for the future.
- Reduce the risk of disease transmission which is greatly increased with the collection and transportation of carcasses from one farm to another.
2) Implementation in a useful and effective manner, in all the Autonomous Regions, of the Royal Decree 664/2007 dated 25th May (official Gazette dated 5th June) regarding the feeding of necrophagous raptors is an urgent issue; so is the legalization of the dumping of remains from certain animal farms. Joint management and data interchange with local experienced NGOS is advisable.
The creation and management of vulture feeding places ("muladares") at every farm is recommended, thus decongesting some of the large muladares.With regards to the Egyptian Vulture, small muladares specifically aimed at this species are required. Additional ways of feeding near the breeding and roosting grounds also need to be taken into account and promoted.
With regards to the Lammergeier, the increase of the reproductive success of the pairs whose failure is linked to the lack of resources is recommended through additional feeding of these specific pairs in the area around the nesting grounds. The current management of the large feeding stations should be optimised.
At the national level, beyond the strategies of the Autonomous Regions and through the implementation of the legal settings of the European Union, a plan must be developed to allow the recovery (or stability, depending on the case) of the balance allowing the conservation of the current population of scavenger birds in Spain.
In Portugal, the situation should be clarified so that the remains of hunting species can be left in the field, without the need to set up muladares, in accordance with European Directives.
3) The illegal use of poisoned baits has alarmingly become generalised over the last few years and is having a big impact on the populations of scavenger birds, doing away with many of the conservation achievements obtained over the last decades.
Eradication of the use of poison is one if the most important measures for the conservation of all the species of vultures and in general of all the scavenger birds. The active fight against poison must include the creation of patrols with specially trained dogs (as is already done in some regions), as well as raising the awareness of the hunting associations.
Coordination between the different Autonomous Regions is required so as to improve the effectiveness of the strategies to eradicate the illegal use of poisoned baits. International cooperation with France and Portugal as well as the exchange of experience and procedures must also improve.
The main obstacle for the eradication of poison is due to the complicity between the various entities involved, including even sometimes the Environmental Administration itself.
4) The installation of wind generators near vulture territories, roosts and feeding grounds must be forbidden; they should be forbidden not only in the nesting areas but also in the feeding or resting areas, passage routes and connecting areas between vulture colonies.Maps indicating total exclusion zones for wind farms as well as preferential exclusion zones should be produced, taking into account the Important Areas for vultures and other birds (including protected species) as well as the Special Interest Habitats.
5) The installation of power lines and other infrastructures that alter the habitat are a cause of unnatural mortality of various species of vultures (as well as many other birds). The new structures must be placed in such a way as to prevent electrocution and collision. With regards to the existing power lines, measures should be taken to correct as much as possible the negative impact on the vultures and other birds.
6) The global conservation of habitats and the environment is essential to various species of vultures (including the rarest ones) and other birds. We condemn, specifically, unnecessary works conducted in natural protected areas and which are in conflict with the protection of habitats and species. It is unacceptable and hypocritical that the Administration's departments, responsible for conservation, accept or even promote the impoverishment and occupation of these habitats.
The conservation of habitats (and also of species) should be a priority in the PORN and PRUG plans that have to be developed and respected in protected areas; it should also be a priority in the other legal instruments linked to the management of scavenger bird populations and their habitats.
In properties where the black vulture lives, forest and agricultural management should be made compatible with the conservation of this species.
7) Human interference is in many cases a real problem that mustn't be underestimated, especially in the breeding areas and during the breeding seasons.
Except for very early and late cases, and taking into account local variations, the sensitive period for the breeding of vultures in the Iberian Peninsula is as follows:
For the Lammergeir: from 10th December to 15th August
For the Black Vulture: from 15th January to 30th September
For the Egyptian Vulture: from 1st March to 15th September
For the Griffon Vulture: from 15th December to 31st August
Where the black vulture breeds in cork oaks, the extraction of the cork should be done when the chicks in the nearby nests are 35 to 75 days old; if no monitoring has been conducted, then it should take place between the 1st of June and the 1st of July, always under the supervision of the rangers or qualified personnel.
In addition, educational, information and awareness campaigns are needed for children and adults.
8) Reintroduction projects involve a considerable effort that needs to be maintained in the very long term. They must be conducted in accordance with the directives of the IUCN, as has been done in some older projects that have been successful in Europe. More specifically, they should be conducted only once the causes of extinction of the species have disappeared, without harming the wild populations, and having previously obtained the maximum possible consensus between the involved parties.
9) With regards to other issues that affect vultures in Europe and in the World, we refer to the conclusions of the previous Symposia.
10) It is only fair to praise the great effort carried out in favour of the vultures and the wildlife by many individuals and entities. The current situation of the scavenger birds and their environment would be much worse without this noble and generous work, discreet but constant, and frequently thanks to real personal sacrifices that have not always been recognised as deserved.
This III Symposium is especially dedicated to some of the great naturalists whose work has been decisive and who died after the previous symposium: David Gómez Samitier, founding member of the Fondo Amigos del Buitre, his wife Lourdes Mairal, and their daughters Jara and Iris; also to the Swiss ornithologist Daniel Magnenat. Attached are summaries of their commendable work.The III Symposium is also dedicated to the great wardens of WWF/Adena at the Montejo Raptor Refuge (Montejo's Reserve for Birds of Prey), Hoticiano Hernando (current Honorary Warden) and Jesús Hernando Iglesias; to all the wardens that have managed to convert their vocation in a profession, even with very few means and recognition; and to all the naturalists who generously dedicate their lives to defend the wildlife and our valuable natural heritage overcoming much ignorance and many difficulties.
With regards to the scavengers, we wish to support especially the work conducted for decades by associations such as the already mentioned Fondo Amigos del Buitre in Aragón.In addition, all the participants (speakers and students) to the III Symposium on Vultures agree, also by unanimity, to congratulate the Fondo para el Refugio de las Hoces del Riaza, for its continued work in favour of these habitats and for all the battles fought to defend them, specifically supporting its opposition to the planned "senda larga" (long trail), opposition backed by the Ombudsman ("Defensor del Pueblo") in his report 16-5-2006 (05-MKB-AJF; file Nº: Q0502445; registration nº 06031482). They also wish to thank the support found with regards to this matter in many nature conservation associations and hope that this support may be extended to all associations in the future, to form once again a common front against a serious conservation threat. We can't forget the beautiful heritage that Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente left us.
On the other hand, the conservation of a protected area must have priority over its use for tourist activities, something especially important in a case like this one.We must also acknowledge the extremely valuable and varied work of other associations and organizations, in Spain as well as in other countries, to defend the scavenger birds and their environment.Finally, the participants to the III Symposium on Vultures reassert their congratulations to the UNED (Spanish Open University) and wish to encourage future Symposia.
(Translated by Claire Graham). Sept, 2007
