Clint, Birba, Fabio and Zoe were released by the CERM Association and by ISPRA as part of the LIFE Egyptian vulture project on August 15, 2020, in the same area where ten other birds were released in the summers of 2018 and 2019. The purpose of these difficult operations is to increase the population of the small vulture, which consists of only three breeding pairs in the Italian peninsula.
To make sure that the young Egyptian vultures would not run any risk of poisoning once they were free, the UCA composed of the conductor Appuntato Andrea Lamarucciola and his dog Africa, a splendid Belgian shepherd dog (Malinois), worked for a long time in the liberation area not detecting, fortunately , no evidence of the use of poison.
Thanks to an agreement stipulated between ISPRA and CUFA as part of the LIFE Egyptian vulture project, UCAs will carry out periodic inspections over the next few years and, if necessary, urgent inspections in sensitive areas for the Egyptian vulture; it is an important activity, since the presence of poisoned baits or carcasses of animals that have died from poisoning is a serious danger for the Egyptian vulture.
The movements of the four young vultures released in Basilicata are now followed by visual monitoring and through the signals coming from the GPS with which they are equipped.
To prevent disturbances and poaching, the Carabinieri Forestry Corps carry out control activities in the area; the surveillance of the animals will then be intensified in the areas of migration and rest and, in particular, in western Sicily, an area where the risk of poaching is very high.
For further information on the LIFE Egyptian vulture project please visit the website: www.lifegyptianvulture.it