RT Journal Article
T1 Integration of critically endangered Rüppell’s Vultures with Griffon Vultures in a newly colonized European region
A1 Marcano-Delgado, Michelle
A1 Juan Ramírez, Raimundo Real
A1 Muñoz-Gallego, Antonio Román
K1 Buitres
K1 Especies protegidas
AB The critically endangered Rüppell’s Vulture (Gyps rueppelli), originally from sub-Saharan Africa, has recently begun to establish itself in Europe, specifically in the Iberian Peninsula. This study focuses on understanding the spatial ecology of Rüppell’s Vultures during the breeding season, analyzing movement patterns and home-range sizes of three individuals tagged with GPS in southern Spain. The results show significant differences in home-range sizes between adult and immature vultures, with the immature individual exhibiting larger ranges and exploratory behavior, while adults, particularly during breeding, displayed more localized movements. The integration of Rüppell’s Vultures with Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus), including hybrid breeding attempts, raises conservation concerns regarding potential genetic amalgamation. The study highlights the need for transboundary conservation strategies, as some individuals occasionally enter Portuguese territory during the breeding season. These findings provide crucial insights for the conservation management of this species in Europe, where the vultures’ expanding presence requires coordinated efforts to address threats such as energy infrastructures. Ongoing monitoring is necessary to assess whether these individuals represent a temporary presence or a long-term colonization process.
PB Springer
YR 2026
FD 2026-02
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10630/45741
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10630/45741
LA eng
NO Marcano-Delgado, M., Ramirez, J., Real, R. et al. Integration of critically endangered Rüppell’s Vultures with Griffon Vultures in a newly colonized European region. J Ornithol (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-026-02364-x
NO Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBUA
DS RIUMA. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Málaga
RD 17 mar 2026