Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Birds of Prey pp 457–471Cite as

Old World Vultures in a Changing Environment

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

Abstract

Carrion is a pulsed food resource of unpredictable occurrence in space and time that offers a high nutritive biomass, but is not globally widespread across all habitats and territories, and can be considered free because it does not require a large physical investment derived from predation (Ostfeld and Keesing 2000; DeVault et al. 2003; Selva and Fortuna 2007; Barton et al. 2013; Moleón et al. 2014a). As a result of these features, organisms feeding on this resource have developed morphological and behavioural adaptations to optimise its exploitation (Hertel 1994; DeVault et al. 2003; Moreno-Opo et al. 2015a, 2016), establishing guilds of species as in the case of carrion-eating birds (Selva and Fortuna 2007). Among terrestrial vertebrates, only vultures (families Accipitridae and Cathartidae) have evolved into obligate scavengers (DeVault et al. 2003; Beasley et al. 2015; Moleón et al. 2014b). Scavengers exploit carrion at different levels of intensity, and depending on their degree of carrion consumption and their own adaptive traits, they are defined as either obligate or facultative (DeVault et al. 2003; Wilson and Wolkovich 2011). As a result of the unpredictability in the availability of carcasses, the proportion of obligate scavenger species are scarce in comparison with facultative species that scavenge at variable rates but that can subsist on other food resources in the absence of carrion (DeVault et al. 2003; Beasley et al. 2015; Mateo-Tomás et al. 2015).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   219.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   279.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Anderson MD (2002) Karoo large terrestrial bird powerline project, report no. 1. Eskom, Johannesburg. Unpublished report

    Google Scholar 

  • Angelov I, Hashim I, Oppel S (2013) Persistent electrocution mortality of Egyptian vultures Neophron percnopterus over 28 years in East Africa. Bird Conserv Int 23:1–6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barton PS, Cunningham SA, Lindenmayer DB, Manning AD (2013) The role of carrion in maintaining biodiversity and ecological processes in terrestrial ecosystems. Oecologia 171:761–772

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beasley JC, Olson ZH, DeVault TL (2015) Ecological role of vertebrate scavengers. In: Benbow ME, Tomberlin J, Tarone A (eds) Carrion ecology, evolution, and their application. CRC Press, Boca Raton, pp 107–128

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Becker N, Inbar M, Bahat O, Choresh Y, Ben–Noon G, Yaffe O (2005) Estimating the economic value of viewing griffon vultures Gyps fulvus: a travel cost model study at Gamla Nature Reserve, Israel. Oryx 39:429–434

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beilis N, Esterhuizen J (2005) The potential impact on Cape Griffon Gyps coprotheres populations due to the trade in traditional medicine in Maseru, Lesotho. Vulture News 53:15–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Bellebaum J, Korner-Nievergelt F, Dürr T, Mammen U (2013) Wind turbine fatalities approach a level of concern in a raptor population. J Nat Conserv 21:394–400

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berny P, Vilagines L, Cugnasse JM, Mastain O, Chollet JY, Joncour G, Razin M (2015) VIGILANCE POISON: illegal poisoning and lead intoxication are the main factors affecting avian scavenger survival in the Pyrenees (France). Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 118:71–82

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bevanger K (1998) Biological and conservation aspects of bird mortality caused by electricity power lines: a review. Biol Conserv 86:67–76

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • BirdLife International (2017) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 26 Dec 2017

  • Blanco G, Junza A, Barrón D (2017a) Food safety in scavenger conservation: diet-associated exposure to livestock pharmaceuticals and opportunists mycoses in threatened Cinereous and Egyptian vultures. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 135:292–301

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Blanco G, Junza A, Barrón D (2017b) Occurrence of veterinary pharmaceuticals in golden eagle nestlings: Unnoticed scavenging on livestock carcasses and other potential exposure routes. Sci Total Environ 586:355–361

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Botha CJ, Coetser H, Labuschagne L, Basson A (2015) Confirmed organophosphorus and carbamate pesticide poisonings in South African wildlife (2009–2014). J S Afr Vet Assoc 86:1–4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boumellassa H. (2004) Rapaces nécrophages: concilier conservation de l’espece et minimisation des dispenses, vers un renforcement du lien Agriculture-Environment. D.E.A. Economie de l’Environment et gestion des Resources Naturelles. École Doctorale d’Economie et Mathématiques de Paris-Ouest. Université de Paris X, Nanterre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowden C (2015) Asian vulture crisis-40 million gone, but have we reached a turning point? Curr Conserv 9:4–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Buij R, Nikolaus G, Whytock R, Ingram DJ, Ogada D (2016) Trade of threatened vultures and other raptors for fetish and bushmeat in West and Central Africa. Oryx 50:606–616

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carrete M, Sánchez-Zapata JA, Benítez JR, Lobón M, Donázar JA (2009) Large scale risk-assessment of wind-farms on population viability of a globally endangered long-lived raptor. Biol Conserv 142:2954–2961

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carrete M, Sánchez-Zapata JA, Benítez JR, Lobón M, Montoya F, Donázar JA (2012) Mortality at wind–farms is positively correlated to large–scale distribution and aggregation in griffon vultures. Biol Conserv 145:102–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carpenter, JW, Pattee OH, Fritts SH, Rattner BA., Wiemeyer SN., Royle JA., Smith, MR (2003) Experimental lead poisoning in turkey vultures (Cathartes aura). J Wildl Dis 39:96–104

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Casas-Díaz E, Cristofol C, Cuenca R, Agustín S, Carneiro M, Marco I, Lavín S, Margalida A (2016) Determination of antibiotic residues in plasma of two populations of Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) in Spain. Sci Total Environ 557:620–626

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chaudhry MJI, Ogada DL, Malik RN, Virani MZ, Giovanni MD (2012) First evidence that populations of the critically endangered Long-billed Vulture Gyps indicus in Pakistan have increased following the ban on diclofenac in South Asia. Bird Conserv Int 22:389–397

    Google Scholar 

  • Cortés-Avizanda A, Carrete M, Donázar JA (2010) Managing supplementary feeding for avian scavengers: guidelines for optimal design using ecological criteria. Biol Conserv 143:1707–1715

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cortés-Avizanda A, Blanco G, DeVault TL, Markandya A, Virani MZ, Brandt J, Donázar JA (2016) Supplementary feeding and endangered avian scavengers: benefits, caveats, and controversies. Front Ecol Environ 14:191–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cuthbert R, Parry-Jones J, Green RE, Pain DJ (2007) NSAIDs and scavenging birds: potential impacts beyond Asia’s critically endangered vultures. Biol Lett 3:91–94

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cuthbert RJ, Taggart MA, Prakash V, Chakraborty SS, Deori P, Galligan T, Kulkarni M, Ranade S, Saini M, Sharma AK, Shringarpure R (2014) Avian scavengers and the threat from veterinary pharmaceuticals. Philos Trans Royal Soc B 369:20130574

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeVault TL, Rhodes OE Jr, Shivik JA (2003) Scavenging by vertebrates: behavioral, ecological, and evolutionary perspectives on an important energy transfer pathway in terrestrial ecosystems. Oikos 102:225–234

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Donázar JA (1993) Los buitres ibéricos: biología y conservación. J.M. Reyero Editor, Madrid

    Google Scholar 

  • Donázar JA, Margalida A (2009) European vultures on a knife-edge: the consequences of changes in animal husbandry and sanitary legislation. In: Donázar JA, Margalida A, Campión D (eds) Vultures, feeding stations and sanitary legislation: a conflict and its consequences from the perspective of conservation biology, Munibe 29 (Suplemento). Sociedad de Ciencias Aranzadi, San Sebastián, pp 526–551

    Google Scholar 

  • Donázar JA, Margalida A, Campión D (eds) (2009a) Vultures, feeding stations and sanitary legislation: a conflict and its consequences from the perspective of Conservation Biology, Munibe 29 (Suplemento). Sociedad de Ciencias Aranzadi, San Sebastian

    Google Scholar 

  • Donázar JA, Margalida A, Carrete M, Sánchez-Zapata JA (2009b) Too sanitary for vultures. Science 326:664

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Donázar JA, Cortés-Avizanda A, Carrete M. (2010) Dietary shifts in two vultures after the demise of supplementary feeding stations: consequences of the EU sanitary legislation. European J. Wildl. Res. 56, 613–621

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drewitt AL, Langston RHW (2006) Assessing the impacts of wind farms on birds. Ibis 148:29–42

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dupont H, Mihoub JB, Bobbe S, Sarrazin F (2012) Modelling carcass disposal practices: implications for the management of an ecological service provided by vultures. J Appl Ecol 49:404–411

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (2017) Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). Downloaded from https://www.efsa.europa.eu on 26 Dec 2017

  • Fajardo I, Ruiz A, Zorrilla I, Valero A, Fernández I, Sáez E, Molino FM, Olivares J (2012) Use of specialised canine units to detect poisoned baits and recover forensic evidence in Andalucía (Southern Spain). In: Richards NL (ed) Carbofuran and wildlife poisoning: global perspectives and forensic approaches. Wiley, Chichester, pp 147–155

    Google Scholar 

  • Gangoso L, Álvarez-Lloret P, Rodríguez-Navarro A a B, Mateo R, Hiraldo F, Donázar JA (2009) Long-term effects of lead poisoning on bone mineralization in vultures exposed to ammunition sources. Environ Pollut 157:569–574

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • González LM, Margalida A, Mañosa S, Sánchez R, Oria J (2007) Causes and spatio-temporal variations of non-natural mortality in the globally endangered Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti) during a recovery period. Oryx 41:495–502

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Green RE, Taggart MA, Das D, Pain DJ, Kumar CS, Cunningham AA, Cuthbert R (2004) Collapse of Asian vulture populations: risk of mortality from residues of the veterinary drug diclofenac in carcasses of treated cattle. J Appl Ecol 43:949–956

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Green RE, Taggart MA, Das D, Pain DJ, Sashi Kumar C, Cunningham AA, Cuthbert R (2006) Collapse of Asian vulture populations: risk of mortality from residues of the veterinary drug diclofenac in carcasses of treated cattle. J Appl Ecol 43:949–956

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Green RE, Donázar JA, Sánchez-Zapata JA, Margalida A (2016) The threat to Eurasian griffon vultures Gyps fulvus in Spain from veterinary use of the drug diclofenac. J Appl Ecol 53:993–1003

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guil F, Fernández-Olalla M, Moreno-Opo R, Mosqueda I, García ME, Aranda A, Arredondo A, Guzmán J, Oria J, González LM, Margalida A (2011) Minimising mortality in endangered raptors due to power lines: the importance of spatial aggregation to optimize the application of mitigation measures. PLoS One 6:e28212

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guil F, Colomeer MA, Moreno-Opo R, Margalida A (2015) Space-time trends in Spanish bird electrocution rates from alternative information sources. Glob Ecol Conserv 3:379–388

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • GWEC (2015). Global Wind Report. Annual Market Update 2015. Global Wind Energy Council. Downloaded from htpps://www.gwec.net on 30 Dec 2017

    Google Scholar 

  • Guitart R, Sachana M, Caloni F, Croubels S, Vandenbroucke V, Berny P (2010) Animal poisoning in Europe. Part 3: wildlife. Vet J 183:260–265

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hernández M, Margalida A (2008) Pesticide abuse in Europe: effects on the Cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus) population in Spain. Ecotoxicology 17:264–272

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hernández M, Margalida A (2009a) Poison-related mortality effects in the endangered Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) population in Spain: conservation measures. Eur J Wildl Res 55:415–423

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hernández M, Margalida A (2009b) Assessing the risk of lead exposure for the conservation of the endangered Pyrenean bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) population. Environ Res 109:837–842

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hernández M, Colomer MA, Pizarro M, Margalida A (2018) Changes in eggshell thickness and ultrastructure in the Bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) Pyrenean population: a long-term analysis. Sci Total Environ 624:713–721

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hertel F (1994) Diversity in body size and feeding morphology within past and present vulture assemblages. Ecology 75:1074–1084

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Houston D (2001) Condors & vultures. Colin Baxter Photography, Grantown-on-Spey

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt WG, Burnham W, Parish CN, Burnham KK, Mutch B, Oaks JL (2006) Bullet fragments in deer remains: implications for lead exposure in avian scavengers. Wildl Soc Bull 34:167–170

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins AR, Smallie JJ, Diamond M (2010) Avian collisions with power lines: a global review of causes and mitigation with a south African perspective. Bird Conserv Int 20:263–278

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly TR, Bloom PH, Torres SG, Hernandez YZ, Poppenga RH, Boyce WM, Johnson CK (2011) Impact of the California lead ammunition ban on reducing lead exposure in golden eagles and turkey vultures. PLoS One 6:e17656

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lambertucci SA, Donázar JA, Delgado A, Jiménez B, Sáez M, Sánchez-Zapata JA, Hiraldo F (2011) Widening the problem of lead poisoning to a South-American top scavenger: lead concentrations in feathers of wild Andean condors. Biol Conserv 144:1464–1471

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lambertucci SA, Alarcón PAE, Hiraldo F, Sánchez-Zapata JA, Blanco G, Donázar JA (2014) Apex scavenger movements call for transboundary conservation policies. Biol Conserv 170:145–150

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ledger JA, Annegarn HJ (1981) Electrocution hazards to the cape vulture Gyps coprotheres in South Africa. Biol Conserv 20:15–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lehman RN, Kennedy PL, Savidge JA (2007) The state of the art in raptor electrocution research: a global review. Biol Conserv 136:159–174

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leshem Y (1985) Griffon vultures in Israel: electrocution and other reasons for a declining population. Vulture News 13:14–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Mander M, Diederichs N, Ntuli L, Mavundla K, Williams V, McKean S (2007) Survey of the trade in vultures for the traditional health industry in South Africa. FutureWorks, Durban

    Google Scholar 

  • Margalida A (2012) Baits, budget cuts: a deadly mix. Science 338:192–192

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Margalida A, Colomer MA (2012) Modelling the effects of sanitary policies on European vulture conservation. Sci Rep 2:753

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Margalida A, Oliva-Vidal P (2017) The shadow of diclofenac hangs over European vultures. Nat Ecol Evol 1:1050

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Margalida A, Heredia R, Razin M, Hernández M (2008) Sources of variation in mortality of the Bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus in Europe. Bird Conserv Int 18:1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Margalida A, Donázar JA, Carrete M, Sánchez Zapata JA (2010) Sanitary versus environmental policies: fitting together two pieces of the puzzle of European vulture conservation. J Appl Ecol 47:931–935

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Margalida A, Campión D, Donázar JA (2011a) European vultures’ altered behaviour. Nature 480:457

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Margalida A, Colomer MA, Sanuy D (2011b) Can wild ungulate carcasses provide enough biomass to maintain avian scavenger populations? An empirical assessment using a bio-inspired computational model. PLoS One 6:e20248

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Margalida A, Carrete M, Sánchez-Zapata JA, Donázar JA (2012) Good news for European vultures. Science 335:284–284

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Margalida A, Arlettaz R, Donázar JA (2013a) Poisoning and lead ammunition: further international agreements are needed to preserve vultures and the crucial sanitary service they provide. Environ Sci Technol 47:5522–5523

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Margalida A, Carrete M, Hegglin D, Serrano D, Arenas R, Donázar JA (2013b) Uneven large-scale movement patterns in wild and reintroduced pre-adult bearded vultures: conservation implications. PLoS One 8:e65857

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Margalida A, Campión D, Donázar JA (2014a) Vultures vs livestock: conservation relationships in an emerging conflict between humans and wildlife. Oryx 48:172–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Margalida A, Sánchez-Zapata JA, Blanco G, Hiraldo F, Donázar JA (2014b) Diclofenac approval as a threat to Spanish vultures. Conserv Biol 28:631–632

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Margalida A, Colomer MÀ, Oro D (2014c) Man-induced activities modify demographic parameters in a long-lived species: effects of poisoning and health policies. Ecol Appl 24:436–444

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Margalida A, Bogliani G, Bowden C, Donázar JA, Genero F, Gilbert M, Karesh W, Kock R, Lubroth J, Manteca X, Naidoo V, Neimanis A, Sánchez-Zapata JA, Taggart M, Vaarten J, Yon L, Kuiken T, Green RE (2014d) One health approach to use of pharmaceuticals. Science 346:1296–1298

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Markandya A, Taylor T, Longo A, Murty MN, Murty S, Dhavala K (2008) Counting the cost of vulture decline – an appraisal of the human health and other benefits of vultures in India. Ecol Econ 67:194–204

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mateo-Tomás P, Olea PP, Sánchez-Barbudo IS, Mateo R (2012) Alleviating human-wildlife conflicts: identifying the causes and mapping the risk of illegal poisoning of wild faun. J Appl Ecol 49:376–385

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mateo-Tomás P, Olea PP, Moleón M, Vicente J, Botella F, Selva N, Viñuela J, Sánchez-Zapata JA (2015) From regional to global patterns in vertebrate scavenger communities subsidized by big game hunting. Divers Distrib 21:913–924

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moleón M, Sánchez-Zapata JA, Margalida A, Carrete M, Donázar JA, Owen-Smith N (2014a) Hominids and scavengers: the evolution of interactions and ecosystem services. Bioscience 64:394–403

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moleón M, Sánchez-Zapata JA, Selva N, Donázar JA, Owen-Smith N (2014b) Inter-specific interactions linking predation and scavenging in terrestrial vertebrate assemblages. Biol Rev 89:1042–1054

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Morales-Reyes Z, Pérez-García JM, Moleón M, Botella F, Carrete M, Lazcano C, Moreno-Opo R, Margalida A, Donázar JA, Sánchez-Zapata JA (2015) Supplanting ecosystem services provided by scavengers raises greenhouse gas emissions. Sci Rep 5:7811

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morales-Reyes Z, Pérez-García JM, Moleón M, Botella F, Carrete M, Donázar JA, Cortés-Avizanda A, Arrondo E, Moreno-Opo R, Margalida A, Sánchez-Zapata JA (2017) Evaluation of the network of protection areas for the feeding of scavengers (PAFs) in Spain: from biodiversity conservation to greenhouse gas emission savings. J Appl Ecol 54:1120–1129

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moreno-Opo R, Trujillano A, Arredondo Á, González LM, Margalida A (2015a) Manipulating size, amount and appearance of food inputs to optimize supplementary feeding programs for European vultures. Biol Conserv 181:27–35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moreno-Opo R, Trujillano A, Margalida A (2015b) Optimization of supplementary feeding programs for European vultures depend on environmental and management factors. Ecosphere 6:127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moreno-Opo R, Trujillano A, Margalida A (2016) Behavioural coexistence and feeding efficiency drive niche partitioning at carcasses within the guild of European avian scavengers. Behav Ecol 27:1041–1052

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mundy PJ, Butchart D, Ledger J, Piper S (1992) The vultures of Africa. Academic Press, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Murn C, Botha A (2017) A clear and present danger: impacts of poisoning on a vulture population and the effect of poison response activities. Oryx. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605316001137

  • Naidoo V, Wolter K, Cromarty AD, Bartels P, Bekker L, McGaw L, Taggart MA, Cuthbert R, Swan GE (2008) The pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in vultures. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 31:128–134

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Naidoo V, Wolter K, Cuthbert R, Duncan N (2009) Veterinary diclofenac threatens Africa’s endangered vulture species. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 53:205–208

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Naidoo V, Wolter K, Botha CJ (2017) Lead ingestion as a potential contributing factor to the decline in vulture populations in southern Africa. Environ Res 152:150–156

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nikolaus G (1984) Large numbers of birds killed by electric power line. Scopus 8:42

    Google Scholar 

  • Northrup JM, Wittenmeyer G (2012) Characterising the impacts of emerging energy development on wildlife, with an eye towards mitigation. Ecol Lett 16: 112–125

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oaks JL, Gilbert M, Virani MZ, Watson RT, Meteyer CU, Rideout BA, Shivaprasad HL, Ahmed S, Chaudhry MJI, Arshad M, Mahmood S (2004) Diclofenac residues as the cause of vulture population decline in Pakistan. Nature 427:630–633

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ogada DL (2014) The power of poison: pesticide poisoning of Africa’s wildlife. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1322:1–20

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ogada DL, Keesing F, Virani MZ (2012a) Dropping dead: causes and consequences of vulture population declines worldwide. Ann N Y Acad Sci 1249:57–71

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ogada DL, Torchin ME, Kinnaird MF, Ezenwa VO (2012b) Effects of vulture declines on facultative scavengers and potential implications for mammalian disease transmission. Conserv Biol 26:453–460

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ogada D, Shaw P, Beyers RL, Buij R, Murn C, Thiollay JM, Beale CM, Holdo RM, Pomeroy D, Baker N, Krüger SC, Botha A, Virani MZ, Monadjem A, Sinclair ARE (2016a) Another continental vulture crisis: Africa’s vultures collapsing toward extinction. Conserv Lett 9:89–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ogada D, Botha A, Shaw P (2016b) Ivory poachers and poisons; drivers of Africa’s declining vulture populations. Oryx 50:593–596

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ostfeld RS, Keesing F. (2000) Pulsed resources and community dynamics of consumers in terrestrial ecosystems. Trends Ecol Evol. 15:232–237

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pattee OH, Wiemeyer SN, Mulhern BM, Sileo L, Carpenter JW (1981) Experimental Lead-Shot Poisoning in Bald Eagles. J Wildl Manage 45:806–810

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Piper SE (2005) Supplementary feeding programmes: how necessary are they for the maintenance of numerous and healthy vulture populations. In: Conservation and management of vulture populations. Thessaloniki, Greece pp 41–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Prakash V (1999) Status of vultures in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, with special reference to population crash in Gyps species. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 96:365–378

    Google Scholar 

  • Prakash V, Pain DJ, Cunningham AA, Donald PF, Prakash N, Verma A, Gargi R, Sivakumar S, Rahmani AR (2003) Catastrophic collapse of Indian white-backed Gyps bengalensis and long-billed Gyps indicus vulture populations. Biol Conserv 109:381–390

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prakash V, Green RE, Pain DJ, Ranade SP, Saravanan S, Prakash N, Venkitachalam R, Cuthbert R, Rahmani AR, Cunningham AA (2007) Recent changes in populations of resident Gyps vultures in India. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 104:129–135

    Google Scholar 

  • Prakash V, Bishwakarma MC, Chaudhary A, Cuthbert R, Dave R, Kulkarni M, Kumar S, Paudel K, Ranade S, Shringarpure R, Green RE (2012) The population decline of Gyps vultures in India and Nepal has slowed since veterinary use of diclofenac was banned. PLoS One 7:e49118

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reid T, Kruger S, Whitfield DP, Amar A (2015) Using spatial analyses of bearded vulture movements in southern Africa to inform wind turbine placement. J Appl Ecol 52:881–892

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richards N (ed) (2012) Carbofuran and wildlife poisoning: global perspectives and forensic approaches. Wiley, Chichester

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz-Suárez N, Boada LD, Henríquez-Hernández LA, González-Moreo F, Suárez-Pérez A, Camacho M, Zumbado M, Almeida-González M, del Mar Travieso-Aja M, Luzardo OP (2015) Continued implication of the banned pesticides carbofuran and aldicarb in the poisoning of domestic and wild animals of the Canary Islands (Spain). Sci Total Environ 505:1093–1099

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saidu Y, Buij R (2013) Traditional medicine trade in vulture parts in northern Nigeria. Vulture News 65:4–14

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Selva N, Fortuna MA (2007) The nested structure of a scavenger community. Proc R Soc Lond B 274:1101–1108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sutherland WJ, Pullin AS, Dolman PM, Knight TM (2004) The need for evidence-based conservation. Trends Ecol Evol 19:305–308

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Steidl RJ, Griffin CR, Niles LJ (1991) Contaminant levels of osprey eggs and prey reflect regional differences in reproductive success. J Wildl Manage 55:601–608

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Swan GE, Cuthbert R, Quevedo M, Green RE, Pain DJ, Bartels P, Cunningham AA, Duncan N, Meharg AA, Oaks JL, Parry-Jones J (2006a) Toxicity of diclofenac to Gyps vultures. Biol Lett 2:279–282

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Swan G, Naidoo V, Cuthbert R, Green RE, Pain DJ, Swarup D, Prakash V, Taggart M, Bekker L, Das D, Diekmann J (2006b) Removing the threat of diclofenac to critically endangered Asian vultures. PLoS Biol 4:e66

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Swarup DPRC, Patra RC, Prakash V, Cuthbert R, Das D, Avari P, Pain DJ, Green RE, Sharma AK, Saini M, Taggart M (2007) Safety of meloxicam to critically endangered Gyps vultures and other scavenging birds in India. Anim Conserv 10:192–198

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taggart MA, Senacha KR, Green RE, Jhala YV, Raghavan B, Rahmani AR, Cuthbert R, Pain DJ, Meharg AA (2007) Diclofenac residues in carcasses of domestic ungulates available to vultures in India. Environ Int 33:759–765

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tella JL (2001) Action is needed now, or BSE crisis could wipe out endangered birds of prey. Nature 410:408

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tellería JL (2009) Potential impacts of wind farms on migratory birds crossing Spain. Bird Conserv Int 19:131–136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tingay RE, McAdam D, Taylor MJ (2012) Perspectives on wildlife poisoning by carbofuran in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland–with a particular focus on Scotland. In: Richards N (ed) Carbofuran and Wildlife Poisoning: Global Perspectives and Forensic Approaches. Wiley, Chichester, pp 171–188

    Google Scholar 

  • Tintó A, Real J, Mañosa S (2010) Predicting and correcting electrocution of birds in Mediterranean areas. J Wildl Manag 74:1852–1862

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson EE, Wolkovich EM (2011) Scavenging: how carnivores and carrion structure communities. Trends Ecol Evol 26:129–135

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zuberogoitia I, Martínez JE, Margalida A, Gómez I, Azkona A, Martínez JA (2010) Reduced food availability induces behavioural changes in Griffon vulture. Ornis Fennica 87:52–60

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge all people involved in different scientific and conservation projects related with vulture conservation that provided most of the data at which this chapter was based. D. O. acknowledges N. Richards for the assistance with references. A. M. was supported by a Ramón y Cajal research contract by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (RYC-2012-11867).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Animal Science (Division of Wildlife), Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain

    Antoni Margalida

  2. Division of Conservation Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

    Antoni Margalida

  3. The Peregrine Fund, Boise, ID, USA

    Darcy Ogada

  4. Ornithology Section, National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya

    Darcy Ogada

Authors
  1. Antoni Margalida
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Darcy Ogada
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Antoni Margalida .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centro para el Estudio y Conservación de las Aves Rapaces en Argentina (CECARA), Universidad Nacional de La Pampa (UNLPam) & Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de Argentina (CONICET), Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina

    José Hernán Sarasola

  2. Centro para el Estudio y Conservación de las Aves Rapaces en Argentina (CECARA), Universidad Nacional de La Pampa (UNLPam) & Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas de Argentina (CONICET), Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina

    Juan Manuel Grande

  3. Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Doñana Biological Station (EBD-CSIC), Seville, Spain

    Juan José Negro

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Margalida, A., Ogada, D. (2018). Old World Vultures in a Changing Environment. In: Sarasola, J., Grande, J., Negro, J. (eds) Birds of Prey. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-73745-4_19

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation