First description of movement and ranging behavior of the Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) from Serbia using GPS satellite tracking
Abstract:
Understanding the movement pattern and ranging behavior of the Griffon vulture population in Serbia is of great importance for prioritizing conservation action. In 2011, an immature vulture was the first bird to be equipped with a satellite transmitter in Serbia. Our study aims to define the vulture’s foraging areas, home ranges, core and basic areas, and to investigate movement patterns across different years and seasons by analyzing satellite telemetry data. We tracked the movements of the vulture for over three years and obtained satellite tracking data for 34 bird-months (1976 GPS fixes) between October 2011 and July 2014. We determined that the overall foraging area of the vulture across the entire study period was 11654.34 km2. The overall area used by the vulture was larger during spring and summer than during winter periods. Combined ranges across all years identified one basic area and its associated core area around the Uvac colony and nearby feeding site; we identified three core areas in its proximity. This study showed that areas of traditional stock-raising practices are important vulture foraging areas and that supplementary feeding sites have a vital role. Our maps can be used for future planning of vulture conservation measures.
Keywords:
Griffon vulture Gyps fulvus; Conservation; Necrophagous species; Ranging behavior; Seasonal movementsSource:
Archives of Biological Sciences, 2021, 73, 2, 185-195Funding / projects:
- Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia, institutional funding - 200007 (University of Belgrade, Institute for Biological Research 'Siniša Stanković') (RS-MESTD-inst-2020-200007)
- Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning of the Republic of Serbia 41-00-209/2009-01/1
- Birds of Prey Protection Foundation
DOI: 10.2298/ABS201210013H
ISSN: 0354-4664
WoS: 000672864900003
Scopus: 2-s2.0-85111378233
URI
http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/Article.aspx?ID=0354-46642100013Hhttps://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/4448