The state of Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) in Armenia / Stav supa bělohlavého (Gyps fulvus) v Arménii

Abstract

The last update of conservation status of Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) in Armenia was implemented in 2009, including data collected in 2003–2008. The current update of conservation status of the species in the country considers data collected from 2003 until 2019. Results show that the species population consists of 48–54 breeding pairs. Such trend demonstrates moderate increase of population. The annual breeding success measured as fledglings per occupied nest was also increased from 71% in 2003 to 79% in 2019. Current threats are related to direct tracing down for trophy or to domesticate as pet. One of possible paths of domestication can be related to catching of the birds, which have been poisoned by heavy metals at municipal dumps or by use of Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The proposed conservation measures include (1) change in trophy policy and captive breeding, particularly meaning listing down all existing specimens and introduction of obligatory procedure of issuing a certificate of origin for each new specimen; (2) stricter penalization for illegal shooting or trapping; (3) strengthening of inspection body to improve control; (4) improving public outreach aimed at raising the value of this species; (5) study of application of Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in livestock husbandry; (6) improving waste management. These measures should be accompanied by species’ monitoring.

Keywords

• griffon vulture
• gyps fulvus
• armenia
• conservation status
• population dynamics