Telemetry of two griffon vultures

Tracking data from the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, released for International Vulture Awareness Day, shows that two Eurasian Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) released in April 2023 have settled in Armenia and Iraq after crossing eight Middle Eastern countries over 17 months.

The bird 536 settled in Armenia after traveling through Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Türkiye, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran, while the bird 535 settled in Iraq after passing through Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Türkiye, and Iran.

Neither bird has ranged more than 100 km from its chosen site in the past 24 months, suggesting they have joined resident wild Griffon vulture populations. Their combined flight distance was equivalent to circumnavigating the Earth six times.

The reserve's CEO, Andrew Zaloumis, highlighted the role of tracking technology in informing cross-boundary conservation efforts. Although the Eurasian Griffon vulture is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, roughly 70% of the world's vulture species are threatened with extinction. The birds' tracking tags use biodegradable straps and will be monitored for as long as they remain active.

Source: Saudi press agency, https://www.spa.gov.sa/en/w2668129