Skip to main content

Advertisement

Springer Nature Link
Log in

Poison-related mortality effects in the endangered Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) population in Spain

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
European Journal of Wildlife Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A total of 211 poisoning incidents registered over the period 1990–2007 and affecting 294 Egyptian vultures (Neophron percnopterus) were studied to address the impact of poison-related mortality in the Spanish population. Poison-related mortality mainly affected the birds on an individual level, with low numbers of individuals being found in each incident (mean 1.39) with 94.9% being adults. Deaths were largely recorded (81.8%) during the breeding season, with mortality peaking during May and June (52.1%). In contrast with other raptor species, a high proportion of adult individuals (74.2%) were found in the nest or its surroundings. Age-related differences in the poisoning rate are probably related with different feeding and behavioral strategies between age classes. The illegal use of poison to control predators was the main cause of mortality (93.8%), and particularly in small hunting reserves (74.9%), since the kind of food resources that adults exploit are coincident with the type of baits employed to illegally control predators and the preferred habitat coincides with areas of small game hunting. Our results suggest that poisoning is probably one of the main causes of Egyptian vulture mortality in Spain. The eradication of the illegal use of poisoning and supplementary feeding in specific territories to provide safe food seems priority for its conservation.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
€32.70 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price includes VAT (Singapore)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen GT, Veatch JK, Stroud RK, Vendel CG, Poppenga RH, Thompson L, Shafer JA, Braselton WE (1996) Winter poisoning of coyotes and raptors with Furadan-laced carcass baits. J Wildl Dis 32:385–389

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berny P (2007) Pesticides and the intoxication of wild animals. J Vet Pharmacol Ther 30:93–100. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2885.2007.00836.x

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berny P, Gaillet JR (2008) Acute poisoning of Red kites (Milvus milvus) in France: data from the SAGIR network. J Wildl Dis 44:417–426

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • BirdLife International (2004) Birds in Europe: population estimates trends and conservation status. BirdLife International Conservation Series 12. Cambridge

  • Carrete M, Donázar JA, Margalida A (2006) Density-dependent productivity depression in Pyrenean Bearded Vultures: implications for conservation. Ecol Appl 16:1674–1682. doi:10.1890/1051-0761(2006) 016[1674:DPDIPB]2.0.CO;2

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carrete M, Grande JM, Tella JL, Sánchez-Zapata JA, Donázar JA, Díaz-Delgado R, Romo A (2007) Habitat, human pressure and social behavior: partialling out factors affecting large-scale territory extinction in an endangered vulture. Biol Conserv 136:143–154. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2006.11.025

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cuthbert R, Green RE, Ranade S, Saravanan S, Pain DJ, Prakash V, Cunningham AA (2006) Rapid population declines of Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) and red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) in India. Anim Conserv 9:349–354. doi:10.1111/j.1469-1795.2006.00041.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Hoyo J, Elliott A, Sargatal J (1994) Handbook of the birds of the world. Vol. 2. Lynx edicions. Barcelona, Spain

  • Del Moral JC, Martí R (2002) El Alimoche común en España y Portugal. I Censo Coordinado. Año 2000. Monografía no 8. SEO/BirdLife, Madrid

  • Donázar JA (1993) Los buitres ibéricos: biología y conservación. Reyero JM (ed) Madrid

  • Donázar JA (2004) Alimoche común, Neophron percnopterus. In: Madroño A, González C, Atienza JC (eds) Libro rojo de las aves de España. Dirección General para la Biodiversidad /SEO-BirdLife, Madrid, pp 129–131

    Google Scholar 

  • Donázar JA, Ceballos O, Tella JL (1996) Communal roosts of Egyptian vultures (Neophron percnopterus): dynamics and implications for the species conservation. In: Muntaner J, Mayol J (eds) Biology and Conservation of Mediterranean Raptors. Monografía SEO-BirdLife, Madrid, pp 189–201

    Google Scholar 

  • Donázar JA, Palacios CJ, Gangoso L, Ceballos O, González MJ, Hiraldo F (2002) Conservation status and limiting factors in the endangered population of Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) in the Canary Islands. Biol Conserv 107:89–97. doi:10.1016/S0006-3207(02) 00049-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elliot JE, Langelier KM, Mineau P, Wilson LK (1996) Poisoning of Bald eagles and Red-tailed hawks bay carbofuran and fensulfotion iun the Fraser Delta of British Columbia, Canada. J Wildl Dis 32:486–491

    Google Scholar 

  • Elliot JE, Wilson LK, Langelier KM, Mineau P, Sinclair PH (1997) Secondary poisoning of birds of prey by the organoposphorus insecticide, phorate. Ecotoxicology 6:219–231. doi:10.1023/A:1018626811092

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Etheridge B, Summers RW, Green RE (1997) The effects of illegal killing and destruction of nests by humans on the population synamics of the hen harrier Circus cyaneus in Scotland. J Appl Ecol 34:1359–1364. doi:10.2307/2405296

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gangoso L, Álvarez-Lloret P, Rodríguez-Navarro AA, 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. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2008.09.015

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert M, Watson RT, Ahmed S, Asim M, Johnson JA (2007) Vulture restaurants and their role in reducing diclofenac exposure in Asian vultures. Bird Conserv Int 17:63–77. doi:10.1017/S0959270906000621

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gómara B, Ramos L, Gangoso L, Donázar JA, González MJ (2004) Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls and organochlorine pesticides in serum samples of Egyptian vultures (Neophron pecnopterus) from Spain. Chemosphere 55:577–583. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2003.11.034

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • González LM, Margalida A, Mañosa S, Sánchez R, Oria J, Molina JI, Aranda A, Caldera J, Prada L (2007) Causes and spatio-temporal variations of non-natural mortality in the Vulnerable Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti) during a recovery period. Oryx 41:495–502. doi:10.1017/S0030605307414119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grande JM, Serrano D, Tavecchia G, Carrete M, Ceballos O, Díaz-Delgado R, Tella JL, Donázar JA (2008) Survival in a long-lived territorial migrant: effects of life-history traits and ecological conditions in wintering and breeding areas. Oikos. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0706.2008.17218.x

  • Guitart R, Mañosa S, Guerrero X, Mateo R (1999) Animal poisonings: the 10-year experience of a veterinary analytical toxicology laboratory. Vet Hum Toxicol 41:331–335

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Henny CJ, Kolbe EJ, Hill EF, Blus LJ (1987) Case histories of Bald eagles and other raptors killed by organophosphorous insecticides topically applied to livestock. J Wildl Dis 23:292–295

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hernández M (2006) Informe anual sobre el grado de intoxicación de las especies del Catálogo Nacional de Especies Amenazadas. Technical Report, TRAGSA/Ministerio de Medio Ambiente, Madrid

  • Hernández M, Margalida A (2008) Pesticide abuse in Europe: effects on the Cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus) population in Spain. Ecotoxicology 17:264–272. doi:10.1007/s10646-008-0193-1

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hernández M, González LM, Oria J, Sánchez R, Arroyo B (2008) Influence of contamination by organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls on the breeding of the Spanish Imperial Eagles (Aquila adalberti). Environ Toxicol Chem 27:433–441. doi:10.1897/07-308R.1

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hintze J (2001) NCSS and PASS Number cruncher statistical system. Kaysville, Utah

  • Lemus JA, Blanco G, Grande J, Arroyo B, García-Montijano M, Martínez F (2008) Antibiotics threaten wildlife: circulating quinolone residues and disease in Avian Scavengersa. PLoS One 1:e1444. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0001444

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liberatori F, Penteriani V (2001) A long-term analysis of the declining population of the Egyptian vulture in the Italian peninsula: distribution, habitat preference, productivity and conservation implications. Biol Conserv 101:381–389. doi:10.1016/S0006-3207(01) 00086-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Margalida A, Boudet J (2003) Dynamics and age structure in a communal roost of Egyptian Vultures (Neophron percnopterus) in northeastern Spain. J Raptor Res 37:252–256

    Google Scholar 

  • Margalida A, García D, Bertran J, Heredia R (2003) Breeding biology and success of the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) in the eastern Pyrenees. Ibis 145:244–252. doi:10.1046/j.1474-919X.2003.00148.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Margalida A, García D, Cortés-Avizanda A (2007) Factors influencing the breeding density of Bearded Vultures, Egyptian Vultures and Eurasian Griffon Vultures in Catalonia (NE Sapin): management implications. Anim Biodiv Conserv 30:189–200

    Google Scholar 

  • Margalida A, Heredia R, Razin M, Hernández M (2008a) Sources of variation in mortality of the Bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus in Europe. Bird Conserv Int 18:1–10. doi:10.1017/S0959270908000026

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Margalida A, Mañosa S, González LM, Ortega E, Oria J, Sánchez R (2008b) Breeding of non-adults and effects of age on productivity in the Spanish Imperial Eagle Aquila adalberti. Ardea 96:173–180

    Google Scholar 

  • Margalida A, Bertran J, Heredia R (2009) Diet and food preferences of the endangered Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus: a basis for their conservation. Ibis. doi:10.1111/j.1474-919x.2008.00904.x

  • Martinez-Abraín A, Crespo J, Jiménez J, Pullin A, Stewart G, Oro D (2008) Friend or foe: societal shifts from intense persecution to active conservation of top predators. Ardeola 55:111–119

    Google Scholar 

  • Martínez-Haro M, Mateo R, Guitart R, Soler-Rodríguez F, Pérez-López M, María-Mojica P, García-Fernández AJ (2008) Relationship of the toxicity of pesticide formulations and their commercial restrictions with the frequency of animal poisonings. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 69:396–402. doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2007.05.006

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meretsky VJ, Snyder NFR, Beissinger SR, Clendenen DA, Wiley JW (2000) Demography of the California Condor: implication for reestablishment. Conserv Biol 14:957–967. doi:10.1046/j.1523-1739.2000.99113.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mineau P, Fletcher MR, Glaser LC, Thomas NJ, Brassard C, Wilson LK, Elliot JE, Lyon LA, Henny CJ, Bollinger T, Porter SL (1999) Poisoning of raptors with organophosphorus and carbamate pesticides with emphasis in Canada US and UK. J Raptor Res 33:1–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Muzinic J (2007) Poisoning of seventeen Eurasian griffons (Gyps fulvus) in Croatia. J Raptor Res 41:239–242. doi:10.3356/0892-1016(2007) 41[239:POSEGG]2.0.CO;2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oro D, Margalida A, Carrete M, Heredia R, Donázar JA (2008) Testing the goodness of supplementary feeding to enhance population viability in an endangered vulture. PLoS One 3:e4084. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0004084 doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0004084

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ortega E, Mañosa S, Margalida A, Sánchez R, Oria J, González LM (2009) A demographic description of the recovery of the Vulnerable Spanish imperial eagle Aquila adalberti. Oryx 43:113–121. doi:10.1017/S003065307991048

    Google Scholar 

  • Real J, Mañosa S (1997) Demography and conservation of western European Bonelli’s Eagle Hieraaetus fasciatus populations. Biol Conserv 79:59–66. doi:10.1016/S0006-3207(96) 00100-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roy C, Grolleau G, Chamoulaud S, Riviere JL (2005) Plasma B-esterase activities in European raptors. J Wildl Dis 41:184–208

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sarà M, Di Vittorio M (2003) Factors influencing the distribution, abundance and nest-site selection of an endangered Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) population in Sicily. Anim Conserv 6:317–328. doi:10.1017/S1367943003003391

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sokal RR, Rohlf FJ (1995) Biometry, 2nd edn. WH Freeman, San Francisco

    Google Scholar 

  • Tella JL (2001) Action is needed now, or BSE crisis could wipe out endangered birds of prey. Nature 410:408. doi:10.1038/35068717

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Villafuerte R, Viñuela J, Blanco JC (1997) Extensive predator persecution caused by population crash in a game species: the case of Red kites and rabbits in Spain. Biol Conserv 84:181–188. doi:10.1016/S0006-3207(97) 00094-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warnock N, Schwarzbach SE (1995) Incidental kill of Dunlin and Killdeer by strychnine. J Wildl Dis 31:566–569

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Whitfield DP, McLeod DRA, Watson J, Fielding AH, Haworth PF (2003) The association of grouse moor in Scotland with the illegal use of poisons to control predators. Biol Conserv 114:157–163. doi:10.1016/S0006-3207(03) 00019-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitfield DP, Fielding AH, McLeod DRA, Haworth PF (2004a) The effects of persecution on age of breeding and territory occupation in golden eagles in Scotland. Biol Conserv 118:249–259. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2003.09.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitfield DP, Fielding AH, McLeod DRA, Haworth PF (2004b) Modelling the effects of persecution on the population dynamics of golden eagles in Scotland. Biol Conserv 119:319–333. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2003.11.015

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wobeser G, Bollinger T, Leighton FA, Blakley B, Mineau P (2004) Secondary poisoning of eagles following intentional poisoning of coyotes with anticholinesterase pesticides in Western Canada. J Wildl Dis 40:163–172

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Thanks to V. García-Matarranz, R. Sánchez, J. Oria, M. Fernández, J. Caballero, F. Robles, J. A. Blanco, J. Panadero, J. J. Sánchez, E. Tewes, Fondo para la Conservación del Buitre Negro, C. Segovia, C. Atencia, F.J. Fernández y Fernández Arroyo, Fondo para el Refugio de Montejo, D. García and Fondo Amigos del Buitre for data provided for this study. We also thank to F. de Pablo, V. Diez, J.A. Donázar, J. M. Blanco, F. Sánchez, Á. Sánchez, J. I. Molina, M. Diez-del Pozo, O. Alarcia, M. Briones, C. Palacios, I. Antón, A. Senosiaín, I. de Brito, M. Sainz de la Maza, S. Centenera, B. Heredia, L. M. González, personal of the Wildlife Services of Autonomous Communities of Castilla y León, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, Andalucía, Aragón, Cantabria, Asturias, Cabildo de Fuerteventura and Balearic Islands, SEPRONA and Grupo de Trabajo de Ecotoxicología for additional data provided. The comments of two anonymous reviewers improved the manuscript Financial support for MH was obtained from the Dirección General para la Biodiversidad, Ministerio de Medio Ambiente.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio Forense de Vida Silvestre (LFVS), Edificio Alba, C/Rosa de Lima, 1, 28290, Las Matas, Madrid, Spain

    Mauro Hernández

  2. Bearded Vulture Study and Protection Group, Apdo. 43, 25520, El Pont de Suert, Lleida, Spain

    Antoni Margalida

Authors
  1. Mauro Hernández
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Antoni Margalida
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Antoni Margalida.

Additional information

Communicated by C. Gortázar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hernández, M., Margalida, A. Poison-related mortality effects in the endangered Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) population in Spain. Eur J Wildl Res 55, 415–423 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-009-0255-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-009-0255-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation