70-79 pairs. Decreasing considerably in range and numbers. Broken patchy distribution, concentrat... more 70-79 pairs. Decreasing considerably in range and numbers. Broken patchy distribution, concentrated in Eastern Rhodopi, Eastern Balkan, Provadiysko-Royaksko Plato, Lomovete, northern part of the Iskar Valley and some valleys in Dorudzha. Single nesting localities at Western Balkan and Fore Balkan.
The Egyptian Vulture has been classified as ‘Endangered’ due to a rapid population decline in
Ind... more The Egyptian Vulture has been classified as ‘Endangered’ due to a rapid population decline in India and long term declines in Europe and Africa. Although the species has been reported to be declining in Eastern Europe, no quantitative assessment of the magnitude or the causes for population declines are available. We used monitoring data from the Balkan Peninsula to estimate changes in population size and extent of occurrence of Egyptian Vultures between 1980 and 2013. We quantified population trends in three countries (Bulgaria, Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic [FYR] of Macedonia) to assess whether population declines are similar within the Balkan range states. We found a rapid and consistent decline of the Egyptian Vulture population that was largely similar among the three countries ( = 0.940 in FYR of Macedonia, 0.951 in Bulgaria, 0.920 in Greece). As a consequence of population declines, the breeding range of Egyptian Vultures has contracted and the population in the Balkan Peninsula has fragmented into six subpopulations separated by more than 80 km. Population declines may be driven by factors such as poisoning, electrocution, direct persecution and changes in food availability which operate at large spatial scales and affect birds both on breeding grounds as well as during migration and wintering. Because the relative importance of threats to the survival of Egyptian Vultures are poorly understood, there is a critical need for research into causes of mortality and potential conservation actions that may halt and reverse population declines.
The Egyptian Vulture has been classified as ‘Endangered’ due to a rapid population decline in Ind... more The Egyptian Vulture has been classified as ‘Endangered’ due to a rapid population decline in India and long term declines in Europe and Africa. Although the species has been reported to be declining in Eastern Europe, no quantitative assessment of the magnitude or the causes for population declines are available. We used monitoring data from the Balkan Peninsula to estimate changes in population size and extent of occurrence of Egyptian Vultures between 1980 and 2013. We quantified population trends in three countries (Bulgaria, Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic [FYR] of Macedonia) to assess whether population declines are similar within the Balkan range states. We found a rapid and consistent decline of the Egyptian Vulture population that was largely similar among the three countries (λ = 0.940 in FYR of Macedonia, 0.951 in Bulgaria, 0.920 in Greece). As a consequence of population declines, the breeding range of Egyptian Vultures has contracted and the population in the Balkan Peninsula has fragmented into six subpopulations separated by more than 80 km. Population declines may be driven by factors such as poisoning, electrocution, direct persecution and changes in food availability which operate at large spatial scales and affect birds both on breeding grounds as well as during migration and wintering. Because the relative importance of threats to the survival of Egyptian Vultures are poorly understood, there is a critical need for research into causes of mortality and potential conservation actions that may halt and reverse population declines.
The Endangered Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus congregates in communal roosts in the winte... more The Endangered Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus congregates in communal roosts in the wintering areas and where food availability is high, where even a single threat might lead to substantial population declines. Thus, more research on the congregation sites is needed for timely detection of threats and effectively directed conservation measures. We studied bird numbers, use of roosting substrates and roosting habitat of wintering Egyptian Vultures in Ethiopia. Vultures were counted using the road-count technique in 2009, 2010 and 2013 along c. 600 km of roads in the Afar region. Over 1 000 individuals were counted each year and the sites with the highest congregations were identified. Nearly half of the birds were adults and the majority roosted on bird-safe types of electric pylons. Most of the Egyptian Vultures were found below 500 m above sea level, in bare areas, open savannas or grasslands, and their abundance was negatively related to the amount of cover of bush vegetation. The distribution of roosting birds was not affected by distance to human settlements. To avoid disasterous effects on the population of the Egyptian Vultures, we strongly recommend that the sites sheltering the highest numbers of roosting birds should be included in the Important Bird Area network, the use of poisons should be banned, and dangerous power lines should be insulated or substituted with safer types.
70-79 pairs. Decreasing considerably in range and numbers. Broken patchy distribution, concentrat... more 70-79 pairs. Decreasing considerably in range and numbers. Broken patchy distribution, concentrated in Eastern Rhodopi, Eastern Balkan, Provadiysko-Royaksko Plato, Lomovete, northern part of the Iskar Valley and some valleys in Dorudzha. Single nesting localities at Western Balkan and Fore Balkan.
The Egyptian Vulture has been classified as ‘Endangered’ due to a rapid population decline in
Ind... more The Egyptian Vulture has been classified as ‘Endangered’ due to a rapid population decline in India and long term declines in Europe and Africa. Although the species has been reported to be declining in Eastern Europe, no quantitative assessment of the magnitude or the causes for population declines are available. We used monitoring data from the Balkan Peninsula to estimate changes in population size and extent of occurrence of Egyptian Vultures between 1980 and 2013. We quantified population trends in three countries (Bulgaria, Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic [FYR] of Macedonia) to assess whether population declines are similar within the Balkan range states. We found a rapid and consistent decline of the Egyptian Vulture population that was largely similar among the three countries ( = 0.940 in FYR of Macedonia, 0.951 in Bulgaria, 0.920 in Greece). As a consequence of population declines, the breeding range of Egyptian Vultures has contracted and the population in the Balkan Peninsula has fragmented into six subpopulations separated by more than 80 km. Population declines may be driven by factors such as poisoning, electrocution, direct persecution and changes in food availability which operate at large spatial scales and affect birds both on breeding grounds as well as during migration and wintering. Because the relative importance of threats to the survival of Egyptian Vultures are poorly understood, there is a critical need for research into causes of mortality and potential conservation actions that may halt and reverse population declines.
The Egyptian Vulture has been classified as ‘Endangered’ due to a rapid population decline in Ind... more The Egyptian Vulture has been classified as ‘Endangered’ due to a rapid population decline in India and long term declines in Europe and Africa. Although the species has been reported to be declining in Eastern Europe, no quantitative assessment of the magnitude or the causes for population declines are available. We used monitoring data from the Balkan Peninsula to estimate changes in population size and extent of occurrence of Egyptian Vultures between 1980 and 2013. We quantified population trends in three countries (Bulgaria, Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic [FYR] of Macedonia) to assess whether population declines are similar within the Balkan range states. We found a rapid and consistent decline of the Egyptian Vulture population that was largely similar among the three countries (λ = 0.940 in FYR of Macedonia, 0.951 in Bulgaria, 0.920 in Greece). As a consequence of population declines, the breeding range of Egyptian Vultures has contracted and the population in the Balkan Peninsula has fragmented into six subpopulations separated by more than 80 km. Population declines may be driven by factors such as poisoning, electrocution, direct persecution and changes in food availability which operate at large spatial scales and affect birds both on breeding grounds as well as during migration and wintering. Because the relative importance of threats to the survival of Egyptian Vultures are poorly understood, there is a critical need for research into causes of mortality and potential conservation actions that may halt and reverse population declines.
The Endangered Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus congregates in communal roosts in the winte... more The Endangered Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus congregates in communal roosts in the wintering areas and where food availability is high, where even a single threat might lead to substantial population declines. Thus, more research on the congregation sites is needed for timely detection of threats and effectively directed conservation measures. We studied bird numbers, use of roosting substrates and roosting habitat of wintering Egyptian Vultures in Ethiopia. Vultures were counted using the road-count technique in 2009, 2010 and 2013 along c. 600 km of roads in the Afar region. Over 1 000 individuals were counted each year and the sites with the highest congregations were identified. Nearly half of the birds were adults and the majority roosted on bird-safe types of electric pylons. Most of the Egyptian Vultures were found below 500 m above sea level, in bare areas, open savannas or grasslands, and their abundance was negatively related to the amount of cover of bush vegetation. The distribution of roosting birds was not affected by distance to human settlements. To avoid disasterous effects on the population of the Egyptian Vultures, we strongly recommend that the sites sheltering the highest numbers of roosting birds should be included in the Important Bird Area network, the use of poisons should be banned, and dangerous power lines should be insulated or substituted with safer types.
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Papers by Volen Arkumarev
India and long term declines in Europe and Africa. Although the species has been reported to
be declining in Eastern Europe, no quantitative assessment of the magnitude or the causes for
population declines are available. We used monitoring data from the Balkan Peninsula to
estimate changes in population size and extent of occurrence of Egyptian Vultures between
1980 and 2013. We quantified population trends in three countries (Bulgaria, Greece and the
former Yugoslav Republic [FYR] of Macedonia) to assess whether population declines are
similar within the Balkan range states. We found a rapid and consistent decline of the Egyptian
Vulture population that was largely similar among the three countries ( = 0.940 in FYR
of Macedonia, 0.951 in Bulgaria, 0.920 in Greece). As a consequence of population declines,
the breeding range of Egyptian Vultures has contracted and the population in the Balkan
Peninsula has fragmented into six subpopulations separated by more than 80 km. Population
declines may be driven by factors such as poisoning, electrocution, direct persecution and
changes in food availability which operate at large spatial scales and affect birds both on
breeding grounds as well as during migration and wintering. Because the relative importance
of threats to the survival of Egyptian Vultures are poorly understood, there is a critical need
for research into causes of mortality and potential conservation actions that may halt and
reverse population declines.
India and long term declines in Europe and Africa. Although the species has been reported to
be declining in Eastern Europe, no quantitative assessment of the magnitude or the causes for
population declines are available. We used monitoring data from the Balkan Peninsula to
estimate changes in population size and extent of occurrence of Egyptian Vultures between
1980 and 2013. We quantified population trends in three countries (Bulgaria, Greece and the
former Yugoslav Republic [FYR] of Macedonia) to assess whether population declines are
similar within the Balkan range states. We found a rapid and consistent decline of the Egyptian
Vulture population that was largely similar among the three countries ( = 0.940 in FYR
of Macedonia, 0.951 in Bulgaria, 0.920 in Greece). As a consequence of population declines,
the breeding range of Egyptian Vultures has contracted and the population in the Balkan
Peninsula has fragmented into six subpopulations separated by more than 80 km. Population
declines may be driven by factors such as poisoning, electrocution, direct persecution and
changes in food availability which operate at large spatial scales and affect birds both on
breeding grounds as well as during migration and wintering. Because the relative importance
of threats to the survival of Egyptian Vultures are poorly understood, there is a critical need
for research into causes of mortality and potential conservation actions that may halt and
reverse population declines.