Another depressing story doing the rounds in the press.
'Eight Griffon Vultures from the nearly extinct population of just 20 vultures on the Israeli side of the Golan Heights were discovered dead as a result of poisoning. In addition to the eight killed, two more vultures were found poisoned but thankfully alive.
Nearly half the population wiped out
On the morning of Friday 10 May, eight Griffon Vultures were found dead in Golan Heights, together with some foxes and jackals. The authorities didn’t know who was behind the attack, and an investigation begins.
Two more vultures were found poisoned but alive. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) took them to local wildlife recovery centres, where they were treated and have since been nursed back to health.
"The killing of so many of the species was a "mortal blow" to Israel's Griffon Vulture population and was all the worse because it had happened during nesting season, meaning eggs now might not hatch and chicks might not survive.", INPA director Shaul Goldstein said.
Out of the 8 dead vultures, 2 are Spanish born that were acclimatized and released in Gamla nature reserve, Golan heights, 1 was captive born (2006) and released in Mt. Carmel in 2009, 3 were tagged wild born (rings and wing tags) and 2 untagged: 1 ad, 1 imm.
'Eight Griffon Vultures from the nearly extinct population of just 20 vultures on the Israeli side of the Golan Heights were discovered dead as a result of poisoning. In addition to the eight killed, two more vultures were found poisoned but thankfully alive.
Nearly half the population wiped out
On the morning of Friday 10 May, eight Griffon Vultures were found dead in Golan Heights, together with some foxes and jackals. The authorities didn’t know who was behind the attack, and an investigation begins.
Two more vultures were found poisoned but alive. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) took them to local wildlife recovery centres, where they were treated and have since been nursed back to health.
"The killing of so many of the species was a "mortal blow" to Israel's Griffon Vulture population and was all the worse because it had happened during nesting season, meaning eggs now might not hatch and chicks might not survive.", INPA director Shaul Goldstein said.
Out of the 8 dead vultures, 2 are Spanish born that were acclimatized and released in Gamla nature reserve, Golan heights, 1 was captive born (2006) and released in Mt. Carmel in 2009, 3 were tagged wild born (rings and wing tags) and 2 untagged: 1 ad, 1 imm.
