As incredible as it may seem, a vulture threatened with extinction has been seen in the Tarn gorges (Occitanie). Its presence is extremely rare in Europe.
You may not know it, but on January 6, a Rüppella’s vulture was observed in the Tarn gorges (Aveyron). In any case, this is what the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO) says.
“It ‘s not a Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) but a Ruppël’s Vulture (Gyps rueppellii)! It has been observed since the beginning of the year in the Jonte gorges. An individual had already been observed in 2017 in the gorges , ”said LPO Occitanie – Lozère on its Facebook page.
Before adding: ” This bird is not normally present in France since it is an African species “.
As Clément Ganier, member of the association dedicated to the protection of nature, points out to France 3 Occitanie, the raptor has been ” seen only three times in 20 years ” in the department.
From then on, a question is on everyone’s lips: how did the bird end up in Aveyron? According to experts, the animal would have followed Spanish griffon vultures since some of them migrate to Africa.
” There may be an erraticism (without coherence) in certain individuals who will seek new colonies, new territories, suddenly they will have to move, it happens”, explains Clément Ganier to the information site.
Still according to him, the specimen would have deserted South Aveyron a month ago. He would have been seen in the Alpes-Maritimes.
This large species of vulture, which lives in the mountain and forest environments of sub-Saharan Africa, is today classified on the red list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), as an endangered species. extinction review.
Note that the Rüppella vulture population has fallen by 97% in less than 60 years, recalls France 3 Regions. It is threatened by the loss of its natural habitat and climate change.
