HIGH SURVIVAL ESTIMATES OF GRIFFON-VULTURES (GYPS-FULVUS-FULVUS) IN AREINTRODUCED POPULATION

Little is known of the life history of vultures. The reintroduction pr ogram of Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus fulvus) in the Causses (south o f the Massif Central, France) and extensive monitoring by capture-mark -resighting of the released birds allowed us to obtain the first estim ates of their survival. Adult survival rates are high ((x) over bar = 0.987 +/- SE of 0.006). A release effect on adult survival was detecte d (only 0.743 +/- 0.006 survival during the first year after release). Young born in the wild (less than three years old) had an annual surv ival rate of 0.858 +/- 0.039. Mortality causes and erratic behavior of immature birds are considered in order to assess the effectiveness of this reintroduction program. Our results indicate that reintroduction s of vultures and similar species should use adults that have bred in captivity within the target area rather than juveniles or immatures.