Gyps fulvus

The Griffon Vulture is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) because of the sharp decline in its population size and range. The rate of decline in breeding range is estimated at more than 80% over three generations (53.4 years) and the rate of decline in the number of individuals is estimated at more than 25% over one generation (17.8 years). In the previous edition of the Red Book (2002), the Griffon Vulture was classified as Vulnerable (VU). The change in its status reflects the deterioration in the population that decreased from about 120 breeding pairs in the early 2000s to about 40 pairs today.

Habitats	Desert Cliffs, Mediterranean Cliffs
Presence In Israel	Resident
Breeding In Israel	Breeder
Migration Types	Resident
Zoographical Zones	Mediterranean, Saharo-Arabian
Landscape Types	Cliffs
Vegetation Densities	Low
Nest Locations	Cliffs
Diet Types	Carrion
Foraging Grounds	Ground
Body Sizes	Large (over 1000g)
Threat Factors	Electrocution and collision with transmission wires, Human Settlements in Gorges, Hikers and rock climbers, Pesticide Poisoning, Lead Poisoning, Helicopter and aircraft activity in breeding areas, Food Scarcity, Hunting and trapping

The Griffon Vulture is a rare resident in Israel that nests in colonies in the Golan Heights, Mt. Carmel, the Judean Desert and the Negev Highlands. It was a common breeding species until the 1950s and nested in all the mountainous and cliff areas in Israel, from the Mt. Hermon slopes to the Eilat Mountains. In the 1980s, it nested in all the areas it occupies today, as well as in the Eastern Galilee, Eastern Samaria and the northern Judean Desert.

Diverse mountainous and transected landscapes in all climate conditions. Nests on cliffs.

Extensive efforts are invested in conserving the Griffon Vulture population in Israel as part of the “Spreading Wings over Israeli Raptors”, a joint project of the Israel Electric Corporation, the INPA and the SPNI:
Continuous research and monitoring of the breeding population.
Feeding stations to ensure a regular, safe (pesticide-free) source of food.
Sanitation and removal from grazing areas of carcasses that could contain pesticides.
Power line insulation to prevent electrocution.
Captive breeding nucleus and releasing young birds into nature

The Griffon Vulture was once a common resident breeder in most parts of Israel. A gradual decrease in population size and range has been recorded since the early 1950s, due to a number of factors, including unregulated use of agricultural pesticides, changes in sanitation measures and veterinary care of livestock, electrocution on power lines, disturbances at the nest, etc. The Griffon Vulture population in Israel is critically endangered and survives only through intensive conservation efforts.

In order to maintain a sustainable Griffon Vulture population, it is necessary to reduce the number of birds decimated each year by pesticides, lead poisoning, electrocution and collisions with power lines and infrastructure. Until these factors are dealt with (by legislation, enforcement and cooperation with the Israel Electric Corporation and other stakeholders), it is necessary to continue with the above-mentioned conservation efforts.

• הצופה, א., צוער, א., דולב, ע. וסבח, ע. 2017. מצב הנשרים חורף 2017 : ספירה וקינון. דו"ח רשות הטבע והגנים.
• הרלינג, א. 2001. סיכום סקר קינון דורסי יום בשמורת עין גדי. דו"ח רשות הטבע והגנים.
• מירוז, א. והצופה, א. 2014. סיכום סקר קינון עופות דורסים במדבר יהודה. דו"ח רשות הטבע והגנים.
• פז, ע. 1986. עופות. מתוך אלון, ע. (עורך), החי והצומח של ארץ ישראל. כרך 6. הוצאת משרד הביטחון, ישראל.
• פרידמן, ג. 2010. סיכום סקר דורסי יום במחוז צפון. דו"ח עבור רשות הטבע והגנים והחברה להגנת הטבע.

• Mendelssohn, H. 1972. The impact of pesticides on bird life in Israel. ICBP 11:75-104.
• Shirihai, H., 1996. The Birds of Israel. Academic Press, London.
• Symes, A. 2013. Species generation lengths. Unpublished, BirdLife International.
• Species page at Birdlife International