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Prioritizing renewable energy generation over the conservation of natural habitats and species on a large spatial scale, leads to the paradox of impacting biodiversity to mitigate climate change. In this study, we aim at quantifying the long-term demographic impact of the excess mortality caused by collisions with wind turbines on the populations of two vulture species of conservation concern. Using long-term monitoring data and Integrated Population Models (IPMs), we quantified demographic parameters and projected population trends under various wind power development scenarios. Our findings indicate that even under our most optimistic scenarios, annual collision mortality could reach up to 30 % of the current Cinereous vulture population and 7 % of the Griffon vulture population. Without further wind power expansion, both vulture populations are predicted to remain stable or increase over the next 20 years. However, the addition of 85 wind turbines is likely to drive the Cinereous vulture to local extinction within 18 years and significantly slow the growth of the Griffon vulture population. Scenarios involving larger numbers of turbines could result in the extinction of both species within two to five years for Cinereous vultures and up to 20 years for Griffon vultures, depending on space use intensity. Our results underscore the vulnerability of long-lived species to excess mortality and highlight the need for comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) that incorporate population dynamics analyses. Effective conservation strategies must include rigorous pre- and post-construction monitoring, the availability of monitoring data, and cumulative impact assessments that consider the entire foraging range of these species. Additionally, strategic planning to avoid critical vulture habitats and implementing mitigation measures in buffer zones are essential. This study emphasizes the necessity of integrating biodiversity considerations into renewable energy planning to balance the goals of energy production and wildlife conservation. • An Integrated Population Model (IPM) framework was used to assess impact of wind energy on vulture populations. • Predicted collision mortality rates could drive endangered Cinereous Vulture to extinction within 18 years. • Griffon Vulture populations face severe decline even under optimistic wind power scenarios • Comprehensive evaluation provides insights for renewable energy planning and environmental policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) is the largest vulture species in Europe. It is currently extinct in Bulgaria, but individuals from the only Balkan population of the species located in northern Greece frequently forage in the Bulgarian side of the Eastern Rhodope Mountains. We studied the patterns of occurrences, numbers and age structure of Cinereous Vultures in the Eastern Rhodopes, Bulgaria. During 2016 - 2019 we recorded 215 Cinereous Vulture occurrences. The majority of the observed individuals (72.7%) were immature while adults totaled 23.7%. The highest number of vultures were recorded in spring and summer. Cinereous Vultures visited local supplementary feeding stations singularly or in groups of up to eight individuals. Our study shows that Eastern Rhodopes and specifically SPAs 'Studen kladenets', 'Byala reka' and 'Krumovitsa' are important foraging areas and hence high priority conservation areas for the species in Bulgaria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on using detection dogs as an effective tool in the fight against and control of poison baits, a leading cause of non-natural mortality for threatened scavenger species, particularly the Egyptian vulture, in the Balkans.

Analyzing the habitat requirements of raptors is of crucial importance for wildlife conservation, since their role as bioindicators serves to assess the impact of different factors - anthropogenic, biotic and abiotic, as well as the "stress level" on the entire ecosystem. The Lesser Spotted Eagle is a strongly philopatric and territorial forest-dwelling raptor that tends to prefer foraging in different types of grasslands and avoid arable land. With regard to the micro-habitat selection, the eagle's selectivity was strongly related to the topography and the proximity to open areas and water bodies, avoiding small forest patches. In the nesting stands the eagle definitely selected older and taller trees. The territory selection was related to the preferences for natural grasslands, agricultural mosaic and shrubs as well as the avoidance of large forests and arable land. The mean size of the fragments influenced significantly the selection of a home range by this raptor species, with a strong preference for large patches of grassland biotopes and shrubs, and strict avoidance of large forest tracts. The strongest habitat preferences were related to the habitat heterogeneity, so we observed that the species clearly selected territories of high habitat diversity. We found out that the habitat structure did not affect significantly the eagle's density. Although the habitats of the species vary across its distribution area, in general the species follows the same habitat selection patterns throughout its European range. We would like to emphasize that the conservation of the habitats of this raptor should include not only conservation of nest sites, but also conservation of favourable foraging sites. Inappropriate practices in forest and agriculture management can adversely affect the species' population both at a micro-habitat scale and as macro-habitat features by decreasing the quality of habitats. The significance of old growth trees, structurally diverse stands, share and condition of grasslands as well as landscape diversity must be taken into account in the management and the decision making related to the protection of the Lesser Spotted Eagle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective nature conservation in human-dominated landscapes requires a deep understanding of human behaviors, perceptions and values. Human-wildlife conflicts represent relatively well-studied, global-scale conservation challenges. In Africa, vulture populations are collapsing as they fall victim to poison used by livestock farmers to kill predators, but our understanding of the prevalence of this practice is still very poor. We gathered data on the prevalence of poison use in Namibia by means of questionnaires completed by commercial farmers. The data were collected and analyzed with ad-hoc quantitative methods. We quantified prevalence of poison use, determined factors associated with this practice and derived a map of its prevalence. We found that 20% of commercial farmers in Namibia used poison; farmers that owned high numbers of small stock and on large farms, and those who had suffered high livestock losses to predators, were most likely to admit to using poison. We pinpoint areas of high prevalence of reported poison use, which are largely concentrated in the south of the country. Furthermore, we report a generally positive perception of commercial farmers towards vultures, which may indicate future potential to implement bottom-up approaches for vulture conservation. Overall, the findings have important implications for prioritizing efforts to effectively tackle the African vulture crisis and preserve healthy ecosystems for the wellbeing of humans and wildlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the use of detection dogs in combating wildlife poisoning in the Balkans, detailing the establishment of anti-poison dog units, their patrols, and their impact on detecting poisoned animals and baits.