Griffons return to Madonie mountains after 70 years
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
After a 70-year absence, griffons, large scavenging birds, have returned to nest and fly in the Madonie Mountains of Italy.
The Madonie UNESCO Global Geopark confirmed that two pairs of griffons successfully raised their young, with the birds recently completing their first flights. This success validates a reintroduction project that began by bringing 35 young griffons from Spain to the area.
The project involved collaboration between the Madonie Park Authority, the Sicilian Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute, the Nebrodi Park Authority, the municipality of Isnello, the Rotary Club, and the Regional Department of Territory and Environment. The Fondazione Internazionale Biodiversità del Mediterraneo and the Spanish association GREFA also supported the arrival of the initial griffons. Since the initial reintroduction, the original group has attracted other griffons from Sicily and other regions of Italy.
Today, at least 80 griffons are estimated to fly in the Madonie skies. These birds play an important ecological role by scavenging animal carcasses, which helps prevent the spread of disease. Although griffons are classified as a species of “Least Concern” globally, they are on the Italian Red List of vertebrates, but their numbers are improving.
