Several species of vultures can be spotted in the skies above the Gorges de la Jonte, as well as other birds of prey such as harriers and golden eagles.
Reintroduction of vultures in the Gorges de la Jonte
In Saint-Pierre-des-Tripiers, in the heart of the Gorges de la Jonte, 250 vultures have established an astonishing colony, the result of a long-term reintroduction programme orchestrated by the Cévennes National Park. Indeed, these scavengers, which had been present in this area for around 70,000 years, disappeared in the 1940s but were reintroduced thirty years later. The species now found in the area are the griffon vulture, the black vulture, the Egyptian vulture and the bearded vulture.
Since June 2012, a project to reintroduce the bearded vulture has been underway in the Grands Causses. The aim is to release young birds each year so that they form a core population in the Massif Central and, through their movements, establish links between the Alpine and Pyrenean populations. This exceptional project is led by the Grands Causses branch of the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO), in partnership with the Cévennes National Park and the Grands Causses Regional Nature Park. Since then, dozens of bearded vultures have been released.
The House of Vultures
If you want to spot griffon vultures, black vultures, Egyptian vultures or bearded vultures, the Maison des Vautours – a building nestled in the gorge – is the ideal spot. Equipped with telescopes, this building is situated beneath the air currents that the vultures use to glide. You’re therefore very likely to spot them!
Thematics
