As part of the cohabitation between griffon vultures and breeders in Aveyron, experimental scaring measures were decided in order to respond to the growing concerns of breeders regarding the interactions observed.
Since 2020, more than 170 reports between griffon vultures and cattle have been recorded, particularly in the Lévezou and Aubrac sectors, raising strong questions among livestock professionals, unfamiliar with the presence of vultures.
In 2020, a departmental “griffon vultures and breeding” committee was created to bring together all stakeholders and facilitate dialogue. From 2021, the State has put in place several support systems for the breeders concerned (7-day-a-week assistance number, veterinary expertise, mediator).
Given the persistence of these situations and in order to prevent interactions around livestock buildings and in pastures where cattle are present, scaring measures will be put in place as an exception. These measures, which received a favorable opinion from the Regional Scientific Council for Natural Heritage (CSRPN) of Occitanie, aim to keep griffon vultures away by firing non-lethal munitions (“blank bullets”) aimed at causing them to take flight without harm their state of conservation.
These actions, strictly supervised, will take place only in areas where an unusual and significant presence of griffon vultures is noted. Any intervention must be authorized by the prefect and his services, and only people who have followed specific training delivered by the French Biodiversity Office (OFB) and the Departmental Territorial Directorate (DDT) will be authorized to carry out these shootings. 'scaring.
These measures aim to protect the activity of breeders while ensuring the preservation of this protected species.
Press release from the Prefecture of Aveyron
