Morocco: Vultures return from Europe after a long migratory journey

According to the Moroccan Association for the Protection of Birds and Wildlife (Ampovis), these three raptors, including one African white-backed vulture (GA05) and two Rüppell’s vultures with identifiers (GR71) and (GR73), were equipped with GPS beacons during their capture and rehabilitation at the Jbel Moussa Center in northern Morocco, before their flight to the European shore of the Mediterranean.

The monitoring of these raptors is part of a scientific program on African vultures, jointly conducted by Ampovis and the National Agency of Water and Forests, in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature - Mediterranean Office (IUCN-Med), the Andalusia Council, the GREFA organization, and the Wildlife Lab.

The monitoring system has made it possible to geolocate certain vultures in the Iberian Peninsula. The Rüppell’s vulture identified as GR73 managed to reach southern France, becoming the first vulture of this type marked at the Jbel Moussa Center to reach such a northerly latitude.

More than 1,500 griffon vultures were observed in migration on November 8, 2025. Between November 6 and 10, some 6,343 vultures of the same species, as well as two European black vultures, were counted. Started on October 1, this campaign of counting and observing migratory vultures through the Strait of Gibraltar will continue until December 15.

"Researchers hope that these new data will help improve vulture conservation strategies in Africa. Their analysis could reveal key resting and feeding areas, which will then be shared with local and international organizations to strengthen cooperation in the preservation of vultures and other raptors," says a statement from Ampovis.