When hunting benefits raptors: a case study of game species and vultures

Abstract

Management of hunting activity to serve as a tool for sustainable development has become a key issue in conservation biology. However, little evidence is available showing positive impacts of hunting on ecosystem conservation, limiting its capability to be used as a conservation tool. We analysed hunting and its positive influence on the ecology and conservation of the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), a scavenger with a relevant function in the ecosystem, in the Cantabrian Mountains, NW Spain. Use of the area by vultures was addressed by looking for cliffs used as roosts or colonies, and consumption of game species by vultures was evaluated through field surveys and questionnaires to hunters. Results revealed a strong spatiotemporal adjustment in the use of the area by vultures and hunting events, especially of red deer and wild boar. Vultures occupied roosting sites very close to the main hunting sectors of these game species and often were seen consuming their carcasses. The spatiotemporal pattern of roost use by vultures strongly overlapped with hunting of red deer. The numbers of both red deer and wild boar hunting episodes within 3.5 km around the roosts were the best predictors of vulture occurrence and number. Our estimates show that hunting could feed around 1,800 vultures/6 months. Hunting can thus influence species at the top of the ecosystem (scavengers) and could aid sustainable management of griffon vulture populations, reconciling hunting and conservation. However, negative and positive impacts should be taken into account simultaneously for an overall evaluation of hunting on ecosystem conservation.

From regional to global patterns in vertebrate scavenger communities subsidized by big game hunting

“…Although further evidence is lacking on how hunting subsidies affect species' demographic parameters (but see White, ), food availability is expected to improve individual fitness (e.g. breeding performance, survival), potentially affecting population dynamics (Wilmers et al ., ; Mateo‐Tomás & Olea, ; Newsome et al ., ). However, consumption of hunting remains can also limit individual fitness.…”

“…). The abundance and distribution of both groups show a strong spatio‐temporal adjustment to big game hunting (White, ; Mateo‐Tomás & Olea, ). Abundant generalist species such as the red fox can also effectively track this pulsed resource (Oro et al ., ), becoming the dominant species at hunting remains (Fig.…”

“…females, juveniles) and handicapped animals to regulate ungulate populations (Torres‐Porras et al ., ). Hunting remains are thus likely exerting a noticeable impact on ecosystems (Wilmers et al ., ; Selva & Fortuna, ; Mateo‐Tomás & Olea, ; Oro et al ., ).…”

Supplementary feeding during the chick-rearing period is ineffective in increasing the breeding success in the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)

“…Finally, from a conservation point of view, taking into account the possible detrimental effects of artificial feeding (see review in Donázar et al 2009b), it may be more effective to invest in habitat management (i.e. increasing the carrion provided by extensive livestock or game species) and to provide natural food resources from extensive grazing or hunting practices to guarantee feeding resources and increase breeding success (see Donázar et al 2009b;Olea and Mateo-Tomás 2009;Mateo-Tomás and Olea 2009). This has been put forward as the most inexpensive and efficient management method for the conservation of scavengers without modifying habitat quality artificially (Donázar et al 2009c).…”

Disease-related conflicts in mammal conservation

“…between the livestock industry and conservationists (Taggart et al 2007;Lemus et al 2008). One almost natural source of carrion is hunter-harvested wild-ungulate carcasses or carcass remains Mateo-Tomás and Olea 2010). This is a significant source of food for carrion consumers in areas with abundant wild ungulates.…”