Only one of the two bearded vultures released into the wild in Obwalden has survived
Keystone-SDA
Only one of two bearded vultures released into the wild in the Swiss canton of Obwalden on May 25 has survived. The other raptor died just a week after being released.
The Pro Bartgeier Foundation announced on Thursday that the bearded vulture, named Joschi, had been suffering from health problems. This was revealed by examinations of the carcass carried out at the University of Bern’s veterinary hospital. As a result, the weakened young male was unable to defend himself adequately against an attack by a fox.
However, the Pro Bartgeier Foundation had good news regarding the second young bird released into the wild at Melchsee-Frutt, named Wildi. The foundation reported that the young male had developed well and had flown for the first time at the age of 110 days. He had sought out roosting places outside the release enclosure from an early stage and was also finding food independently.
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Wildi hatched on February 19 at the Haringsee Owl and Bird of Prey Centre in Austria. Joschi was a few days younger and came from a Spanish wildlife centre.
The Pro Bartgeier Foundation releases young bearded vultures into the wild to increase the genetic diversity of the Alpine bearded vulture population. When they are released, the birds are not yet fully fledged. They learn to fly independently, without their parents.
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Translated from German, reviewed by an English Department journalist.
