Etienne Marlé et la réintroduction du Gypaète barbu dans les Alpes

The Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) is a large bird of prey, which feeds mainly on bones taken from the carcasses of wild or domestic ungulates. With recent population estimates showing less than 120 couples, it is a very rare species in the EU. Over the period 1986-2002, a programme involving several European countries re-introduced 114 bearded vultures into the Alps region. Two Life projects have been launched to establish a self-sufficient population of bearded vulture in the Alps. They sought to increase numbers, support breeding and remove threats to the bird.
A.S.T.E.R.S. (Agir pour la Sauvegarde des Territoires et des Espèces remarquables ou sensibles) is an NGO active in the conservation of the bearded vulture. It is responsible for the management of the sole captive breeding centre for the bird in France – located in the Alps. We interviewed his manager, Etienne Marlé.