TABUK — Two Eurasian Griffon vultures rehabilitated and released from Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve have established new home ranges in Armenia and Iraq after journeys spanning eight countries across the Middle East.Tracking data released by the reserve to mark International Vulture Awareness Day shows that the two birds, known as Vultures 536 and 535, have remained within 100 kilometers of their respective home ranges after years of movement across the region.Vulture 536 has settled in Armenia, while Vulture 535 has made its home in Iraq.
Tagged Eurasian Griffon vulture in flight in Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve. (Supplied)
The birds were released from Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve in northwestern Saudi Arabia in April 2023. They subsequently spent around 17 months ranging across the region before settling into their current territories.Vulture 536 traveled through Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Türkiye, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Iran, while Vulture 535 crossed Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, Türkiye and Iran.Their combined movements were equivalent to circumnavigating the Earth six times, according to the reserve. Yet during the past two years, neither bird has ventured more than 100 kilometers from its chosen home range.Scientists at the reserve believe their flight patterns indicate that the vultures have become residents within wild Griffon vulture populations in Armenia and Iraq.The transition marks an important stage in the birds' lives. Eurasian Griffon vultures commonly shift from long-distance movement to localized, year-round residency as they mature and establish themselves within breeding colonies, with their movements influenced by food availability and environmental conditions.
