Birds of prey are returning to the Swiss skies in droves, Le Matin Dimanche reported on Sunday. The development has delighted bird experts.
This content was published on
1 minute
Keystone-SDAZ/Le Matin Dimanche/ilj
Environmental NGO WWF describes the return of the bearded vulture to Switzerland as an “unqualified success”. It has included the raptor among its winners in its 2022 list of animal winnersExternal link and losers.
“The year 2022 was favourable for the bearded vulture in the Alpine region and particularly in Switzerland, where 21 young birds fledged, compared to 49 in the Alps in general. Since 2007, their population has been increasing very rapidly; it is currently made up of around 250 individuals in Switzerland,” WWF Switzerland’s Cédric Jacot-Guillarmod said.
The Swiss Ornithological Institute in Sempach has also observed the trend. “Almost all species of diurnal [day] and nocturnal birds of prey have recovered relatively high numbers, and sometimes even record numbers, as in the case of the red kite,” spokesperson Chloé Pang told Le Matin Dimanche.External link
These results show that conservation efforts are having results, added Pang.
Key has been a general raising of awareness among the population. But not using dangerous pesticides has also been important, experts said. This includes DDT, “a pesticide that has damaged their eggs and poisoned their food”, said biologist Lionel Maumary.
Global warming is also playing a role in the rising number of birds of prey in the Alpine nation, he continued.
Popular Stories
More
Culture
Documentary portrays Swiss teenagers forced to return to parents’ homeland
Swiss Jew wrongfully detained due to prosecutor’s ‘bias’
This content was published on
A Jewish Swiss man was detained after the prosecutor argued he might flee to Israel. The Federal Court said this implies bias due to his Jewish faith.
US reportedly scrutinises Russian accounts UBS took over from Credit Suisse
This content was published on
The US is investigating Russian clients acquired by UBS during its takeover of Credit Suisse, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
WTO plans to reappoint Okonjo-Iweala before Trump swears in
This content was published on
Some member states of the World Trade Organization may seek to reappoint Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, according to a document released on Tuesday.
Swiss village gets half a million amid rockfall threat as some residents resist evacuation
This content was published on
The Swiss village of Brienz has been granted CHF500,000 due to a rockfall threat. But some residents are questioning the authorities’ evacuation orders.
This content was published on
Starting Wednesday, Swiss researchers will have access to the European Research Council’s Proof of Concept Grants, said the European Commission.
Switzerland fined for denying asylum for gay Iranian
This content was published on
Switzerland violated the prohibition on inhuman treatment by considering that a gay Iranian could be returned to his country.
Gestational diabetes found to increase risk of adult-onset diabetes
This content was published on
A research team from the Lake Geneva region has identified persistent dysfunctions in glucose regulation in women with gestational diabetes. In the long term, this can increase the risk of adult-onset diabetes by up to ten times.
Swiss village must be evacuated by midday on Sunday
This content was published on
The village of Brienz-Brinzauls in eastern Switzerland, which is threatened by a rockfall, must be evacuated by 1pm on Sunday. All residents must leave the village.
This content was published on
A former judge of the Graubünden Administrative Court in eastern Switzerland has been found guilty of rape, sexual harassment and threatening a former trainee.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss bird diversity particularly at risk
This content was published on
While the number of birds is declining worldwide, the situation for endangered species in Switzerland is even more striking, a report finds.
Marsh warbler named Switzerland’s bird of the year 2023
This content was published on
The little perching bird was chosen by BirdLife Switzerland as this year’s champion for its virtuosic singing and peerless imitations.
This content was published on
It’s 30 years since bearded vultures were first reintroduced into the central Swiss Alps - now there are more than 50. But how well are they doing?
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.