The LIFE Egyptian vulture project is being carried out in southern Italy (Apulia, Basilicata, Calabria and Sicily) and in the Canary Islands, Spain (the islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote).
In Italy, the following areas of the Natura 2000 network are involved:
Apulia: SCI/SPA Area delle Gravine
Basilicata: SAC/SPA Gravine di Matera, SPA Appennino Lucano
Calabria: SPA Pollino Orsomarso, SCI Vallone S. Elia
Sicily: SPA Parco delle Madonie, SAC/SPA Laghetti di Preola and Gorghi Tondi
These are areas where three to four pairs of Egyptian vultures are still nesting (SCI/SPA Gravine di Matera; SPA Appennino Lucano and SCI Vallone S. Elia) or which have recently hosted some, and where individuals are still being sighted (SCI/SPA Area delle Gravine; SPA Pollino Orsomarso; SPA Parco delle Madonie). The SAC/SPA Laghetti di Preola and Gorghi Tondi (in western Sicily), is a final strategic resting area (stopover) along the main migratory route to Africa.
In the Canary Islands, the project is being carried out on the island of Fuerteventura (where there are nine SPAs) and on the island of Lanzarote (which has seven SPAs). These are the most easterly islands in the Canarian archipelago, and the only two where the Egyptian vulture is currently nesting.
SIC= Site of Community Importance
ZSC= Special Area of Conservation
ZPS= Special Protection Area
