The shadow of diclofenac hangs over European vultures

Abstract

Of the sixteen Old World vultures, 81% are globally threatened or near-threatened; four vulture species inhabit Europe, of which three are threatened or near-threatened. Since 1993, the EU and various national governments have invested significant financial resources in the conservation of vultures — including at least 76 LIFE projects related to these species — and between 1993 and 2014 spent €121.9 million, of which €59.7 million came from European funds. During this period, Spain, home to 90% of all European vultures, invested €72.8 million (€30.8 million received from EU) on 38 projects related to vulture conservation.