Hidden effects of high numbers of tourists in protected areas: displacement of foraging top scavengers

Protected areas in southern Europe are important for the conservation of large avian scavengers. However, the effects an increasing number of visitors may have on the scavengers' patterns of movement are unknown. Here, we took advantage of data collected from seven GPS-tagged adult Griffon Vultures Gyps fulvus breeding in the Bardenas Reales Natural Park in northern Spain to determine whether foraging birds moved to more remote areas on the days when the number of visitors increased. We found that although the number of visitors did appear to affect movement patterns, this had a smaller effect size compared with the mean temperature of the day. Additionally, males moved further than females. If the number of visitors to natural areas continues to increase, local exclusions of Griffon Vultures may become more common, so further research is needed to address the potential consequences for the scavenger population and ecosystem functions and services they provide.

Automated summary

Protected areas in southern Europe play a vital role in conserving large avian scavengers, but the impact of increasing visitor numbers on their movement patterns is still unclear. A study conducted in a natural park in northern Spain found that while the number of visitors did affect the foraging birds' movements, it had a smaller effect compared to the temperature of the day. Additionally, male vultures tended to move further than females.