Background The Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) is threatened over its entire range and is now considered “endangered” in the IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature - May 2007). In Europe, the population numbers have declined dramatically. The bird used to inhabit the entire range of the Pyrenees, the Mediterranean area and the Rhone Valley up to Switzerland and there were still between 160 and 185 breeding pairs in 1935. However, the European population was reduced by more than half over just 40 years. The breeding distribution in France is now restricted to two core areas: The major one, in the French Pyrenees, is linked with the important Spanish population of Navarre and Aragon and has a relatively stable population of 50-60 pairs The second one, in the Mediterranean region from the Herault to Alpes de Haute Provence departments has seen numbers decline by over 50% until there were only 12 breeding pairs left at the start of the project.The project targeted the more vulnerable Mediterranean population, which was at risk of disappearing. It involved 5 departments and 3 different administrative regions: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (PACA); Rhône-Alpes; and Languedoc-Roussillon. It covered an area of six sites, which included 8 of the breeding pairs in this region. Objectives The core objective of this LIFE Nature project was to stop local population decreases of Egyptian vulture and thus secure the long-term survival of the bird in the Mediterranean region of France. It aimed to increase knowledge of the population dynamics and to facilitate the return of the species. Its strategy was to initiate a spontaneous return of vultures to the project sites by preserving and restoring habitats and breeding sites, including abandoned ones. It planned to install at least 40 feeding stations and carry out supplementary feeding to encourage breeding success, attract newcomers and improve the physical well-being of the birds. The project foresaw the monitoring nesting sites to avoid disturbance and improve breeding success and to identify new pairs. Increased awareness of mortality factors, including poison and electricity lines and disturbances to breeding, such as human leisure activities would enable mitigating actions to be performed. The project targeted an overall increase in the number of vultures and the installation of between 2 and 4 new pairs. Results This LIFE Nature project significantly contributed to knowledge of the Egyptian vulture, to the immediate conservation of its French population and to the definition of the strategy to be adopted to ensure the long-term viability and survival of the species. Despite delays caused by European legal discussions around the use of material for the feeding of scavenging birds, 42 feeding stations were eventually built during the project and more than 143 000 kg of meat supplied. This feeding strategy was based on a supply of meat from intensive farming and the meat industry. It was built on good co-operation between the relevant stakeholders, particularly farmers, cattle breeders, landowners, villages and local authorities. Monitoring activities were carried out, involving 120 workers in the field and totalling 11 300 hours of monitoring work. More than 4 800 separate observations of the species were made. As well as direct observation, cameras were installed to monitor 23 of the feeding stations where visits by vultures were less predictable. Nearly 5 500 pictures of the birds were taken within the stations. Threat-identification studies were completed, including risk factors such as poisoning. These led to dialogue and consensual agreements with users about limiting the impact of certain human leisure activities. Electric cables and pylons were assessed for risk and some modifications carried out with electricity companies. In total, 18 current or potential breeding sites were protected. Overall, the project had a noticeable impact on the Egyptian vulture population in the target area. The number of pairs in the area covered by the project doubled from 8 to 16 from 2002 to 2007. The bird returned to the Ardeche region after 10 years of absence. The project points to the potential success of more widespread efforts to protect the species population. Already the network of feeding stations has been extended in the South-East of France beyond the LIFE project’s perimeter. The project promoted the designation and extension of five Special Protection Areas in the departments of Ardeche, Bouche du Rhone Aude and Gard, covering important breeding areas for the Egyptian vulture. The networks created during the project will continue to promote future conservation actions, notably in the context of a second National Restoration Plan for the species. This project should also feed into the implementation of an international action plan for the bird. To foster awareness of the species and its protection needs, the project produced educational kits including a film, slideshow, poster, photo exhibition, educational notebook, real-size models of the birds and a game. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).