This trip includes driving through the Causse Méjean with a possibility of seeing the Prewalski’s horses (see here).
The Maison des Vautours is located in the Gorges de la Jonte, the southern border of the Causse Mejean. This excellent museum and visitor centre highlights the plight of vultures, which disappeared entirely from the region in the 1940’s.
Entrance of the Maison des Vautours
Starting in the 1980’s reintroduction schemes piloted in the Gorges de la Jonte have seen the successful establishment of Griffon Vultures, Cinereous Vultures, and now Bearded Vultures. Egyptian Vultures returned to the region independently, likely due to local enhancement following the increasing populations of Griffon Vultures. All four of these species can now be seen flying free in the Gorges de la Jonte, with Griffon Vultures numbering approximately 200 individuals.
Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus)
Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)
Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus)
Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus)
The Maison des Vautours showcases the ecology of these specialist birds, their persecution and other factors leading to their extinction. It then has displays explaining their importance to ecosystem functioning and the work that has led to their successful reintroduction.
For ecologists, vultures present an interesting case study in niche separation due to how these four species are able to coexist by each gaining nutrition from different parts of animal carcasses: the muscles and organs, the skin and sinews, and finally the bones themselves.
Their importance as nutrient recyclers is gaining momentum and the information here will be of much interest to conservationists interested in rewilding. Information highlighting how knowledge of animal behaviour can lead to successful conservation also forms an interesting case study.
The exterior observation terraces provide excellent views of the Gorges de la Jonte, including the cliffs where Griffon and Egyptian Vultures nest, and down into the wooded valley where Cinereous Vultures build their nests in tall trees.
Terrace with scopes to observe the nesting vultures