Where do <i>Gyps fulvus</i> (Griffon Vulture) feed? Combining biologging with socioeconomic analysis can guide sustainable ecotourism development

ABSTRACT Ecotourism supports Old World vulture conservation and raises public awareness of their ecological role. Traditional vulture-watching activities are often based at hides near supplementary feeding stations, where vultures predictably gather. However, identifying optimal locations for sustainable vulture-watching ecotourism beyond these sites is challenging considering that vultures travel extensive distances to locate carrion. We analyzed movement data from 6 Gyps fulvus (Griffon Vulture) in northwest Sardinia, Italy, to identify areas where they usually feed and where economically viable birdwatching activities could be implemented. Gyps fulvus were equipped with GPS tags and triaxial accelerometer sensors. Using a random forest algorithm, we identified feeding events from the acceleration data and fitted a Poisson process model to predict feeding event density across the study area. Additionally, we conducted structured questionnaires with 116 visitors to the protected area (August 2022 to October 2023) to assess their willingness to pay for vulture-watching activities. From 2020 to 2024, we recorded 1,563 feeding events, primarily in areas with scarce forest cover and low slope, and adjacent to the main colony. Most respondents expressed interest in visiting observation hides and guided tours, with an average willingness to pay of €13–€15. Based on these responses, we estimated potential revenues of €415.51, €41,551.27, and €415,512.72, assuming participation from 0.001%, 0.1%, and 1% of visitors from Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, respectively. Additional income from related tourism services could further increase these revenues. Our findings represent the first attempt to combine high-resolution biologging to map the foraging areas of an unpredictable yet ecologically significant wildlife species with data from structured consumer questionnaires. This approach allows for the assessment and potential implementation of an ecotourism model that does not depend on predictable supplementary feeding stations, offering ecological, behavioral, and sanitary advantages.