The vultures of Spain skirt around the Portuguese border with uncanny accuracy (twitter.com)

Article summary

Vultures in Spain tend to avoid flying into Portugal, despite being able to fly long distances, due to differences in laws regarding the disposal of dead cattle. In Spain, farmers are allowed to leave dead cattle in the open, providing a food source for vultures, while in Portugal, they must bury or burn the carcasses. This difference in laws creates an invisible ecological barrier that affects the vultures' behavior. The phenomenon was observed in a study that tracked the movement of tagged vultures.

Main themes

• vulture behavior
• ecological barriers
• law and policy
• animal migration
• human impact on environment
• scientific research and methodology

What commenters say

• The title of the article is misleading and does not accurately reflect the content.
• The behavior of the vultures is not due to their ability to recognize borders, but rather the lack of food sources in Portugal.
• Other animals, such as elk, also exhibit behaviors that suggest they can recognize and avoid areas with human activity, such as hunting.
• The difference in laws between Spain and Portugal is a result of historical events, including the response to the mad-cow disease crisis.
• The use of click-bait titles and summaries can be frustrating and may lead to misunderstandings.
• Some commenters argue that the article's findings are not surprising and that the behavior of the vultures can be explained by simple factors, such as the availability of food.
• Others suggest that the behavior of the vultures may be more complex and influenced by a variety of factors, including human activity and environmental conditions.