Michel Terrasse

Michel Terrasse says he is "simply obsessed with preserving animals in their natural habitat, and birds of prey above all".

The Egyptian vulture is the smallest species seen in Europe, with a wingspan of between 1.50 and 1.65m, and an average weight of 2kg.

The bearded vulture was massively persecuted in the 19th century. Today, only 160 couples survive in Europe.

Biologist and film-maker M. Terrasse has been working for over 35 years to return vultures to their natural habitat in the Cévennes, a project that won him a Rolex Award in 1984.

Griffon vultures released back in the wild by Michel Terrasse and his team since 1982 are now ensuring the survival of their species.

A sign at the entrance to the vultures' reintroduction zone, urges visitors not to frighten them.

Patrick Chiron, of the League for the Protection of Birds (LPO), collects dead animals from farmers of the region to supply vultures' open-air feeding sites.

A stone house typical of the Cévennes, where Michel Terrasse's project is based.

M. Terrasse hides from the clear-sighted vultures to film them at their open-air feeding site. The French biologist has 22 wildlife documentaries to his credit, mostly about birds.

Three cameras connected to the Vulture Centre and Lookout allow visitors to observe the birds on their feeding and nesting sites.

Vultures released back in the wild by M. Terrasse and his team since 1982 are now flying high over the Cévennes.

Michel Terrasse, a Laureate of the 1984 Rolex Awards.