Last Cinereous Vultures reintroduced in Bulgaria

Since 2018 the aviary in the Vrachanski Nature Park in the western part of the Balkan Mountains, Bulgaria, has reintroduced about 70 young Cinereous vultures. The project, funded by the EU, was finished by releasing the last two female vultures back to nature. Although some of the reintroduced vultures were poisoned, the project has  been successful. Moreover, the reintroduced cinereous vultures have successfully reproduced in the last two years. 

            Cinereous vultures are one of the largest and rarest raptors in Europe. Vultures can reach up to 1.2 metres in body length, and the wingspan can be almost 3.1 m. Their population has suffered a great decline, especially in European countries. On the other hand, the population is increasing in France and Portugal and is stable in Greece. The LIFE- project in Bulgaria has also added to the increase of the European population and returned vultures to Balkan Peninsula.

           The LIFE Project aimed not only to reintroduce the vultures in the regions but to ensure a secure food supply in the long term, to prevent man-induced poisoning and to reduce the death from power lines to a minimum. Although the project finished in July 2022, the protection measures and feeding stations will be maintained, as well as the cooperation with farmers of the region.

More information about the project at: www.euronatur.org

Latest news about vulture conservation at: 4vultures.org 

Picture taken from 4vultures.org