Griffon vultures have returned to the Gennargentu mountains in Sardinia. Recent sightings confirm what the GPS tracking recorded over the past months. The LIFE Safe for Vultures project marks another major milestone, thanks to the expansion of the supplementary feeding stations nework in central, south-east and south-west Sardinia.

Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) are once again flying high over the Gennargentu mountains (Sardinia – Italy). The recent sightings, confirmed by GPS tracking data, are part of a larger success story.
At the heart of this progress is the LIFE Safe for Vultures project, coordinated by the University of Sassari in collaboration with Agenzia Regionale Forestas, the Sardinian Forestry and Environmental Surveillance Corps, E-Distribuzione and the Vulture Conservation Foundation. The two main actions guaranteed the achievement of this recent milestone: the reintroduction of Griffon Vultures in the South of Sardinia, and the expansion of the network of supplementary feeding stations all over the island. This last intensive effort is crucial to address one of the main challenges for the species on the island: food availability.
New territories, new hopes
Recently, the LIFE Safe for Vultures experts were informed of several Griffon Vultures sightings in the Gennargentu mountains area and in Arzana municipality. These sightings confirmed what had already emerged from GPS tracking data of vultures released from the Villasalto aviary. In recent months, several tagged individuals have repeatedly frequented the area. This encouraging news comes at the perfect time. Professor Fiammetta Berlinguer of the University of Sassari, the scientific coordinator of the project, highlighted that these sightings are very encouraging and motivate more farmers to join the feeding station network.
Furthermore, the LIFE Safe for Vultures project recently confirmed the formation of a new Griffon Vulture colony in South Sardinia. 21 vultures of the 68 released since 2024 from the acclimation aviary managed by Forestas in Monte Gennis forestry site, established their territory in the Sette Fratelli mountain range. The presence of a local supplementary feeding station surely supported the establishment of a stable colony.

A growing supplementary feeding stations network

Food scarcity is one of the main challenges that vultures face in Europe. To provide safe and constant access to food for vultures the LIFE Under the Griffon Wings and the LIFE Safe for Vultures projects created a total of 48 supplementary feeding station in Sardinia and 8 more are on the way. Unlike past efforts that focused mainly on the northwest, this expanded network covers Central, Southeastern, and Southwestern Sardinia, supporting the griffon Vultures population growth and range expansion, from approximately 100 individuals in 2015 to 450 counted last year.
Supplementary feeding stations support both vultures and farmers. Disposing carcasses in a feeding station cuts the costs of transport and incineration for local livestock breeders. At the same time, they provide a safe and controlled source of food for vultures. The success of the network is underpinned by the collaboration of numerous entities, institutions, associations, and volunteers.
The key to success is a holistic conservation approach
The LIFE Safe for Vultures recent successes confirm that vultures conservation needs to take care of many different aspects: feeding opportunities, habitat availability and community involvement. Local communities are the custodians of the territory; making them part of conservation efforts contributes to the long-term survival of Griffon Vultures in Sardinia. As the feeding stations network grows, more and more people will contribute to vultures conservation on the island. Vultures will be part of the local culture and daily life once again.
The LIFE Safe for Vultures project

LIFE Safe for Vultures is co-financed by the EU’s LIFE Programme to restore the vulture guild in Sardinia. The University of Sassari leads the project in collaboration with Agenzia Regionale Forestas, Sardegna Corpo Forestale, E-Distribuzione and the Vulture Conservation Foundation. LIFE Safe for Vultures builds on the work of the successful LIFE Under Griffon Wings, with the ultimate objective for Griffon Vultures to regain their historic ranges and distribution areas from the central-eastern part of Sardinia to the south and promote the long-term survival of the species on the island. An additional feeding station will be established south of the island, and 40 additional Griffon Vultures will be translocated and released.