On 20 September 2025, in the Omurtag area of Bulgaria, a Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) released under the Bearded Vulture LIFE reintroduction project in the Balkan Mountains was tragically shot. This individual was part of one of the three successful pairs that raised chicks this year in the Kotlenska Mountains — marking the most successful breeding season since the reintroduction programme began.
A call to end poaching
The competent authorities have been informed, and we hope that the perpetrator will be identified and held accountable. However, while the law provides for fines of up to BGN 10,000 (around 5100€) and even imprisonment, these sanctions are rarely enforced.
We hope this case serves as a wake-up call — an end to poaching in the region, particularly against endangered species that conservationists have worked for years to restore.
Illegal killing of vultures
Despite strict legal protection, the illegal killing of birds of prey continues to occur across Europe. Vultures, eagles, and other raptors are still deliberately targeted in some regions, falling victim to poaching and persecution. These acts are not only a grave threat to biodiversity but also undermine security and economic stability. In the Balkans, wildlife crime — whether through poaching, poisoning, illegal trade, or habitat destruction — remains one of the main drivers of species decline.
Fortunately, Bulgaria has already taken steps to strengthen its response. In late 2024, the Ministry of Environment and Water organised a national field training course for the police on wildlife crime. The training brought together police officers, conservationists, and forensic experts, equipping them with the tools and skills needed to investigate cases of poisoning and persecution more effectively. This very training was designed to prepare for cases like the tragic shooting of this Cinereous Vulture.
Hope and determination continue
We remain committed to restoring vulture populations and safeguarding the fragile ecological balance they represent. We continue to believe that the future can be brighter, and that our collective work will not end in disappointment, but in hope and resilience.
Together, we can ensure a future where vultures once again soar safely over the Balkans.
Bearded Vulture LIFE
The “Bearded Vulture LIFE” project – a comprehensive initiative, aiming to restore the Bearded Vulture and Cinereous Vulture across Bulgaria and the Balkans. With a budget of €5.17 million, co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE Programme, the project commenced in August 2023 and is expected to continue until 2030. Building upon the achievements of its predecessor, “Vultures Back to Life,” it is coordinated by Green Balkans, with five more partner organizations within Bulgaria, including the Fund for Wild Flora and Fauna, Foundation EkoObshtnost, EVN – Elektropradelenie Yug EAD, Severozapadno Darzhavno Predpriyatie – Vratsa, and “Sinite kamani” Nature Park Directorate. Furthermore, the project benefits from international collaboration, including the Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF), responsible for the translocation and safeguarding of captive-bred birds secured for release. Additionally, the partner Milvus group is responsible for executing conservation efforts in Romania.
