2021 was a challenging year for all of us, but our work never stopped, and we continued to protect and conserve Europe’s vulture species.
As we count down the days until 2022, we would like to reflect on some of the fantastic results we achieved for Europe’s vultures. Today we focus on Europe’s largest vulture species, discussing Cinereous Vulture conservation highlights as well as exciting news.
Achievements and exciting news relating to the Cinereous Vulture conservation in 2021:
- The Cinereous Vulture returned as a breeding species in Bulgaria decades after its extinction thanks to years of targeted reintroduction efforts, trans-border collaboration and the ongoing Vultures Back to LIFE project. This outcome became a reality after a reintroduced Cinereous Vulture pair successfully hatched a chick in Bulgaria’s wild. The project team equipped the chick with a GPS- transmitter and have been following its movements and behaviour in the wild after it fledged. Furthermore, six pairs are now established and several others have built nests during the breeding season.
- Twenty-two Cinereous Vultures rescued and rehabilitated in Extremadura were donated to the Vultures Back to LIFE project in Bulgaria. They were then transferred in Bulgaria during the largest transport of its kind for their eventual release as part of reintroduction efforts.
- The Vultures Back to LIFE project counted a total of 20 Cinereous Vultures through visual observations and transmitter data in the Vrachanski Balkan Nature Park in Bulgaria this July, which was a record-breaking number of this rare species for the entire Balkans, outside the breeding colony in the Eastern Rhodopes, Greece.
- The LIFE RE-Vultures project came to an end – over the last five years, this project successfully implemented various conservation actions to conserve Cinereous and Griffon Vultures in the Rhodopes.
- After the reintroduced Cinereous Vulture Kutelka was rescued, rehabilitated and released twice, the vulture performed impressive travels and found a partner.
- A new study conducted in Spain demonstrated the benefits avian scavengers contribute to people and the need to balance nature conservation and a sustainable economy.
- Livestock breeders and conservationists increased safe food sources for the Cinereous Vulture and two other vulture species in the Meteora of the North within the LIFE RE-Vultures project.
Don’t forget that you can track the movements of the Cinereous Vultures we follow with GPS tags by visiting our online public maps.
If you want to help vultures during this holidays season, here are three things you can do:
- Please donate to the VCF and help us continue our work protecting vultures
- Sign up to our newsletter to stay updated and for offering to help vultures when such need arises
- Spread the word on social media and pledge to discuss vultures and their importance to three other people this holiday season
Thank you for your support. The Vulture Conservation Foundation team hopes you are healthy and wishes you a very happy new year!
