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 true long-distance migratory vulture species, discussing Egyptian Vulture conservation highlights as well as exciting news.
Achievements and exciting news relating to the Egyptian Vulture conservation in 2021:
- Seven chicks hatched in captivity between the end of May and the beginning of July 2021 at CERM Centro Rapaci Minacciati Association in Italy. Five were released into the wild to boost the local population within the LIFE Egyptian Vulture project and were equipped with GPS transmitters provided by the VCF.
- A new tracking study revealed when, where, and why Egyptian Vultures are dying, providing key insights necessary to address the identified threats.
- Long-term monitoring efforts identified the oldest Egyptian Vulture in the world – a 29-year-old in Spain.
- Conservationists discovered an Egyptian Vulture nest in Cape Verde, which is only the second occupied nest of this extremely endangered island population found in the country over the last five years.
- The first Egyptian Vulture was observed in the UK in 150 years.
- LIFE Rupis project that took an integrated approach to conserve the Egyptian Vulture in the unique region of the international Douro canyon published its layman’s Report and project films.
- A new study determined that supporting the declining Egyptian Vulture population with the release of captive-reared birds every year could delay extinction and therefore afford conservationists more time to reduce lethal threats along a migratory flyway spanning three continents.
- 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 Egyptian Vulture and two other vulture species in the Meteora of the North within the LIFE RE-Vultures project.
- The captive-bred Egyptian Vulture Sara released in Italy is without a doubt a vulture of records. We have been tracking her GPS movements for six years now!
- Another ‘Itlaian’ captive-bred and released Egyptian Vulture, Diego, explored the Balkans (the first within the restocking project) and migrated to Africa for the first time after wintering in Sicily every year.
- Long-term and targeted conservation efforts changed the status of the Egyptian Vulture in Europe from Endangered to Vulnerable, although the species is declining in certain regions.
Don’t forget that you can track the movements of the Egyptian 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!
