The LIFE Aegypius Return project continues its bold mission to bring the Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) back to a stable and thriving population in Portugal. As 2024 draws to a close, it’s a good moment to look back and celebrate all the incredible progress made this year.
A look back: The Cinereous Vulture in Iberia
Not so long ago, the Cinereous Vulture was a familiar sight across the Iberian Peninsula. But as the 20th century unfolded, their numbers plummeted. Habitat destruction, poisoning, and persecution drove these majestic birds to the brink. By the 1970s, Portugal’s breeding population was gone, and Spain had just 200 pairs remaining.
Things began to turn around in Spain during the late 1980s, thanks to focused conservation efforts. By 2010, something amazing happened—the Cinereous Vulture naturally recolonized Portugal after 40 long years. When Spanish birds begun breeding there. By 2022, the population had grown to 40 pairs, but the progress was fragile. Their small colonies and slow growth highlighted the urgent need for action. That’s where LIFE Aegypius Return came in, a project with ambitious goals.
2024: A year of achievements
This year has been nothing short of groundbreaking, with key achievements across all areas of the project:
Population growth and breeding success
The progress has been astounding. Between 108 and 116 nesting pairs were recorded this year—a massive jump from just 40 pairs in 2022. Even more exciting, these nests produced at least 48 fledglings! And as if that wasn’t enough, a brand-new fifth breeding colony was discovered, proving the species is expanding its reach in Portugal.
Nest building and maintenance
To help support breeding success, the team focused on improving nesting conditions. They built artificial nesting platforms in areas with high potential, completing 22% of the project’s goal. At the same time, they achieved 38% of their maintenance target for existing nests, making them safer and more stable. These efforts help attract new breeders and reduce nest failures.
Soft releases and tagging success
An acclimatization aviary was built this year, enabling the soft release of four Cinereous Vultures. So far, 41 vultures have been tagged—this includes chicks, rehabilitated birds, soft-released individuals, and even one adult. GPS tracking is giving researchers critical data on how these birds move, where they forage, and what threats they face. The ultimate goal? Tag 60 vultures.
Habitat and foraging improvements
Another big focus is habitat improvement. This year, a habitat suitability study and roost analysis were completed, and work on management plans is ongoing.
Food availability studies demonstrate there is a shortage of feeding resources. The project will therefore implement a supplementary feeding strategy to make sure the growing population can thrive.
Fighting wildlife poisoning
Poisoning is one of the biggest threats to vultures, but proactive efforts this year made a real difference. A reference study was completed, and three new K9 anti-poison patrols were deployed. Samples from alive and dead vultures have been sent to Portuguese and Spanish reference labs, an important action to monitor this threat.
Public engagement and awareness
Conservation doesn’t happen in a bubble, and raising awareness has been a major priority in 2024. The project gained extensive media coverage and released two animation videos: one on the return of the species in Portugal and another spotlighting the project. These efforts are helping to inspire people and bring new supporters on board.
Looking ahead to 2025
As the LIFE Aegypius Return project steps into 2025, the focus is clear: build on the progress made so far and tackle the challenges that remain. This year, the priorities will include improving habitat management, stepping up fire prevention efforts, and constructing more nesting platforms in key areas. Expanding feeding zones will also be essential to provide the growing Cinereous Vulture population with the resources they need to thrive.
The fight against wildlife poisoning will continue to be at the heart of the project’s work. Plans are already in place to strengthen collaboration and advocacy through initiatives like the Antidote Programme, as well as to improve enforcement of anti-poisoning laws. These efforts will help protect not just vultures but entire ecosystems.
Another critical goal for 2025 is to bridge gaps in understanding and foster cooperation. Studies on ecosystem services and concerns raised by livestock breeders will be wrapped up and shared, providing insights into conflicts and practical solutions. Engaging stakeholders will also take center stage, with participatory platforms and targeted outreach aimed at raising awareness about threats and how to mitigate them. Hunters will be offered training in the use of non-lead ammunition, a step that could significantly reduce risks to vultures and other wildlife.
Of course, none of this can succeed without the dedication and close collaboration among all the project’s partners and stakeholders. Conservation organizations, landowners, researchers, and government agencies play a part.
With these efforts in place, 2025 is shaping up to be another year of meaningful progress—not just for the Cinereous Vulture in Portugal, but for conservation as a whole.
About LIFE Aegypius Return
The LIFE Aegypius Return project is co-financed by the European Union’s LIFE programme. Its success depends on the involvement of all the relevant stakeholders, and on the collaboration of the partners, the Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF), the coordinating beneficiary, and the local partners Palombar – Conservation of Nature and Rural Heritage (with co-funding from Viridia – Conservation in Action), Herdade da Contenda, Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves, Liga para a Protecção da Natureza, Associação Transumância e Natureza, Fundación Naturaleza y Hombre, Guarda Nacional Republicana and Associação Nacional de Proprietários Rurais Gestão Cinegética e Biodiversidade.
