On the morning of 6 June, 2024, high in the Swiss Alps at Melchsee-Frutt, three young Bearded Vultures (Gypaetus barbatus) began the journey of their lives. These majestic birds, each from a different part of Europe, were released into the wild together at about 3 months old. Since then, they have had to learn a lot – without a parent that they could have imitated in this learning process.
Their excellent development marks a significant milestone in the ongoing alpine Bearded Vulture Reintroduction program, reinforcing hopes for the species’ successful restoration in the region.
Paradiso’s first flight
Paradiso from Beauval Zoo in France, was the first one to fly – only six days after his release! His first flight was a graceful 30-second journey, during which he executed a smooth turn before landing safely near the release niche. His diligence in practicing his flying techniques quickly paid off—Paradiso became an adept flier in a matter of weeks.
His bond with Gaia and Aurora grew as the trio began to explore their new environment together, even sharing the nest on occasion. Paradiso and Gaia often fly together and regularly spend the night near each other. There is also rarely any rivalry when it comes to eating.
However, the chances of Gaia and Paradiso forming a pair are slim. Bearded vultures do not reach sexual maturity until they are five years old, and the first successful breeding usually takes place at the age of eight to nine. Before they reach that point, they go on extensive forays. However, young Bearded Vultures are occasionally observed traveling together and spending a lot of time together.
Gaia soaring the skies
Gaia from the Torreferrussa Wildlife Centre in Spain, was the second to fly. After spending her first night outside the release niche on 24 June, she tentatively climbed back in the next morning, where she drank, ate, and stretched her wings.
Her initial flight, at just 125 days old, was brief—only 15 seconds long. Yet, in those few moments, Gaia tasted freedom for the first time. After a half-hour rest, she courageously attempted another flight, followed by two more. Her fourth flight, however, was a true test of her newfound skills. An older Bearded Vulture, almost fully grown, spotted her and chased her. Despite the pursuit, Gaia managed to land safely, a testament to her burgeoning flying prowess.
Aurora’s skillful escape
Aurora, the youngest of the three who came from the Richard Faust Zentrum Specialized Breeding Centre in Austria, was the last to take flight. Her journey began with a bit of a scare—on 6 July, the monitoring team couldn’t find her at dawn. Just as concern set in, Aurora appeared, soaring elegantly above the release niche. (See video here)
She had made her escape, climbing over the fence and taking her first flight directly towards “the breakfast table”. From that moment on, Aurora joined Gaia and Paradiso in their aerial adventures, the trio now often seen soaring together over Hengliboden.
Successful explorations and adventures
The three young vultures had to quickly adapt to the ever-changing conditions of the Swiss Alps. Thanks to the GPS transmitters attached to their backs, their every move was closely monitored, ensuring their safety from a distance. For instance, on 16 July, Paradiso took an ambitious flight that led him far from Hengliboden, across the Urnerland, and over several mountain peaks. His long journey tested his stamina and navigational skills, but the GPS data confirmed he was safe and doing well.
Aurora followed in Paradiso’s footsteps (or rather, wingtips) by embarking on her own exploration just three weeks after her first flight. She ventured far, soaring over Melchsee-Frutt, and spent nights in unfamiliar territories. Her return on 29 July was met with relief by the monitoring team, who observed her careful attempts to land amidst strong winds and thermals.
As the weeks have passed, the trio has become more and more independent. They no longer return to the niche every night, instead seeking out their own places to sleep on steep rock faces, far from the reach of potential predators. They honed their flying and foraging skills, learning to spot food from great distances and to navigate the fog and challenging weather conditions that often blanketed the mountains.
A future full of promise
By early August 2024, Gaia, Paradiso, and Aurora had become confident fliers, ready to explore the vast expanse of the Alps. Their forays have become longer and more ambitious, sometimes taking them out of sight for days. Yet, they always returned to Henglihang, where the monitoring team ensured they were well-fed and healthy.
The release and subsequent monitoring of these vultures would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of countless individuals and organizations. The future of Gaia, Paradiso and Aurora in the wild is bright, and with continued support, they may one day raise their own young, ensuring that the skies over the Alps remain filled with the awe-inspiring sight of Bearded Vultures.
We are delighted that all three young vultures have developed so well and that we can now be confident that Gaia, Paradiso and Aurora are ready to explore the Alps on their own.
Thank you Stiftung Pro Bartgeier for providing these insights! You can read more details about the journeys of the three vultures on Stiftung Pro Bartgeiers photo blog.
Bearded Vulture EEP
The releases in Switzerland were done as a part of EAZA’s European Endangered Species Programme (Bearded Vulture EEP) that is coordinated by us at VCF. The programme consists of a network of zoos, private collections and specialised breeding centres that breed Bearded Vultures in captivity for conservation purposes.
As coordinators of the Bearded Vulture Captive Breeding Network, we make sure that all partners accept, respect and follow the guidelines of the EEP and continually work with our colleagues across Europe to ensure the best breeding results from the birds within the network.
