This summer has seen a noticeable uptick in wildlife sightings across highly populated areas in Sardinia, from beaches to bustling city centers. The latest encounter, and perhaps one of the most surprising, occurred a few days ago in the city of Alghero.
A young Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) —likely originating from Italy’s only indigenous colony in Bosano or from the cliffs of Capo Caccia, where restocking projects have successfully reestablished this species’ presence—decided to make an unexpected stop in the Sant’Anna residential district.
A surprising arrival
The Griffon Vulture’s sudden appearance caught the attention of both curious residents and local conservation volunteers. Members of LIPU (Italian League for Bird Protection), including regional representative Francesco Guillot, quickly arrived at the scene to assess the situation. Noting the bird’s unusual behaviour of resting on the roof and window of a house, they promptly alerted the Forest and Environmental Surveillance Corps for the rescue.
A safe rescue
The response team acted swiftly to ensure the young Griffon Vulture’s safety. Officers successfully retrieved the bird and transported it to the Bonassai Wildlife Recovery Centre, managed by the Agencia Regionale Forestas. There, the young vulture will receive proper care and evaluation to ensure it can return to its natural habitat without harm.
A call to action for the friends of vultures
While this particular incident ended happily, it serves as a reminder to report any sightings of Griffon Vultures in unusual locations or situations that may pose risks to their health.
By doing so, we can all contribute to the ongoing efforts to protect and support the repopulation of these magnificent birds. If you see a vulture in distress or in an unusual area, please contact the local authorities.
Supporting the Griffon Vulture comeback to Sardinia
The Griffon Vulture, an important species in Sardinia’s ecosystem, saw its numbers drop significantly, putting it at risk of extinction. Concentrated in northwest Sardinia, the population grew from around 100 in 2015 to about 250 in 2020, thanks to the LIFE Under Griffon Wings project. The follow-up project LIFE Safe for Vultures now aims to secure the long-term survival of the species on the island through restocking the population and mitigating threats.
LIFE Safe for Vultures is a project co-financed by the EU’s LIFE Programme, acting as the first step to restoring the vulture guild in Sardinia. The University of Sassari leads the project in collaboration with Agenzia Regionale Forestas, Sardegna Corpo Forestale, E-Distribuzione and the Vulture Conservation Foundation. LIFE Safe for Vultures builds on the work of the successful LIFE Under Griffon Wings, with the ultimate objective for Griffon Vultures to regain their historic ranges and distribution areas from the central-eastern part of Sardinia to the south and, at the same time, promote the long-term survival of the species on the island.
