Wind farm developments in Thrace threaten iconic vulture species

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A recent scientific study conducted by the University of Ioannina in collaboration with the Thrace Biodiversity Protection Society has issued a stark warning about the future of two iconic vulture species in Thrace, Greece—the Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) and the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus). The study highlights the severe consequences of expanding wind farm developments in the region, with projections that these vultures could face a dramatic decline or even extinction within decades. 

wind farm develpoments

Findings from the study sound alarm on vulture populations 

The research specifically assessed the risk of collision between the vultures and wind turbines, emphasizing the cumulative impact these developments could have on the populations of both species. The results are alarming: even in the most optimistic scenarios, where no new wind farms beyond those licensed by 2022 are built, up to 30% of the Cinereous Vulture population and 7% of the Griffon Vulture population could be lost annually due to collisions. These losses are particularly concerning for the already vulnerable Cinereous Vulture, whose population is far smaller and more isolated. It would be a significant setback considering that the Cinereous Vulture population in Thrace was the only remaining population of the species that survived in the Balkans, before reintroduction efforts in Bulgaria brought the species back from extinction.  

cinereous vulture flight

The study analyzed three scenarios that correlate the number of wind turbines with the populations of Griffon Vultures and Cinereous Vultures in Thrace, including the Bulgarian transboundary population, which is on the rise.  

  1. Best-case scenario: If no new wind farms beyond those licensed by 2022 are installed, vulture populations could stabilize or potentially increase over the next 20 years. However, this is deemed unrealistic given the current trajectory of approvals. 
  1. Moderate scenario: If only the licensed wind farms are built, with no additional approvals, the Cinereous Vulture population could vanish in 18 years, and the growth of the Griffon Vulture population would slow significantly. 
  1. Worst-case scenario: If both the licensed and planned wind farms are constructed, the Cinereous Vulture population could disappear within 2 to 5 years, and the Griffon Vulture could face extinction within 20 years. 

Wind Farms vs. conservation action plans 

Despite mounting evidence of the threat posed by wind farms to vultures, the Greek government has continued to approve new developments, including projects within crucial habitats like Natura 2000 sites. These decisions run counter to national and international conservation action plans that emphasize the protection of key breeding and feeding areas for vultures. For example, recent approvals of wind farms in the Rodope region, home to a significant portion of Thrace’s vulture populations, have sparked concern among conservationists. 

In fact, since 2022, over 563 bird and bat fatalities have been recorded at existing wind farms in the Evros and Rodope regions, including the deaths of 7 Cinereous Vultures and 9 Griffon Vultures, highlighting the already devastating impact of wind energy developments on wildlife in the area. 

griffon vulture flight

Broader implications for Europe 

The threat to vultures in Greece is a symptom of a broader concern across Europe, where the rapid expansion of wind energy projects poses significant risks to wildlife. As the continent shifts towards renewable energy to combat climate change, it is essential that these developments are carefully planned and managed to avoid harming vulnerable species. Vultures, in particular, are susceptible to collisions with wind turbines due to their soaring habits, and the fragmentation of their habitats by wind farms further exacerbates the threat to their survival. 

To mitigate these impacts, a multi-faceted approach is necessary. Firstly, stricter Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) should be conducted to rigorously evaluate the cumulative effects of wind farms, especially in sensitive areas like Thrace, before new projects are approved. Governments must also adhere to national and international conservation plans that outline strategies to protect species like vultures.  

Ultimately, collaboration between conservationists and energy providers is crucial in finding solutions to this problem. This can involve implementing mitigation measures such as shutdown-on-demand systems, as well as researching new ways to make turbines safer for wildlife. 

Without immediate action, Greece—and Europe as a whole—risks losing some of its most emblematic and ecologically important species. The preservation of vultures and other threatened birds should not be sidelined in the quest for renewable energy, but rather, integrated into a sustainable future where both energy needs and wildlife can thrive. 

Source: SPBT 

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