On 25 August 2025, Croatia formally adopted a Griffon Vulture Management Plan with Action Plan, representing a major milestone for the LIFE SUPport project and for vulture conservation in the region. This new strategic framework is a model for coordinated, multisectoral conservation. It provides a roadmap for safeguarding this iconic scavenger species over the next decade.
Croatia has taken a significant step forward in vulture conservation with the adoption of a comprehensive Management Plan for the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) on August 25, 2025. This strategic document, developed through the LIFE SUPport project, sets out concrete measures to reduce threats, secure food sources, and ensure the long-term survival of Croatia’s only breeding vulture species.
A collaborative approach to conservation
Griffon Vultures are the only remaining vulture species in Croatia, nesting only in the Kvarner Islands. Despite population growth in recent years, they continue to face threats such as poisoning, electrocution, disturbance, and lack of food.
The Management Plan represents a milestone achievement in collaborative conservation planning. It identifies key problems, and defines goals, priorities and actions for vultures conservation in Croatia. Developed through a participatory process involving all key stakeholders—from nature conservationists to livestock farmers, hunters, and rural development specialists—the plan consolidates conservation activities across multiple sectors for the first time.
A shared vision
The plan articulates an inspiring vision for Croatia’s Griffon Vultures: establishing them as the country’s only vulture species, inhabiting multiple sites along the Adriatic coast and creating a vital link between Alpine and Balkan populations. This vision emphasizes the integration of extensive livestock farming with conservation measures to secure both habitat and food sources for the species.
On the island of Cres and throughout the Kvarner islands, the Griffon Vulture is already an integral part of local identity, with numerous institutions working together to ensure the species’ future. The Management Plan builds upon a study produced by Biom Association, leader of the LIFE SUPport project. In addition, it incorporates activities already underway through the LIFE project.
Strategic priorities
Both the Management Plan and the LIFE SUPport project address critical threats to Griffon Vultures survival through targeted interventions:
- Reducing juvenile mortality by minimizing nesting disturbance
- Improving rescue and rehabilitation operations
- Increasing food availability through feeding stations
- Preventing poisoning incidents
- Reducing electrocution deaths
- Raising awareness among stakeholders and the public
These coordinated efforts are already yielding results. In recent years, Croatia’s Griffon Vulture population has shown continuous growth, with gradual recolonization of new breeding areas. A particularly encouraging development occurred at Učka Nature Park, where a feeding station established in 2017 helped attract vultures back to the area. By 2022, nesting was recorded in the area for the first time in over a century, establishing Croatia’s first mainland colony.
Looking ahead
With clear priorities and coordinated implementation across sectors, the Griffon Vulture Management Plan demonstrates that effective species management requires collaboration among diverse stakeholders and integration of conservation with traditional land use practices.
This management plan is a great example of best practice in Europe. It was built through a participatory process and takes an adaptive, long-term approach, allowing improvements along the way. In addition, it is anchored in EU and national policy frameworks, ensuring lasting impact.
As Croatia implements this ambitious ten-year plan, the Griffon Vulture population is poised to continue its recovery, strengthening the ecological connections between vulture populations across Europe and serving as a symbol of successful conservation partnership. We celebrate this milestone and look forward to working with partners in Croatia and beyond to ensure the protection of these magnificent birds.
LIFE SUPport
La LIFE SUPport aims to strengthen Croatia’s endangered Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) population. A 5-year project co-financed by the EU’s will create better conditions for the species to thrive and recolonise its historical breeding ground on the Croatian mainland. The project aims to improve breeding and survival conditions, minimise nest disturbance, reduce nestling mortality, tackle the threat of poison, mitigate collision and electrocution risks, and increase food availability.
La LIFE SUPport is a 2.1 million project from January 2023 until December 2027. A joint effort led by BIOM with Public Institution Priroda, Otok Krk Agricultural Cooperative, HEP – Operator distribucijskog sustava d.o.o., the energy distribution company, the Vulture Conservation Foundation and the Croatian Nature Protection Directorate (Ministry of Economy) as associate partners.
