On 17 May 2025, Bulgaria will witness a historical moment in wildlife conservation—the release of the first Bearded Vultures in over half a century, marking the beginning of their reintroduction into the wild.
A species with a tragic past
Once soaring over Bulgaria’s mountains, the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) vanished from the country due to relentless human pressures. Persecution through shooting, poisoned baits, and habitat degradation led to the species’ extinction in Bulgaria. The last known individual was shot in “Sinite Kamani” (Blue Stones Nature Park) in May 1972. Its disappearance left a void in Bulgaria’s biodiversity—and sparked a powerful conservation movement determined to bring the species back. Now, more than 50 years later, we look forward to seeing these birds thrive once again in the very place where they last soared.
A continental conservation effort
The Bearded Vulture once ranged widely across the whole Balkans – not just Bulgaria. Today, it is extinct in most of the region, surviving only in small numbers on Crete. The species has already been successfully reintroduced in several other regions in Europe and we are hoping to see the same success also in the Balkans. Therefore, the Bulgarian initiative is therefore not just a national achievement—it is part of a broader European effort to secure the species’ future.
Decades of determination
The return of the Bearded Vulture is the result of more than 30 years of coordinated conservation work led by Bulgarian organizations including Green Balkans, the Fund for Wild Flora and Fauna (FWFF) among others. The approach focused first on restoring Griffon and Cinereous Vulture populations—critical ecosystem engineers—to create a healthier and safer environment for the eventual return of the Bearded Vulture.
Now, these efforts are about to bear fruit. The first three Bearded Vultures will be released into Sinite Kamani Nature Park using the “hacking” method—an artificial nest technique that mimics natural fledging conditions. This reintroduction marks a turning point for vulture conservation in the Balkans.
Honouring a legacy
The first bird to be released on 17 May 2025 will be named in honour of Nikolay Boev (1922–1985), a renowned Bulgarian zoologist and conservationist who first envisioned the return of the Bearded Vulture to Bulgaria. It was Boev who suggested the vulture as a symbol for Bulgaria’s protected areas—a legacy now taking flight in a very real sense.
Join the celebration
The release event will take place on 17th May 2025 at Tuida Fortress, Sliven, near the Blue Stones Nature Park. Conservationists, local communities, and vulture enthusiasts are invited to witness this monumental moment. For updates and to participate, follow Green Balkans on Facebook or reach out to the organizers directly: etilova@greenbalkans.org
The Bearded Vulture LIFE Project
This historic release is part of The “Bearded Vulture LIFE” project – a comprehensive initiative, aiming to restore the Bearded Vulture and Cinereous Vulture across Bulgaria and the Balkans. With a budget of €5.17 million, co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE Programme, the project commenced in August 2023 and is expected to continue until 2030. Building upon the achievements of its predecessor, “Vultures Back to Life,” it is coordinated by Green Balkans, with five more partner organizations within Bulgaria, including the Fund for Wild Flora and Fauna, Foundation EkoObshtnost, EVN – Elektropradelenie Yug EAD, Severozapadno Darzhavno Predpriyatie – Vratsa, and “Sinite kamani” Nature Park Directorate. Furthermore, the project benefits from international collaboration, including the Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF), responsible for the translocation and safeguarding of captive-bred birds secured for release. Additionally, the partner Milvus group is responsible for executing conservation efforts in Romania.
