LIFE Aegypius Return
Consolidating and expanding the Cinereous Vulture population in Portugal and Western Spain
The Cinereous Vulture in Portugal and Spain through the years
20th Century
Formerly widespread in Iberia, the Cinereous Vulture was becoming increasingly scarce in the region over the 20th Century due to habitat loss, wildlife poisoning and direct persecution.1970s
The species is in trouble. The Cinereous Vulture breeding population went extinct in Portugal, and only around 200 pairs remained in Spain in 1973.From the late 1980s onwards
Cinereous Vulture numbers start recovering in Spain following the implementation of legal protection and targeted conservation measures.2010
The Cinereous Vulture naturally recolonises Portugal four decades following its extinction when birds from nearby Spanish breeding colonies began to nest there thanks to the expansion of the population in Spain and after conservation actions improved conditions for scavenging birds in Portugal.2022
The number of Cinereous Vulture pairs increased to 40 in Portugal, but the population and breeding colonies remain fragile, and the recolonisation process is too slow and limited. Urgent action is needed.LIFE Aegypius Return launched in 2022 to consolidate, enhance and accelerate the return of Cinereous in Portugal and Western Spain using a transnational and multidisciplinary approach.
Objectives and Scope
The long-term project objective is to secure a favourable conservation status for the Cinereous Vulture in Portugal.
PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Double the breeding population in Portugal from 40 to 80 pairs
Increase breeding success
Downgrade national status from Critically Endangered to Endangered
Enhance the connectivity between colonies
Actions
The project team strives to achieve the project objectives by improving the Cinereous Vulture's habitat and foraging conditions,reinforcing the population, limiting threats and developing national capacities across ten Natura 2000 sites along almost the entire Spanish-Portuguese border.
Funder and Partners
LIFE Aegypius Return is co-financed by the EU’s LIFE Programme and has a budget of 3.7 million euros. Its success relies on the involvement of all relevant stakeholders and the extensive collaboration of the leading project partner, the
Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF), with all local partners:
Palombar – Conservação da Natureza e do Património Rural,
Herdade da Contenda,
Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves,
Liga para a Proteção da Natureza,
Associação Transumância e Natureza,
Fundación Naturaleza y Hombre,
Guarda Nacional Republicana e Associação Nacional de Proprietários Rurais and
Associação Nacional de Proprietários Rurais Gestão Cinegética e Biodiversidade.
Optimistic developments in Portugal’s most vulnerable Cinereous Vulture breeding colony
March 26, 2024
During the 2024 breeding season, the LIFE Aegypius Return project team observed ...
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Portuguese stakeholders strengthen cooperation for the conservation of the Cinereous Vulture
March 8, 2024
As part of the LIFE Aegypius Return project, NGOs and the competent ...
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Filmmaker needed for LIFE Aegypius Return documentary in Portugal and Western Spain
February 15, 2024
We are thrilled to announce a unique opportunity for filmmakers to be ...
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Vultures have personality too – in life and death
February 14, 2024
The movements of the Cinereous Vultures tagged with GPS/GSM transmitters within LIFE ...
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Another 49 police officers trained in rescuing and handling Cinereous Vultures in Portugal – LIFE Aegypius Return
January 15, 2024
In Portugal, wildlife rescue is usually ensured by a special department (SEPNA) ...
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Safer nests and new nesting platforms for Cinereous Vultures in Portugal – LIFE Aegypius Return
January 8, 2024
The Cinereous Vulture population in Portugal has now safer nests and new ...
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2023 in review: our work 4 Vultures
December 31, 2023
Out with the Old, In with the New! 2023 in review: as ...
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“Zeal and great determination”: the incredible story of the first Cinereous Vultures born in Portugal after extinction
December 29, 2023
Some weeks ago, Quercus, a Portuguese NGO, set up a trap to ...
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European Vulture Conference 2023 Takeaways: What are the latest updates on vulture conservation and research in Europe and beyond?
December 22, 2023
The second European Vulture Conference (EVC) held in Cáceres, Spain, from November ...
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Poster Insights from the European Vulture Conference 2023
December 1, 2023
The European Vulture Conference 2023 featured a comprehensive scientific program, showcasing 61 ...
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Day 3 Insights from the European Vulture Conference 2023
November 30, 2023
The final day of the European Vulture Conference 2023 concluded with insightful ...
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Day 2 Insights from the European Vulture Conference 2023
November 29, 2023
Day two of the European Vulture Conference began with two keynote speeches ...
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Cinereous Vultures in Portugal: nine artificial nests installed in Douro International Nature Park
November 11, 2023
Nine new artificial nests have been installed in the most fragile Cinereous ...
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Discovering Cáceres with a cultural visit during the European Vulture Conference 2023
November 6, 2023
As the anticipation grows for the upcoming European Vulture Conference 2023, we ...
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Year one of LIFE Aegypius Return brings hope for Cinereous Vulture recovery in Portugal
October 24, 2023
According to the latest data from the LIFE Aegypius Return project, there ...
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Exploring the birds of Extremadura: Field trips at the European Vulture Conference 2023
October 23, 2023
Extremadura is known as one of Europe’s significant regions for birds, particularly ...
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After being rescued from the nest, Cinereous Vulture “Aquis” is back in the wild – LIFE Aegypius Return
September 21, 2023
Cinereous Vulture Aquis was still too young to fly when the LIFE ...
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Uncovering the challenges of Neotropical Vultures by Sergio Lambertucci
September 16, 2023
Dr. Sergio Lambertucci is a well-known figure in the field of ecology ...
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Is there hope for Cinereous Vulture “Esperança”?
September 12, 2023
Cinereous Vulture Esperança (which means “hope” in Portuguese) was released in 2021 ...
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Vultures, predators, and the stories they share with humans by Dr. Marcos Moleón
September 6, 2023
In the complex world of scavenging, humans and carnivorous animals share something ...
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Dr. Darcy Ogada: Unveiling the complex web of vulture poisoning in Africa and Europe
August 29, 2023
Dr. Darcy Ogada will be a Keynote Speaker at the European Vulture ...
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