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: the first Cinereous Vulture chicks hatched, and one new nest was confirmed in Malcata Nature Reserve (Portugal)
Good news from the Cinereous Vulture colony (Aegypius monachus) in the Malcata …
Joining forces: The importance of academic and non-academic conservationists working together for vulture conservation
Academic and non-academic collaboration is key in addressing complex conservation challenges. The European …
Banning lead ammunition in Portugal: Conference organised by the LIFE Aegypius Return project partners at the largest hunting fair in the country
Since February 2023, national authorities all over Europe have been working on …
Discover the newly launched LIFE Aegypius Return website
Introducing the newly launched LIFE Aegypius Return website – your one-stop destination for all …
European Vulture Conference 2023: Abstract Submission and Registration now open!
We are thrilled to announce that abstract submission and registration for the European …
Meet Zimbro: The first Cinereous Vulture released within the LIFE Aegypius Return project
Can you imagine a better way to welcome spring than the release …
A new Cinereous Vulture breeding pair confirmed at Herdade da Contenda during the LIFE Aegypius Return auditor visit
For two days, partners of the LIFE Aegypius Return project gathered at Herdade da Contenda (Moura, …
New dates for the European Vulture Conference 2023
We are excited to announce that the European Vulture Conference 2023 has …
LIFE Aegypius Return: How many Cinereous Vulture pairs started breeding in Southern Portugal this season?
Cinereous Vultures (Aegypius monachus) normally start breeding in early February, and this year was …
Change of dates for the European Vulture Conference 2023
Attention to all interested in participating in the upcoming European Vulture Conference …
The breeding season started for Cinereous Vultures in the International Douro Valley, Portugal | LIFE Aegypius Return
The only two Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) breeding pairs in the International …
Recapping the movements of Cinereous Vulture Monsanto | LIFE Aegypius Return
After following the Cinereous Vulture Monsanto from Portugal for 16 months, his …
First maintenances of Cinereous Vulture nests in Portugal bring promising results | LIFE Aegypius Return
With the first maintenance of Cinereous Vulture nests, the LIFE Aegypius Return team has …
LIFE Aegypius Return: New project to consolidate the return of a threatened vulture species along the Portuguese and Spanish border
Almost four decades after becoming extinct as a breeding species in Portugal, …
LIFE Aegypius Return: Consolidar o regresso de uma espécie de abutre ameaçada, ao longo da fronteira portuguesa e espanhola
Quase quatro décadas após se ter extinguido em Portugal como espécie nidificante, …
Public Presentation Session for LIFE Aegypius return
Come and discover our newly launched project LIFE Aegypius return, which aims …
