{"id":35886,"date":"2023-08-24T10:32:56","date_gmt":"2023-08-24T07:32:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/?p=35886"},"modified":"2025-05-05T15:46:49","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T12:46:49","slug":"where-zimbro-and-geres-the-cinereous-vultures-released-in-portugal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/pt\/blog\/where-zimbro-and-geres-the-cinereous-vultures-released-in-portugal\/","title":{"rendered":"Where are Zimbro and Ger\u00eas, the Cinereous Vultures released in Portugal?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cinereous Vultures (Aegypius monachus<\/a><\/em>) Zimbro and Ger\u00eas probably never crossed paths, yet they have a lot in common. After being rehabilitated in wildlife rescue centres, both have regained their freedom in Northeastern Portugal, at the heart of the Douro International Nature Park<\/a>. Before releasing them, the projeto LIFE Aegypius Return<\/a> team fitted them with GPS transmitters and has been following their movements.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Zimbro in flight after being released in Douro International Nature Park, Portugal \u00a9 Manuel Nunes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Where are the Cinereous Vultures released in Portugal?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Zimbro hatched in the wild in 2021 in an unknown location. Later that year, he was found weak in central Portugal and entered the Wildlife Rescue Centre in Lisbon (LXCras)<\/a>. It took almost one year of treatment and physiotherapy under the attentive care of the veterinary team for Zimbro to recover fully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rehabilitated in December 2022, he was transferred to CIARA to regain his flight practice and needed musculature. Finally, on 21 March 2023, Zimbro was released in Northeastern Portugal<\/a> and shortly after flew to Spain. He has been wandering in the province of Zamora since then, slowly expanding his range every week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Map of Cinereous Vulture Zimbro’s movements in August 2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ger\u00eas hatched in 2022 and was unfortunately shot in October. He entered the wildlife rescue centre at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Tr\u00e1s-os-Montes and Alto Douro (CRAS-HVUTA<\/a>D<\/a>) with a broken wing. After orthopaedic surgery and veterinary treatment, he was also transferred to CIARA<\/a> to restore his flying skills. Ger\u00eas was released only two weeks ago<\/a>, on 10 August, in the same place as Zimbro. Curiously, though, he has been intensively exploring the Nature Park but never dared to cross the Douro River towards the Spanish side! (Watch the videos of Zimbro and Ger\u00eas’ releases in the end of this article<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Map of Cinereous Vulture Ger\u00eas’ movements in August 2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Even though they are both juveniles, only one year apart, Zimbro is much more confident in his flying skills, daring to travel longer distances and showing a different dispersal pattern. Ger\u00eas has only regained his freedom recently and might be cautious with new adventures. Will he remain in Portugal? Or will, eventually, follow the steps of Zimbro?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The release of Zimbro in the International Douro Nature Park \u00a9 Manuel Nunes, Milene Matos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Joint Map of Cinereous Vultures Zimbro and Ger\u00eas in August 2023<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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We carefully monitor the Cinereous Vultures tagged within the LIFE Aegypius Return project framework to act fast in case any of them show strange movement patterns or difficulties. This vigilance is essential when the chicks tagged in the nest fledge, as they are vulnerable and susceptible to predator attacks or flight accidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\nMilene Matos, LIFE Aegypius Return Project Coordinator at VCF<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Tagging wild-hatched and recovered Cinereous Vultures in Portugal ahead of release<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

LIFE Aegypius Return project partners have been extensively monitoring the four breeding areas since the start of this season. After confirming the successful reproduction of the known nests and identifying some new ones, the local teams spread across the Portuguese eastern border followed from close the development of this year\u2019s nestlings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In total, 15 chicks were tagged<\/a> and analysed in the nest, a complex task that requires several experienced professionals<\/a>, including climbers, veterinarians and biologists. Some of the chicks tagged this year have already fledged, with timid flights in the vicinity of the nests. Their parents will continue to feed the chicks for the coming two months, until they are completely independent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cinereous Vulture juvenile in the nest, tagged with a GPS transmitter, LIFE Aegypius Return \u00a9 Ivan Guti\u00e9rrez<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Tagging Cinereous Vulture with a GPS Transmitter within the LIFE Aegypius Return \u00a9 David Rodrigues<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Apart from the wild hatchlings, individuals who enter wildlife rescue centres are also integrated in the project. So far, they have been acclimatised in CIARA, where a large flight tunnel helps them regain their flight musculature. Like Zimbro and Ger\u00eas, birds rehabilitated will be released in the Douro International Nature Park, which holds the smallest and most fragile Portuguese colony<\/a>. Soon, though, a new acclimatisation aviary, exclusively for Cinereous Vultures, will be built close to the place of release, increasing the chances of the juvenile birds returning to the territory once they reach sexual maturity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Watch the releases of Zimbro and Ger\u00eas!<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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