{"id":38214,"date":"2024-08-26T16:21:25","date_gmt":"2024-08-26T13:21:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/?p=38214"},"modified":"2025-05-05T15:46:42","modified_gmt":"2025-05-05T12:46:42","slug":"meet-bulgarias-cinereous-vulture-chicks-of-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/pt\/blog\/meet-bulgarias-cinereous-vulture-chicks-of-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet Bulgaria\u2019s Cinereous Vulture chicks of 2024\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

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In a landmark achievement for vulture conservation, Bulgaria set a new breeding record in 2024<\/a> with Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus<\/em>) chicks raised in the wild, marking significant progress in ongoing efforts to restore this critically endangered species that returned to the country from extinction.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Record-breaking breeding season<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This year, Bulgaria saw a record seven Cinereous Vulture chicks hatch in the wild, the highest number since the reintroduction programme began. However, there were challenges: two chicks were lost\u2014one to a severe hailstorm shortly after hatching and another due to a fall from its nest at two months old. Despite treatment at the Rescue Center in Stara Zagora, it did not survive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite these setbacks, the survival of five chicks is a remarkable achievement. Each of these surviving chicks was fitted with a GPS transmitter while still in their nests, ensuring they can be monitored as they continue to grow and eventually take flight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Progress since the first hatchling<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The success of the 2024 breeding season builds on steady progress over the past few years. The first Cinereous Vulture chick hatched and fledged in 2021<\/a> in the Kotel Mountains that marked the return of the Cinereous Vulture as a breeding species in Bulgaria.The comeback continued with a second chick hatching in 2022 in Ponor and three more chicks successfully fledging in 2023\u2014two from the Kotel Mountains and one from Ponor. These early successes laid the groundwork for this year\u2019s record-breaking season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parent vultures: A testament to reintroduction efforts<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The parent vultures of these chicks were released in the Balkan Mountains as part of the reintroduction programme \u201cVultures back to LIFE\u201d<\/a> <\/s>. Over time, these birds reached sexual maturity, formed pairs, and began nesting. In 2024, a record 20 pairs were established. While not all pairs succeeded in laying eggs or producing viable offspring, the formation of such a significant number of pairs highlights the success of the reintroduction efforts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two of the vulture pairs have demonstrated remarkable consistency, successfully raising chicks for several consecutive years. However, the process is not without its challenges, as seen in the loss of two chicks this year. These incidents underscore the difficulties these vultures face in the wild, from natural elements to other unforeseen dangers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meet the five chicks<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The five surviving chicks have been named to honour individuals and places significant to Bulgarian conservation: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lupi<\/strong> – Named after photographer and conservationist Lyubomir Andreev. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Lupi
Lupi (c) Lyubomir Andreev <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n