{"id":40369,"date":"2025-06-30T18:02:55","date_gmt":"2025-06-30T15:02:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/?p=40369"},"modified":"2025-07-01T16:04:35","modified_gmt":"2025-07-01T13:04:35","slug":"cinereous-vultures-breeding-record-bulgaria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/pt\/blog\/cinereous-vultures-breeding-record-bulgaria\/","title":{"rendered":"New breeding record for Cinereous Vultures in Bulgaria following reintroduction efforts\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a promising turn for wildlife conservation, eight Cinereous Vulture chicks were reared in Bulgaria during the 2025 breeding season \u2014 the highest number recorded since the species was reintroduced to the country. Once extinct as a breeding species, the Cinereous Vulture is gradually re-establishing itself across Bulgaria’s mountainous regions, signalling steady progress toward long-term recovery.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Three
\u00a9 GreenBalkans<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A new high for a recovering species<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This year, 12 to 13 territorial pairs were observed nesting, with eight pairs raising chicks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The successful nests were evenly split between two key mountain regions: Vratsa Balkan with 4 pairs and Kotel Balkan with 4 pairs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breeding pairs included: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Marto & Kamchia <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    1. Balkan & Dobrudzha <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      1. Varshets & Kotlya <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        1. Zlosten & Montana <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
            \n
          1. Khristovich & Raizera <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
              \n
            1. Vratsa Balkan & Kutelka <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                \n
              1. Dzhuninski & Joanita <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                  \n
                1. Kotel & VCF Know-how <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                  Unfortunately, one female \u2014 Kutelka \u2014 died during the breeding period. Her chick was rescued and transferred to the Green Balkans Wildlife Rescue Centre. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \"Cinereous
                  \u00a9 GreenBalkans<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                  A joint conservation effort<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                  The return of the Cinereous Vulture is the result of years of dedicated conservation work by Bulgarian organizations such as Green Balkans, the Fund for Wild Flora and Fauna, and the Society for the Protection of Birds of Prey, in cooperation with international partners including the Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Since 2018, more than 100 Cinereous Vultures were released in Bulgaria through the Vultures Back to LIFE<\/a> e Bearded Vulture LIFE<\/a> projects, both co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE Programme. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Most of the released vultures were rescued from the wild in Spain and donated primarily by the regional government of Extremadura (Junta de Extremadura<\/a>), with additional contributions from Andalusia (Junta de Andaluc\u00eda<\/a>). They were then quarantined at the wildlife rescue centre AMUS<\/a> and transferred to Bulgaria by the VCF. Some birds were also donated by the EAZA zoo network’s ex-situ breeding programme (EEP)<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Releasing birds is only part of the challenge. Conservation teams have worked extensively to reduce threats and improve survival conditions by insulating power lines, combating illegal poisoning, installing artificial nests and maintaining feeding stations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \"\"
                  \u00a9 Green Balkans<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

                  A timeline of recovery<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                  Declared extinct as a breeding species in 1985, the Cinereous Vulture began its return only after years of preparation. A key breakthrough came in 2021, with the first fledged chick born in the wild since reintroduction began. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  Progress has steadily continued: <\/p>\n\n\n\n