{"id":40569,"date":"2025-08-15T13:56:55","date_gmt":"2025-08-15T10:56:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/?p=40569"},"modified":"2025-08-15T14:20:18","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T11:20:18","slug":"bearded-vulture-release-season-2025-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/pt\/blog\/bearded-vulture-release-season-2025-recap\/","title":{"rendered":"Bearded Vulture release season 2025 recap\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)<\/em> <\/a>release season 2025 has come to a close \u2014 and it will be remembered as both a milestone and a test of resilience. While this year saw the historic first release in Bulgaria<\/a> <\/strong>and continued progress in key reintroduction areas across Europe, it was also the most challenging season in years. The captive-breeding programme produced fewer chicks than in recent seasons, limiting the number of birds available for release and making each one even more precious. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite these constraints, the Bearded Vulture EEP network<\/a> and all our partners rose to the challenge. Together, we coordinated the release of 18 Bearded Vultures across Bulgaria, Germany, France, and Spain. These releases are managed by our local partners who take up the challenge of ensuring the monitoring and safe being of the birds at the release sites. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bearded Vulture Boev flying – Screenshot from video by Green Balkans<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bearded Vultures return to Bulgaria – May 17 <\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On 17 May, three males \u2014 Boev and LifeBG (both from Ostrava Zoo, Czech Republic) and Balkan (from Green Balkans Captive Breeding Centre, Bulgaria) \u2014 were released at Sinite Kamani Nature Park<\/a>, marking the species\u2019 return to Bulgaria after more than 50 years. The release was celebrated at the historic Tuida Fortress in Sliven with a day-long festival of conservation and culture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tragically, only weeks later the project faced setbacks: LifeBG died from a bacterial infection, and Balkan was brought back into care due to feather loss<\/a>. Luckily, Balkan has now recovered well, but it will need some more time to see if he will be able to fly properly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Boev, however, has already taken his first flights in the wild and is showing strong flying skills. After initially exploring the Sinite Kamani Nature Park and making short one- to two-day trips to nearby destinations such as Kotel, Yablyanovo, and Elena, he always returned to his release site. On August 6, Boev broadened his horizons, covering 120 kilometres in a single journey to the Central Balkan National Park, where he has been spending time in the company of other summering Griffon Vultures. He still seems to be enjoying his stay in this new area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bearded Vulture Boev flying – Screenshot from video by Green Balkans<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Recent travels of Boev (c) Green Balkans<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Two females released in Germany – May 27 <\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In Berchtesgaden National Park, Generl (from Ostrava Zoo, Czech Republic) and Luisa (from Richard Faust Centre, Austria) <\/a>became the ninth and tenth Bearded Vultures released since 2021. Both females were placed in a release niche in the Klausbach Valley, where they were under round-the-clock observation until becoming independent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generl surprised the monitoring team when, at just 107 days old \u2014 well ahead of the typical 120-day fledging age \u2014 she took her first flight, gliding confidently into the Bavarian Alps.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Generls first flight (c) LBV<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Luisa took a slower approach. She spent several weeks strengthening her wings and practicing on the ledge before finally launching into the air on 22 June. Her steep, impressive glide ended with a bumpy but safe landing in the meadow below. Project staff believe she was encouraged not only by Generl\u2019s earlier training flights but also by the presence of Nepomuk, a male Bearded Vulture released in 2023, who has been seen in the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Luisa (c) LBV<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Five Bearded Vultures started their new life in the wild in Southern France <\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Grands Causses \u2013  May 27 & June 20<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On 27 May, Ushuaia<\/em> (from Korkeasaari Zoo, Finland) and Ubac<\/em> (from Ostrava Zoo, Czech Republic) <\/a>were released in the Grands Causses. They were joined on June 10 by Univers<\/em> (Guadalent\u00edn, Spain)<\/a>. The trio adapted well to their new environment quickly, with Ubac being the first one to take flight in late June. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vercors \u2013 June 19<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On June 19, Spirale<\/em> (Tiergarten Nuremberg, Germany) and Troubadour<\/em> (Pairi Daiza, Belgium)<\/a> were released at Parc Naturel R\u00e9gional du Vercors. By early July, both had taken to the skies, quickly gaining confidence, regularly finding food, and honing their flying skills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Troubadour (c) Alain Herrault<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Spirale (c) Alain Herrault<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Six Bearded Vulture releases in Andalusia, Spain\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This year marked the 29th year of reintroductions in Andalusia. Two separate releases took place: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sierra Nevada \u2013 June 9<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three young females \u2014 Poqueira<\/strong> (Vallcalent, Spain), Polarda<\/strong> (Tierpark Berlin, Germany), and Aznait\u00edn<\/strong> (Richard Faust Centre, Austria)<\/a> \u2014 were released at 2,000 metres altitude near Monachil and D\u00edlar.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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