{"id":40734,"date":"2025-09-15T13:50:44","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T10:50:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/?p=40734"},"modified":"2025-09-15T16:53:42","modified_gmt":"2025-09-15T13:53:42","slug":"strategic-cinereous-vulture-colony-in-southern-portugal-under-serious-threat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/pt\/blog\/strategic-cinereous-vulture-colony-in-southern-portugal-under-serious-threat\/","title":{"rendered":"Strategic Cinereous Vulture colony in southern Portugal under serious threat\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In June 2024, the fifth breeding colony of the Cinereous Vulture was discovered in Portugal, in the Serra do Mendro (Vidigueira\/Portel). Despite its recent establishment and although it is strategic for the species\u2019 recovery in the country, the colony is already facing several threats that undermine its viability. The LIFE Aegypius Return project warns of the urgent need for protective measures.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Serra-do-Mendro-\u00a9-VCF--1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Serra do Mendro \u00a9 VCF\" class=\"wp-image-40735\" style=\"width:1002px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Serra-do-Mendro-\u00a9-VCF--1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Serra-do-Mendro-\u00a9-VCF--300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Serra-do-Mendro-\u00a9-VCF--768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Serra-do-Mendro-\u00a9-VCF--1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Serra-do-Mendro-\u00a9-VCF--2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Serra-do-Mendro-\u00a9-VCF--18x10.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Serra do Mendro \u00a9 VCF<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Chronicle of a colony at risk&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of monitoring work on Golden Eagles (<em>Aquila chrysaetos<\/em>), technicians from the Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/pt\/blog\/new-cinereous-vulture-breeding-colony-discovered-in-portugal\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">detected<\/a> a Cinereous Vulture (<em>Aegypius monachus<\/em>) nest at Herdade do Monte da Ribeira, in the municipality of Vidigueira, southern Portugal. It was June 2024, and, given the advanced stage of the breeding season, close monitoring was not possible in order to avoid disturbing the birds. Nevertheless, five nests were confirmed, with successful reproduction in at least one of them. The resulting chick, a male, was <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/pt\/blog\/reinforced-monitoring-for-the-newest-cinereous-vulture-colony-in-portugal\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tagged with a GPS\/GSM transmitter<\/a> and named <em>Pousio<\/em>. The colony, located in Serra do Mendro, included nests both in the municipalities of Vidigueira and, further north, Portel.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During the 2025 breeding season, this fifth Cinerous Vulture colony in Portugal benefited from more detailed monitoring. Technicians from the League for the Protection of Nature (LPN) &#8211; partners in the LIFE Aegypius Return project &#8211; supported the ICNF in monitoring all the breeding parameters. Survey work was further reinforced by the involvement of the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA), also a project partner. In total, 10 Cinereous Vulture nests were recorded, eight of them occupied by active pairs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From June onwards, in coordination with the LIFE Aegypius Return project, further areas from Serra do Mendro were monitored by environmental consultants within the scope of the Environmental Impact Assessment of the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/siaia.apambiente.pt\/AIA1.aspx?ID=3799\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Grande Lago Hybrid Power Plant<\/a>. This work led to the detection of four additional breeding pairs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At present, the Vidigueira\/Portel colony includes 14 known nests, 12 with nesting pairs. As far as it was possible to determine, seven pairs incubated during the 2025 season, resulting in three to four chicks. Of these, two survived: the female <em>Vidigueira<\/em> and the male <em>Farrobo<\/em>, both <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/pt\/blog\/life-aegypius-return-reaches-milestone-of-50-cinereous-vultures-fitted-with-gps-gsm-transmitters\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fitted with GPS\/GSM transmitters<\/a> and under continuous monitoring.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"771\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"40736\" src=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Tagging-the-Cinerous-Vulture-chick-Vidigueira-\u00a9Carlos-Pacheco-\u00a9LPN--771x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Tagging the Cinerous Vulture chick Vidigueira \u00a9Carlos Pacheco; \u00a9LPN\" class=\"wp-image-40736\" srcset=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Tagging-the-Cinerous-Vulture-chick-Vidigueira-\u00a9Carlos-Pacheco-\u00a9LPN--771x1024.jpg 771w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Tagging-the-Cinerous-Vulture-chick-Vidigueira-\u00a9Carlos-Pacheco-\u00a9LPN--226x300.jpg 226w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Tagging-the-Cinerous-Vulture-chick-Vidigueira-\u00a9Carlos-Pacheco-\u00a9LPN--768x1021.jpg 768w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Tagging-the-Cinerous-Vulture-chick-Vidigueira-\u00a9Carlos-Pacheco-\u00a9LPN--1156x1536.jpg 1156w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Tagging-the-Cinerous-Vulture-chick-Vidigueira-\u00a9Carlos-Pacheco-\u00a9LPN--9x12.jpg 9w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Tagging-the-Cinerous-Vulture-chick-Vidigueira-\u00a9Carlos-Pacheco-\u00a9LPN-.jpg 1204w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 771px) 100vw, 771px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" data-id=\"40737\" src=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Tagging-the-Cinerous-Vulture-chick-Vidigueira-\u00a9Carlos-Pacheco-\u00a9-LPN--1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"Tagging the Cinerous Vulture chick Vidigueira \u00a9Carlos Pacheco; \u00a9LPN\" class=\"wp-image-40737\" srcset=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Tagging-the-Cinerous-Vulture-chick-Vidigueira-\u00a9Carlos-Pacheco-\u00a9-LPN--1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Tagging-the-Cinerous-Vulture-chick-Vidigueira-\u00a9Carlos-Pacheco-\u00a9-LPN--300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Tagging-the-Cinerous-Vulture-chick-Vidigueira-\u00a9Carlos-Pacheco-\u00a9-LPN--768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Tagging-the-Cinerous-Vulture-chick-Vidigueira-\u00a9Carlos-Pacheco-\u00a9-LPN--1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Tagging-the-Cinerous-Vulture-chick-Vidigueira-\u00a9Carlos-Pacheco-\u00a9-LPN--16x12.jpg 16w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Tagging-the-Cinerous-Vulture-chick-Vidigueira-\u00a9Carlos-Pacheco-\u00a9-LPN-.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Tagging the Cinerous Vulture chick Vidigueira \u00a9 Carlos Pacheco; \u00a9 LPN<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Strategic colony for the conservation of the Cinereous Vulture&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Data show that the Vidigueira\/Portel colony is expanding and represents a breeding nucleus of strategic importance for the conservation of the Cinereous Vulture in Portugal, particularly in the south of the country. It is the westernmost colony known for the species and the only colony in Portugal located away from the Spanish border, about 60 km from the nearest colony, at Herdade da Contenda.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Given the high level of philopatry (tendency to return to the birthplace) characteristic of the species, the establishment of new colonies far from existing ones is a rare phenomenon and may take several decades. Therefore, the survival and growth of the Vidigueira\/Portel colony are absolutely crucial to consolidating the population in southern Portugal, strengthening connectivity between breeding nuclei, and fostering the recolonisation of the species\u2019 historical range.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Suitable-habitat-for-Cinerous-Vulture-nesting-in-the-Serra-do-Mendro-\u00a9-VCF--1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Suitable habitat for Cinereous Vulture nesting in the Serra do Mendro \u00a9 VCF\" class=\"wp-image-40738\" srcset=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Suitable-habitat-for-Cinerous-Vulture-nesting-in-the-Serra-do-Mendro-\u00a9-VCF--1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Suitable-habitat-for-Cinerous-Vulture-nesting-in-the-Serra-do-Mendro-\u00a9-VCF--300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Suitable-habitat-for-Cinerous-Vulture-nesting-in-the-Serra-do-Mendro-\u00a9-VCF--768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Suitable-habitat-for-Cinerous-Vulture-nesting-in-the-Serra-do-Mendro-\u00a9-VCF--1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Suitable-habitat-for-Cinerous-Vulture-nesting-in-the-Serra-do-Mendro-\u00a9-VCF--2048x1152.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Suitable-habitat-for-Cinerous-Vulture-nesting-in-the-Serra-do-Mendro-\u00a9-VCF--18x10.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Suitable habitat for Cinereous Vulture nesting in the Serra do Mendro \u00a9 VCF<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Main threat factors&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Serra do Mendro, due to its location near the Alqueva dam and the existing infrastructure associated with renewable energy production, is under strong pressure.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Several energy production and transmission projects were planned before the presence of the Cinerous Vulture in the region was known. Examples include the Grande Lago Hybrid Plant, the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/participa.pt\/pt\/consulta\/pda-projeto-hibrido-de-pinel\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pinel Hybrid Project<\/a>, the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/participa.pt\/pt\/consulta\/central-solar-fotovoltaica-alqueva-reformulacao-projeto\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alqueva Solar Photovoltaic Plant,<\/a> the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/participa.pt\/pt\/consulta\/central-fotovoltaica-da-sobreira-de-baixo\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sobreira de Baixo Photovoltaic Plant<\/a>, the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/participa.pt\/pt\/consulta\/reformulacao-do-projeto-linha-eletrica-alqueva-divor-a-400-kv\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alqueva &#8211; Divor Power Line<\/a> and the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/diariodarepublica.pt\/dr\/detalhe\/edito\/374-2025-928162986\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Vidigueira &#8211; Portel Sul Power Line<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Without urgent protection measures, the number and scale of these projects become incompatible with the survival of the Cinereous Vulture colony and with the conservation of other large bird species.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Cinereous Vulture requires extensive feeding areas and very quiet breeding sites; otherwise, it won&#8217;t be able to reproduce. It is also very sensitive to <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0006320716300131\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">collisions with wind turbines<\/a> and power lines, as well as <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/pt\/blog\/reintroduced-cinereous-vulture-extremadura-killed-by-electrocution-in-bulgaria\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">electrocution<\/a> on medium-voltage power lines. Vulnerability is particularly high among juveniles when they explore their home territory with little flight experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"400\" data-id=\"40739\" src=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vulture-killed-by-electrocution-in-Bulgaria-\u00a9Lachezar-BonchevFWFF-.png\" alt=\"Cinereous Vulture killed by electrocution in Bulgaria \u00a9Lachezar Bonchev:FWFF\" class=\"wp-image-40739\" srcset=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vulture-killed-by-electrocution-in-Bulgaria-\u00a9Lachezar-BonchevFWFF-.png 300w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vulture-killed-by-electrocution-in-Bulgaria-\u00a9Lachezar-BonchevFWFF--225x300.png 225w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vulture-killed-by-electrocution-in-Bulgaria-\u00a9Lachezar-BonchevFWFF--9x12.png 9w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"299\" height=\"400\" data-id=\"40740\" src=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vulture-killed-by-electrocution-in-Bulgaria-\u00a9-Lachezar-BonchevFWFF.png\" alt=\"Cinereous Vulture killed by electrocution in Bulgaria \u00a9 Lachezar Bonchev:FWFF\" class=\"wp-image-40740\" srcset=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vulture-killed-by-electrocution-in-Bulgaria-\u00a9-Lachezar-BonchevFWFF.png 299w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vulture-killed-by-electrocution-in-Bulgaria-\u00a9-Lachezar-BonchevFWFF-224x300.png 224w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vulture-killed-by-electrocution-in-Bulgaria-\u00a9-Lachezar-BonchevFWFF-9x12.png 9w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 299px) 100vw, 299px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Cinereous Vulture killed by electrocution in Bulgaria \u00a9 Lachezar Bonchev\/ FWFF<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;A <a href=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/SpatialGuidelines-ProtectionCV-Windfarms.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">estudo<\/a> recently published by the Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF) as part of the LIFE Aegypius Return project showed that in order to protect the core area (i.e. the area where each individual spends about half its time) of 50% of juveniles, wind turbines must be located at least 7.7 km away from the nests. Some of the turbines planned for the Serra do Mendro are situated only about 2 km from the nearest nests, which, if maintained, would lead to a high mortality rate and jeopardise all conservation efforts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"40742\" src=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vultures-killed-by-collision-with-wind-turbines-in-Greece-\u00a9Society-for-the-Protection-of-Biodiversity-of-Thrace-\u00a9Stavros-Tsiantikoudis-NECCA.jpeg\" alt=\"Cinereous Vultures killed by collision with wind turbines in Greece \u00a9Society for the Protection of Biodiversity of Thrace; \u00a9 Stavros Tsiantikoudis: NECCA\" class=\"wp-image-40742\" srcset=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vultures-killed-by-collision-with-wind-turbines-in-Greece-\u00a9Society-for-the-Protection-of-Biodiversity-of-Thrace-\u00a9Stavros-Tsiantikoudis-NECCA.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vultures-killed-by-collision-with-wind-turbines-in-Greece-\u00a9Society-for-the-Protection-of-Biodiversity-of-Thrace-\u00a9Stavros-Tsiantikoudis-NECCA-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vultures-killed-by-collision-with-wind-turbines-in-Greece-\u00a9Society-for-the-Protection-of-Biodiversity-of-Thrace-\u00a9Stavros-Tsiantikoudis-NECCA-9x12.jpeg 9w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"40741\" src=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vultures-killed-by-collision-with-wind-turbines-in-Greece-\u00a9Society-for-the-Protection-of-Biodiversity-of-Thrace-\u00a9Stavros-Tsiantikoudis-NECCA--768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-40741\" srcset=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vultures-killed-by-collision-with-wind-turbines-in-Greece-\u00a9Society-for-the-Protection-of-Biodiversity-of-Thrace-\u00a9Stavros-Tsiantikoudis-NECCA--768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vultures-killed-by-collision-with-wind-turbines-in-Greece-\u00a9Society-for-the-Protection-of-Biodiversity-of-Thrace-\u00a9Stavros-Tsiantikoudis-NECCA--225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vultures-killed-by-collision-with-wind-turbines-in-Greece-\u00a9Society-for-the-Protection-of-Biodiversity-of-Thrace-\u00a9Stavros-Tsiantikoudis-NECCA--9x12.jpeg 9w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vultures-killed-by-collision-with-wind-turbines-in-Greece-\u00a9Society-for-the-Protection-of-Biodiversity-of-Thrace-\u00a9Stavros-Tsiantikoudis-NECCA-.jpeg 1152w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"http:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vultures-killed-by-collision-with-wind-turbines-in-Greece-\u00a9Society-for-the-Protection-of-Biodiversity-of-Thrace-\u00a9-Stavros-Tsiantikoudis-NECCA--1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Cinereous Vultures killed by collision with wind turbines in Greece \u00a9Society for the Protection of Biodiversity of Thrace; \u00a9 Stavros Tsiantikoudis: NECCA\" class=\"wp-image-40743\" srcset=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vultures-killed-by-collision-with-wind-turbines-in-Greece-\u00a9Society-for-the-Protection-of-Biodiversity-of-Thrace-\u00a9-Stavros-Tsiantikoudis-NECCA--1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vultures-killed-by-collision-with-wind-turbines-in-Greece-\u00a9Society-for-the-Protection-of-Biodiversity-of-Thrace-\u00a9-Stavros-Tsiantikoudis-NECCA--300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vultures-killed-by-collision-with-wind-turbines-in-Greece-\u00a9Society-for-the-Protection-of-Biodiversity-of-Thrace-\u00a9-Stavros-Tsiantikoudis-NECCA--768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vultures-killed-by-collision-with-wind-turbines-in-Greece-\u00a9Society-for-the-Protection-of-Biodiversity-of-Thrace-\u00a9-Stavros-Tsiantikoudis-NECCA--18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Cinereous-Vultures-killed-by-collision-with-wind-turbines-in-Greece-\u00a9Society-for-the-Protection-of-Biodiversity-of-Thrace-\u00a9-Stavros-Tsiantikoudis-NECCA-.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cinereous Vultures killed by collision with wind turbines in Greece \u00a9Society for the Protection of Biodiversity of Thrace; \u00a9 Stavros Tsiantikoudis: NECCA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to pressure from energy projects, this colony faces the usual threats that affect Cinerous Vultures, such as poisoning or direct persecution. Remember <em>Pousio<\/em>, the 2024 chick that was <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/pt\/blog\/shooting-threatens-the-recovery-of-the-cinereous-vulture-in-portugal-three-recently-shot-birds-spark-unified-condemnation\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">shot<\/a> and is still recovering at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre of the University of Tr\u00e1s-os-Montes and Alto Douro (<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/crashvutad\/?locale=pt_PT\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CRAS HV-UTAD<\/a>).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Urgent measures needed&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Within the framework of the LIFE Aegypius Return project, the partners have been actively collaborating with authorities, promoters and consultants, both through technical meetings and by issuing detailed opinions on the evolution of the species in the region and the potential risks identified. The project seeks to ensure that biodiversity conservation, and in particular that of the Cinereous Vulture, is properly integrated into decision-making processes, with the aim of minimising conflicts and reducing threat factors, aligning the energy transition with environmental protection.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nevertheless, the growing pressure on the natural values of Vidigueira\/Portel calls for stronger protection measures, including specific legal instruments. The LIFE Aegypius Return partners will do their utmost to ensure that the Serra do Mendro is classified at the national level and\/or under the Birds Directive, in an attempt to reduce the threats affecting the Cinereous Vulture and other legally protected species that breed there.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The consortium, led by the VCF, has expressed its willingness to explore technical solutions to reconcile conservation with the various renewable energy projects, but maintains a firm position: wind turbines must be installed at a minimum safe distance from the nests (not less than 7.7 km). There are solutions to mitigate factors such as the loss of feeding habitat due to photovoltaic projects, the potential disturbance of nests caused by the construction of infrastructure, or the risk of collision and electrocution on power lines. However, increasing mortality risks from wind turbines located in the immediate vicinity of this colony would inevitably compromise its viability, its potential for growth, and the future recolonisation of other areas in southern Portugal.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About LIFE Aegypius Return<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"205\" src=\"http:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/LAR-LIFE-Aegypius-Return-LIFE-Natura-2000-logo-1024x205.png\" alt=\"LAR LIFE Aegypius Return LIFE Natura 2000 logo\" class=\"wp-image-27531\" srcset=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/LAR-LIFE-Aegypius-Return-LIFE-Natura-2000-logo-1024x205.png 1024w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/LAR-LIFE-Aegypius-Return-LIFE-Natura-2000-logo-300x60.png 300w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/LAR-LIFE-Aegypius-Return-LIFE-Natura-2000-logo-768x154.png 768w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/LAR-LIFE-Aegypius-Return-LIFE-Natura-2000-logo-1536x307.png 1536w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/LAR-LIFE-Aegypius-Return-LIFE-Natura-2000-logo-2048x410.png 2048w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/LAR-LIFE-Aegypius-Return-LIFE-Natura-2000-logo-18x4.png 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>O projeto LIFE Aegypius Return \u00e9 cofinanciado pelo&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/cinea.ec.europa.eu\/programmes\/life_en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">programa LIFE da Uni\u00e3o Europeia.<\/a>O seu sucesso depende do envolvimento de todos os stakeholders relevantes, e da colabora\u00e7\u00e3o dos parceiros: a&nbsp;<em>stakeholders<\/em>, and the collaboration of the partners: the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/pt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF)<\/a>benefici\u00e1rio coordenador, e os parceiros locais&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.palombar.pt\/pt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Palombar \u2013 Conserva\u00e7\u00e3o da Natureza e do Patrim\u00f3nio Rural<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.herdadedacontenda.pt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Herdade da Contenda<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.spea.pt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sociedade Portuguesa para o Estudo das Aves<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lpn.pt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Liga para a Protec\u00e7\u00e3o da Natureza<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/atnatureza\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Associa\u00e7\u00e3o Transum\u00e2ncia e Natureza<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/fnyh.org\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Fundaci\u00f3n Naturaleza y Hombre<\/a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gnr.pt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Guarda Nacional Republicana<\/a>&nbsp;e&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/anpc.pt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Associa\u00e7\u00e3o Nacional de Propriet\u00e1rios Rurais Gest\u00e3o Cineg\u00e9tica e Biodiversidade<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"241\" src=\"http:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/logos-partners-1024x241.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-39381\" srcset=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/logos-partners-1024x241.png 1024w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/logos-partners-300x70.png 300w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/logos-partners-768x180.png 768w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/logos-partners-18x4.png 18w, https:\/\/4vultures.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/logos-partners.png 1098w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In June 2024, the fifth breeding colony of the Cinereous Vulture was discovered in Portugal, in the Serra do Mendro (Vidigueira\/Portel). Despite its recent establishment and although it is strategic for the species\u2019 recovery in the country, the colony is already facing several threats that undermine its viability. The LIFE Aegypius Return project warns of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":40736,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[14,167,50],"class_list":["post-40734","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-cinereousvulture","tag-lifeaegypiusreturn","tag-tacklingthreats"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Strategic Cinereous Vulture colony in southern Portugal under serious threat\u00a0 - Vulture Conservation Foundation<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/4vultures.org\/pt\/blog\/strategic-cinereous-vulture-colony-in-southern-portugal-under-serious-threat\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"pt_PT\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Strategic Cinereous Vulture colony in southern Portugal under serious threat\u00a0 - Vulture Conservation Foundation\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In June 2024, the fifth breeding colony of the Cinereous Vulture was discovered in Portugal, in the Serra do Mendro (Vidigueira\/Portel). Despite its recent establishment and although it is strategic for the species\u2019 recovery in the country, the colony is already facing several threats that undermine its viability. 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