The soft release programme in LIFE Aegypius Return brings hope for the recovery of the Portugal’s most fragile colony. Six Cinereous Vultures (Aegypius monachus) were returned to the wild on 24 October in the Douro International Nature Park (PNDI). These birds, which had been rescued from the wild in a weak situation and rehabilitated, were […] The post Six Cinereous Vultures (soft) released back to the wild in Douro Internacional appeared first on Vulture Conservation Foundation.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
The NGO Palombar was distinguished with the “Douro + Sustainable” 2025 Award, in the “Revelation” category, for its exemplary work in the recovery and conservation of the Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) in the Douro Internacional region (northern Portugal), carried out under the LIFE Aegypius Return project. An award for the sustainability of Douro’s heritage The […] The post Cinereous Vultures conservation work in Douro Internacional (Portugal) honoured with the “Dour...| Vulture Conservation Foundation
In another milestone for the species’ recovery, the 2025 breeding season for Cinereous Vultures in Bulgaria was exceptionally successful. Out of 15 territorial pairs, 10 laid eggs, 8 chicks hatched, and 5 chicks survived to fledging — marking continued progress for the species that only a few years ago was absent from the country.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
A weakened Cinereous Vulture was discovered by a roadside in Italy and, after a challenging rescue, was rehabilitated at a local wildlife center. The bird, traced back to Spain and a rare sight in Italy, was released with a GPS tag but sadly died soon after release, after having returned all the way to… Spain. […] The post When conservation action crosses borders: a Cinereous Vulture rescue across Italy and Spain appeared first on Vulture Conservation Foundation.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
The efforts to understand and protect Cinereous Vultures (Aegypius monachus) in Central Asia continue this year in 2025, with exciting new developments in both Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. This year, young vultures were tagged with GPS/GSM transmitters provided by VCF to help track their movements, providing critical data for conservation. Kazakhstan: Tagging at Karatau Mountains and […] The post Tagging Cinereous Vultures in Central Asia: Collaboration continues appeared first on Vulture Con...| Vulture Conservation Foundation
The Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest National Park in Greece celebrates a record number of 27 Cinereous Vultures fledgling, with the population reaching its highest breeding numbers in three decades. The breeding success, two years after the wildlfire that almost destroyed the colony, stands as a testament to the past and ongoing conservation efforts in the area. Twenty-seven […] The post Dadia National Park celebrates record fledging numbers appeared first on Vulture Conservation Foundation.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
A long recovery required three rehabilitation centres and several veterinary interventions Firstborn vulture Pousio is the first known offspring of the most recent Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) colony in Portugal, discovered in June 2024 at Herdade do Monte da Ribeira (HMR), in Vidigueira, Southern Portugal. On 19 July of that year, it was ringed, fitted […] The post Pousio: gunshot Cinereous Vulture survived and is back in the skies of Serra do Mendro, Portugal appeared f...| Vulture Conservation Foundation
A Cinereous Vulture chick was rescued, recovered and returned to the wild in the Tejo Internacional Nature Park, Portugal. One nest among more than 220 The LIFE Aegypius Return project has been monitoring Cinereous Vulture colonies in Portugal in great detail since 2023. During each breeding season – which runs from January to September – […]| Vulture Conservation Foundation
On 20 September 2025, in the Omurtag area of Bulgaria, a Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) released under the Bearded Vulture LIFE reintroduction project in the Balkan Mountains was tragically shot. This individual was part of one of the three successful pairs that raised chicks this year in the Kotlenska Mountains — marking the most successful […] The post Breeding Cinereous Vulture shot in Bulgaria appeared first on Vulture Conservation Foundation.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
In a major breakthrough for bird conservation in Mallorca, a Cinereous Vulture nest has been confirmed outside the Serra de Tramuntana for the first time ever. The nest, found in the Llevant Peninsula Natural Park near Artà, belongs to a breeding pair and marks a big step forward for the species on the island. Joan […] The post First Cinereous Vulture nest found outside Mallorca’s Serra de Tramuntana appeared first on Vulture Conservation Foundation.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
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’ recovery in the country, the colony is already facing several threats that undermine its viability. The LIFE Aegypius Return project warns of […]| Vulture Conservation Foundation
The mortality rate of the monitored birds stands at 18% and is largely caused by human factors. The 2025 breeding season – the third closely monitored by the LIFE Aegypius Return project – is nearing its end. This year, nine Cinereous Vulture chicks were tagged in the nest, and the work was featured on national […]| Vulture Conservation Foundation
Eight Cinereous Vulture chicks were reared in Bulgaria this year. It is the highest number recorded since the species was reintroduced there.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
