Vultures face multiple threats worldwide that have put many species at risk of extinction. Understanding these threats is essential for effective conservation. Information, advocacy, and local and international targeted action focussing on those threats are crucial to protecting vultures worldwide. Unintentional poisoning with poison baits Poisoning wildlife, an illegal action all over the world, is […] The post A world of threats and how to mitigate them appeared first on Vulture Con...| Vulture Conservation Foundation
Massive wildfire caused a direct and significant impact on the recovery of the species in the Nature Park, dealing a severe blow to this protected area Two Cinereous Vulture nests from the small breeding colony in the Douro Internacional were completely destroyed by fire, while six others were damaged to varying degrees. The six Cinereous […] The post Several Cinereous Vulture nests burned in the Douro Internacional Nature Park, in northern Portugal appeared first on Vulture Conservation ...| Vulture Conservation Foundation
If you’re passionate about vultures and their conservation, Vulture News is a must-read. Published by the IUCN Vulture Specialist Group, this peer-reviewed journal has been a cornerstone of vulture science for decades, sharing the latest research, insights, and field observations from experts around the world. As Europe’s leading vulture conservation organisation, we at the Vulture […] The post Discover Vulture News: The voice of global Vulture Conservation & Research appeared first...| 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 […] The post LIFE Aegypius Return reaches milestone of 50 Cinereous Vultures fitted with GPS/GSM transmitters appeared first on Vulture Conservation Foundation.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
The Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) release season 2025 has come to a close — and it will be remembered as both a milestone and a test of resilience. While this year saw the historic first release in Bulgaria and continued progress in key reintroduction areas across Europe, it was also the most challenging season in […] The post Bearded Vulture release season 2025 recap appeared first on Vulture Conservation Foundation.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
Two more Hooded Vultures mass killing incidents shook The Gambia at the beginning of August. The authorities and the local community are taking actions to protect the local vulture population. The police arrested two suspects. Hooded Vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus) mass killings continue in The Gambia. Two more cases have been discovered in the last week, […] The post Vulture crisis in The Gambia: two suspects arrested but the killing continues appeared first on Vulture Conservation Fou...| Vulture Conservation Foundation
Bulgaria’s endangered Egyptian Vultures have faced another tragedy this year — the second poisoning incident of 2025 has claimed the life of a breeding female and set off a race to save her only chick. Another Egyptian Vulture suspected to be poisoned. In recent days, the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) noticed […]| Vulture Conservation Foundation
The countdown has officially begun. On Saturday, 6 September 2025, International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD) returns, bringing with it a global celebration of one of nature’s most vital and misunderstood birds. Every year, IVAD brings together wildlife enthusiasts, conservationists, schools, photographers and families from around the world to highlight the crucial role vultures play in […] The post International Vulture Awareness Day 2025 is 4 weeks away – Join the celebration! appeare...| Vulture Conservation Foundation
Griffon vultures have returned to the Gennargentu mountains in Sardinia. Recent sightings confirm what the GPS tracking recorded over the past months. The LIFE Safe for Vultures project marks another major milestone, thanks to the expansion of the supplementary feeding stations nework in central, south-east and south-west Sardinia. Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus) are once again […] The post Griffon Vultures return to the Gennargentu mountains as supplementary feeding stations network grows i...| Vulture Conservation Foundation
In July 2025, The Gambia became the centre of a conservation crisis as three devastating incidents claimed the lives of dozens of critically endangered Hooded Vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus). The Gambia is one of the last hotspots for this species, and these tragic events highlight the threats the species still faces at global level. In the […] The post Mass Hooded vulture mortality incidents in The Gambia in July: a devastating trend appeared first on Vulture Conservation Foundation.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
The Parc naturel régional du Vercors, one of the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) reintroduction sites, has seen another season filled with both promise and heartbreak. The wild population continues to grow, yet each success is fragile—highlighting why ongoing conservation efforts remain vital for the survival of the species. Wild breeding success: Two pairs, two chicks […] The post The Bearded Vultures of Vercors: A fragile season appeared first on Vulture Conservation Foundation.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
For the first time in four years, a Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) chick born in the wild in Corsica has spread its wings and taken to the skies. Earlier this year, four Bearded Vulture chicks hatched in the wild in Corsica — a hopeful start to the season. But as challenges mounted, only one chick […] The post A wild-hatched Bearded Vulture fledged in Corsica for the first time in four years appeared first on Vulture Conservation Foundation.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
Vultures know no borders, and conservation efforts should follow the same route. A male Cinereous Vultures, released in Bulgaria in May by the LIFE Rhodope Vulture programme, was recently rescued in Serbia, thanks to an international action. The unfortunate protagonist of this misadventure is an adult Cinereous Vulture (Aegypius monachus) male. His GPS transmitter signalled […] The post Cinereous vulture rescued in Serbia thanks to regional and international collaboration appeared first on ...| Vulture Conservation Foundation
Meet Oeil Rouge, the bold young Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) with a taste for adventure. Hatched at Richard Faust Zentrum in Austria and released in the Baronnies, France, in May 2024, Oeil Rouge (Red Eye) has proved he’s quite the explorer. His first year in the wild has been a mix of daring escapades, sticky […] The post The adventures of the Bearded Vulture “Oeil Rouge” appeared first on Vulture Conservation Foundation.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
Long before science highlighted vultures ecological importance, cultures around the world had already developed deep symbolic connections to these incredible raptors. From symbols of life and renewal to dark omens, vultures have played many roles in myth, religion, and rituals in human history. Vultures have long held a complex and fascinating place in human culture, […] The post More than scavengers: how vultures influenced cultures and religions appeared first on Vulture Conservation ...| Vulture Conservation Foundation
By 2048, vultures could contribute more than 18 million euros to the Portuguese economy. The first study quantifying the ecosystem services provided by vultures in Portugal has just been published. Conducted within the framework of the LIFE Aegypius Return project, the study analyses the benefits that three vulture species – Cinereous, Griffon and Egyptian vultures […]| Vulture Conservation Foundation
One instrument to monitor vultures’ movements, behaviour and overall condition: the GPS tracker. It is one of the most powerful tools used not only to monitor individuals, but to shape conservation actions. Let’s take a closer look at how the process works and why organisations like the Vulture Conservation Foundation have been investing so much […] The post Behind the scenes of GPS tracking in vultures conservation appeared first on Vulture Conservation Foundation.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
2025 marks the eighth year of consecutive Bearded Vultures releases in Maestrazgo, Spain. This year the team welcomed a male and female named Hades and Hera, respectively. The two recently made their first flight. For the eighth consecutive year, the Maestrazgo Reintroduction Project released young captive-bred Bearded Vultures (Gypaetus barbatus) in the Tinença de […] The post First flight for Hades and Hera: two young Bearded Vultures released in Maestrazgo this year appeared firs...| Vulture Conservation Foundation
For the first time in over a century, a Bearded Vulture hatched and fledged in the wild in Cantabria, Spain. The young bird, named Candela, marks a major milestone in the long-running effort to bring this iconic species back to the Picos de Europa. A century-long absence broken The Bearded Vulture that was absent from […] The post First wild-hatched Bearded Vulture takes flight in Cantabria after a century appeared first on Vulture Conservation Foundation.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
Italy’s rarest raptor nests on Capo Caccia (Sardinia) cliffs for the 7th year consecutively. An Egyptian Vulture pair spontaneously colonized Sardinia for the first time, breeding in Porto Conte Regional Park since 2019. An extremely rare event that rewards years of vultures conservation actions on the island. When a Egyptian Vultures (Neophron percnopterus) pair chose […] The post Egyptian Vulture pair chooses Sardinia to nest once again appeared first on Vulture Conservation Found...| Vulture Conservation Foundation
A Rüppell’s vulture, monitored by GREFA, was found dead in southern Portugal. The circumstances are still under investigation.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
Bearded Vulture LIFE aims to establish a new Bearded Vulture population in Bulgaria and strengthen the Cinereous Vulture population.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
After many years of tireless efforts, the Green Balkans breeding unit in Bulgaria has now two thriving pairs and in December 2024 it received its long-awaited third Bearded Vulture pair.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
VULTURES BACK TO LIFE A Bright Future for the Cinereous Vulture – The historic reintroduction of Europe’s largest vulture to Bulgaria aaaaaaaaa Initiative period August 2015 to July 2022 Initiative area Bulgaria Target species Cinereous Vulture and Griffon Vulture The Vultures Back to LIFE conservation project aims to return the Cinereous Vulture to the skies […]| Vulture Conservation Foundation
CINEREOUS VULTURE CAPTIVE BREEDING Breeding Cinereous Vultures in captivity for conservation purposes © Antwerp ZOO / Jonas Verhulst The European Endangered Species Programme (EEP) is the most intensive type of population management for a species kept in the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) zoos. It is a captive-breeding programme that aims to conserve […]| 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
Illegal killing, poisoning, trafficking and other wildlife crimes are not only threatening biodiversity but also put public safety and health at risk. The Wildlife Crime Academy has been set up to strengthen Europe’s collective response to this type of crime. More than 100 professionals involved in combating environmental crime in 17 countries have already received […]| Vulture Conservation Foundation
The journey to restore Bearded Vultures to the skies of Bulgaria has always been one marked by ambition, dedication, and a clear understanding of the risks involved. Now, just weeks after the historic release of the country’s first three Bearded Vulture chicks into the wild, we are faced with the sobering reality that not every bird will make it through this critical adaptation phase.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
There’s a new vulture in town! Meet Univers, the latest Bearded Vulture (Gypeatus Barbatus) chick to join the wild cliffs of the Grands Causses as part of the LIFE GypAct project. On 10 June 2025, this young male made the journey from sunny Andalusia, Spain, to southern France—becoming the third and final release of the season in the region.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
The Egyptian Vulture Gabriel flies back to Italy where he was released in 2021, covering more than 10,000 km and nine countries.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
Bearded Vulture to Andalusia Bringing the Bearded Vulture back to Andalusia through reintroduction Encina © Álvaro Peral Bearded Vultures disappeared from the skies of Andalusia in 1986 due to various threats including direct persecution, illegal wildlife poisoning and human disturbance of the nesting sites. The Junta de Andalucía teamed up with the former Fundación Gypaetus, […]| Vulture Conservation Foundation
The dream to restore the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) to its former distribution grounds in Spain and Europe is one step closer to becoming a reality with the expansion of the Andalusian reintroduction project to the Sierra Nevada National Park.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
The Bearded Vulture reintroduction project in Andalusia has reached a historic milestone: for the first time, 11 breeding pairs have been recorded in the region! This new record marks a significant step forward in the reintroduction and recovery efforts of the species.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
Esperanza, the first Bearded Vulture wild-hatched chick in Andalusia since the reintroduction programme, built her first nest.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
On the rugged cliffs of the Sierra Nevada, three young Bearded Vultures—Poqueira, Polarda, and Aznaitín—stretch their wings in the Andalusian sun. Recently released into the wild, these three females mark a significant milestone—the 29th year since the Bearded Vulture reintroduction programme in Andalusia started. Their names, chosen from iconic natural landmarks in Granada, Almería and Jaén, reflect a deepening connection between the species and the Andalusian landscape—a bond bu...| Vulture Conservation Foundation
The Bearded Vulture is Europe's most endangered vulture species. Learn about its status, features, distribution and behaviour.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
BEARDED VULTURE CAPTIVE BREEDING Breeding Bearded Vultures in captivity to reintroduce or restock wild populations The Vulture Conservation Foundation currently coordinates the Bearded Vulture captive breeding network on behalf of EAZA’s European Endangered Species Programme (Bearded Vulture EEP), which consists of a network of zoos, private collections and specialised breeding centres that breed Bearded Vultures […]| Vulture Conservation Foundation
Among the many remarkable Bearded Vulture pairs in our captive-breeding network, one couple stands out—not just for their experience, but for their unwavering bond: Joseph and Marie Antoinette. Their story is one of resilience, tenderness, and defying the odds, unfolding within the walls of the Vallcalent Specialized Breeding Centre in Spain.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
This year marks the thirteenth consecutive year of Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) reintroduction in the Grands Causses region of southern France.On 27 May 2025, two young vultures took their first steps into the wild, released as part of the ongoing LIFE GypAct project.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
On May 17, 2025, the ancient Tuida Fortress in Sliven bore witness to a historic moment for Bulgarian biodiversity: the first-ever release of Bearded Vultures into the wild in Bulgaria. This long-awaited milestone marked the species’ symbolic and physical return to the Bulgarian skies, more than five decades after their disappearance. The event, held as part of the Bearded Vulture LIFE project, was the result of tireless conservation efforts spanning nearly 30 years.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
This year, as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Specialised Bearded Vulture Breeding Unit at Vallcalent, we’re taking a moment to honour the extraordinary birds—and the dedicated caretakers—who make this pioneering centre what it is. Few stories better capture the spirit of resilience and hope than that of Secundino and Torla, two Pyrenean Bearded Vultures (Gypeatus Barbatus) who defied the odds to become parents.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
The Vulture Conservation Foundation is the leading NGO solely dedicated to protecting, conserving and restoring Europe’s vulture species.| Vulture Conservation Foundation
WildLIFE Crime Academy A global initiative focused on improving law enforcement, international collaboration, and capacity-building to combat wildlife crime effectively Initiative period 2024-2028 Initiative area Europe, the Caucasus, and North Africa Target issues Illegal killing, Trapping, Poisoning, Poaching, and Trafficking of wildlife Target species Cinereous Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Bearded Vulture Wildlife crime is […]| Vulture Conservation Foundation
BALKAN ANTI-POISONING PROJECT Working together across the Balkan Peninsula to tackle illegal wildlife poisoning Initiative period 2018-2020 Initiative area Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, North Macedonia and Serbia Target species Cinereous Vulture, Egyptian Vulture Griffon Vulture The Balkan Anti-Poisoning Project (BAPP) is a cross-border initiative bringing together wildlife conservation organisations, governmental agencies, universities and […]| Vulture Conservation Foundation
