site.btaAfter Long Wait, Only Pair of Bearded Vultures in Bulgaria Form Couple

NW 12:36:02 29-01-2015
SN1235NW.105
105 ENVIRONMENT-BEARDED VULTURE-PAIRING

After Long Wait, Only Pair of Bearded Vultures
in Bulgaria Form
Couple


Sofia, January 29 (BTA) - The only two bearded vultures in
Bulgaria have formed a couple, after reaching maturity which for
the species is eight years of age, sources from the Green
Balkans environmental organizations which manages a rescue
centre for wild animals in Stara Zagora, Southern Bulgaria,
said.

The magnificent species became extinct in Bulgaria in the 1960s,
mainly due to illegal hunting and poisoning. The experts work
hard to reinstate the bearded vulture, using the experience of
their colleagues in the Alps and the Pyrenees where birds
hatched in prey were used. The two young birds were placed in
the Stara Zagora centre back in 2008.

The bearded vultures are very picky and particular about their
mates and the pairing of the two in the centre is seen as a huge
success.

The female bird is of "mixed" origin - a quarter Greek (from the
bearded vulture population on the Crete Island), and
three-quarters Asian, while the male is 100 per cent Asian. A
total overhaul was made of the aviary where the bearded vultures
live last year, and this year the two couple have been busy
making their nest cosy. VI /ZH/

/СН/