site.bta Bearded Vultures to Be Released in Bulgaria for First Time under Reintroduction Programme

Bearded vultures will be released in Bulgaria for the first time under a programme for the species' reintroduction in the country, the Green Balkans environmental organization reported. An international commission has chosen Sinite Kamani Nature Park near Sliven (Southeastern Bulgaria) as the first reintroduction site, following visits to various potential reintroduction areas in the Balkan Range.

Between October 14 and 18, Bulgaria was visited by representatives of Vulture Conservation Foundation, who were accompanied by representatives of its Bulgarian partners: Green Balkans, the Fund For Wild Flora and Fauna, and EkoObshtnost Foundation. The Commission visited the Kotlenska Mountain protected area, the Sinite Kamani Nature Park, the Vrachanski Balkan Nature Park, and other areas to determine which is the most appropriate for the release of the first bearded vultures under the programme for the species' reintroduction in the country.  They took various factors into account, such as the presence of threats, habitats in the area, accessibility to certain sites, the presence of expert and human resources in the area to release the birds. Following discussions, the team of experts chose to start the release of bearded vultures in Bulgaria from Sinite Kamani Nature Park.

It was within Sinite Kamani that the last bearded vulture was found shot in May 1972. Since then, the bearded vulture has been considered extinct from Bulgaria as a nesting species. Its extinction is attributed to the direct and indirect persecution by humans, mainly the use of poison baits, shooting and trapping.

The first three birds will be released Sinite Kamani in 2025 under the supervision of the team of Green Balkans, the Fund for Wild Flora and Fauna, and the nature park's directorate.

The project to reintroduce the bearded vulture in Bulgaria and the Balkans was launched on August 1, 2024. It will be implemented in the course of seven years with over EUR 5 million in funding, of which EUR 3,880,000 will be provided by the EU. Activities under the project include: installation of artificial nesting platforms for cinereous vultures; support for local animal breeders; reintroduction of the wild goat in the Sinite Kamani Nature Park; strengthening of the populations of the rock partridge, the European ground squirrel, and the tortoise in key areas for the project; securing electric poles to reduce cases of electrocution; actions to prevent and uncover crimes against nature, such as the use of poison traps and shooting of animals; and popularization of vultures and the threats to them. To monitor the result of the reintroduction, birds will be equipped with satellite transmitters and an effective network of local supporters will be created to rescue vultures in distress in Bulgaria and neighbouring countries.