Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus)
The first griffon vulture nest for 50 years has been discovered in the Balkan Mountains – thanks to the reintroduction efforts of the 'Vultures Return in Bulgaria' EU LIFE project. This announcement made during LIFE's 20th anniversary celebrations – feted in EU countries throughout the month of May – provides yet more evidence of the positive impact of the LIFE programme.
The evidence of the return to nest of this endangered bird of prey (to an area where they haven't been seen for 50 years) also highlights the (early) positive results of the griffon conservation measures being carried out in Bulgaria by the project beneficiary, Green Balkans, with its partner the Fund for Wild Flora and Fauna.
Says project manager, Elena Kmetova: "I'm very happy and proud that we have discovered the very first griffon vulture nest in the Balkan Mountains for the past 50 years …This has been the main goal of the project [which runs until 2014] and it has already been reached at the third year! Considering the fact that there are more than 60 vultures already released and many more still to be released, we are looking forward to more success stories to come."
For more information on the project, which is also targeting the conservation of two other endangered large vulture species in Bulgaria, visit the project website.
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