Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Europe's largest vulture returns to Bulgaria's Eastern Rhodopes

Black Vulture
Photo: Green Balkans Wildlife Rescue Centre

Black Vultures, the largest and heaviest birds of prey in Europe, have returned to the Eastern Rhodopes after 14 birds were released from Spain at the end of last week, reports BNR Kardzhali. A team from the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds, the Spanish NGO GREFA and the Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation released the first flock of vultures in the Eastern Rhodopes as part of a recovery program in the Bulgarian section of the mountain. After 6 months of adaptation in a specially built aviary between the towns of Madzharovo and Ivaylovgrad, the black vultures were released. The ecologists monitor them closely to make sure that their adaptation is going smoothly.

The plan is to release 6-10 individuals per year in the coming years. If a colony of Black Vultures is established in Bulgaria, this will contribute to the survival of the species in the Balkans. They are expected to establish contacts with the last surviving local colony of about 25-30 pairs in the Greek part of the Rhodope Mountains, as well as with newly formed colonies of the species in the Balkan Mountains.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Bulgaria's rating among the free countries in the world is deteriorating: Freedom House

The situation with freedom in the world is deteriorating, and authoritarianism is increasing, according to the annual ranking of the non-governmental organization "Freedom House" , which monitors the state of democracy around the world. The countries..

published on 2/26/25 12:23 PM

Ukrainians in Plovdiv region have 6 points for re-registration as temporarily displaced persons

Ukrainian citizens living in the region of Plovdiv will be able to renew their documents for temporary protection in Bulgaria at six points in Plovdiv, the Plovdiv Regional Police Directorate announced. The Bulgarian government has extended the..

published on 2/26/25 12:08 PM
Protest for preserving the Bulgarian lev in front of the building of the National Assembly, 26 Feb 2025

Protest against the adoption of the euro is taking place in central Sofia

A protest against the adoption of the euro is taking place between the buildings of the Bulgarian Parliament and the Bulgarian National Bank in central Sofia. "The lev is a symbol of independence," "We do not want the euro," "People's Court for the..

published on 2/26/25 11:46 AM