Bearded Vulture to be reintroduced to Bulgaria and the Balkans

Bearded Vulture is to be reintroduced to Bulgaria and the Balkans as part of a new £5 million Euro programme.

The 'Life for the Bearded Vulture' project, which commenced on 1 August, aims to establish a Bearded Vulture population in Bulgaria and the Balkans, as well as strengthening the Bulgarian population of Cinereous Vulture.

The last confirmed breeding of Bearded Vulture in Bulgaria was in 1972 (Ron Marshall).

Among the conservation work will be the creation of nesting habitat for vultures and improving the food base, which will see the reintroduction of Balkan Chamois in the Sinite Kamani Nature Park and the strengthening of populations of species such as Rock Partridge and European Souslik.

The last confirmed breeding of Bearded Vulture in Bulgaria was in 1972.

The duration of the project is expected to be seven years, ending in July 2030. €3.8 million of the €5 million budget has been financed by the European Union.