Largest-ever Cinereous Vulture translocation takes place

Some 22 Cinereous Vultures rescued and rehabilitated in Extremadura, Spain, have been transported to Bulgaria as part of a reintroduction scheme – the largest-ever translocation of its kind.

Every year, several Cinereous Vultures that hatch in the wild in Extremadura need rescuing after suffering from malnutrition and weakness. These young and inexperienced birds get a second chance at life as they are retrieved and transferred to the wildlife rehabilitation centre of Los Hornos, where the dedicated team nurses them back to health for their eventual release into the wild. 

One of the Cinereous Vultures ahead of its transportation from Spain to Bulgaria (Bruno Berthemy).

For the past few years, the Junta de Extremadura has been donating several recovered Cinereous Vultures to the Vultures Back to LIFE project, which aims to reintroduce the species in Bulgaria. This year they donated an additional 22 individuals, bringing the total to 59 Spanish Cinereous Vultures secured for this project.

After the birds made a recovery, they entered the wildlife rehabilitation centre AMUS that has specialized facilities to spend a pre-transport quarantine period and undergo some further tests.

Bt Monday [1 March], the vultures were ready for the transport, which was coordinated and organized by the Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF). They left Extremadura heading to Bulgaria by land in a vehicle suited for their comfort and safety. They will travel 4,000 km, passing through France, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary and Romania, before arriving at their destination. 

Once they arrive, the project team will re-examine their health and place them in acclimatisation aviaries to get used to their new home before the Green Balkans and Fund for Wild Flora and Fauna release them into the wild in the coming months.