Bulgaria’s Griffon Vulture population has returned to Vrachanski Balkan Nature Park after more than 60 years without breeding there. Between 2010 and 2020, conservationists released 61 rehabilitated and captive-bred Griffon Vultures from Spain, France and European zoos as part of a long-term reintroduction programme. The effort eventually led to successful breeding in the wild, with 42 chicks fledging between 2015 and 2020. The comeback also established a local population of around 55–70 Griffon Vultures by 2020. Sustained monitoring, supplementary feeding and carefully managed releases helped restore a species that had disappeared as a breeding bird from the area.
Get breaking news anytime, anywhere. Download the TOI app now!
