An exceptionally important conservation success has been recorded in the Rhodope Mountains rewilding area – three pairs of Cinereous vultures have successfully hatched chicks, marking the species’ return as a breeding bird in the Bulgarian part of the Rhodope Mountains after more than three decades of absence.
On 17 March 2026, a team from the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) recorded a case of Cinereous vulture poisoning in the area of the village of Mandritsa, within the “Byala Reka” protected area.
A mass poisoning incident in Dadia–Lefkimi–Soufli National Park in northeastern Greece has resulted in the death of nine Cinereous Vulture individuals, while three were found in critical condition but rescued.
From 24 to 26 November 2025, the second working meeting of the “Return of the Black Vultures to the Rhodopes” project took place in Dadia National Park, Greece.
A cinereous vulture, released earlier this year in the Eastern Rhodopes, has been rescued in Serbia by the Serbian Society for the Protection and Study of Birds (Društvo za zaštitu i proučavanje ptica Srbije). The bird’s GPS transmitter signaled a lack of movement, prompting an immediate response and a successful rescue operation in the area of Vranjska Banja, Serbia.
Between June 2 and 6, the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) organized a youth conservation and educational camp in the “vulture town” of Madzharovo. Eight participants with a strong interest in birds and nature conservation took part in the event.
Seven more Cinereous vultures travelled an impressive 3,300 kilometers from Spain to the Eastern Rhodopes to become part of the ambitious LIFE project ” Restoration of the Cinereous vulture population and trophic chain in the Bulgarian-Greek cross-border region“, to bring back this majestic species in Bulgaria.
We are delighted to share an inspiring story of resilience, collaboration, and second chances. Over a year of dedicated cross-border teamwork has culminated in a heart-warming success: following a long and troublesome journey to Greece, severe challenges extensive rehabilitation process, the female cinereous vulture B14 healed and is now ready to return to the wild.
New Cinereous Vulture Pair was formed in the Eastern Rhodopes in February. The male vulture, numbered 4VU, now in its fifth calendar year, had been alone for a long time but exhibited territorial behavior, occupying an artificial nest built in collaboration with the “Kartsalsko Gnezdo” Foundation. His partner is a fully mature, unringed female, most likely originating from the black vulture colony in Dadia National Park in the Greek part of the mountain.
Нова двойка черни лешояди демонстрира брачно поведение в Източните Родопи в началото на февруари. Мъжкият лешояд, с номер 4VU, който е в петата си календарна година, дълго време е сам, но демонстрира териториално поведение, като заема изкуствено гнездо, построено съвместно с фондация „Карталско гнездо“. Партньорката му е напълно възрастна женска без пръстени, която най-вероятно произхожда от колонията на черните лешояди в Националния парк „Дадя“ в гръцката част на планината.
