Nine European bison – seven females and two males – were released into the wild in the Zhenda area, part of the 3,800-hectare Zhenda rewilding site in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains near Kardzhali. The initiative is led by the Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation, in partnership with the Zhenda State Hunting Enterprise and with the support of international partners.
The return of wildlife in the Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria marks another exciting step forward. In June, eight more European bison were introduced in two stages to “Zhenda” – one of the priority landscapes for the Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation. The European bison is one of the endangered large herbivores and a symbol of the rewilding efforts in Europe.
A significant milestone in the efforts to restore the Cinereous vulture in the Rhodopes was achieved earlier with the release of a third group of birds in the Eastern Rhodopes. The teams of the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) and the Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation successfully released new birds, bringing the total number of Cinereous vultures released to 23.
At the end of last week, experts, veterinarians, and volunteers from the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB), Green Balkans, RIEW Haskovo, and GREFA participated in the marking and transmitter fitting of a total of eight black vultures in the adaptation aviary near Madzharovo.
On March 22-23, 2025, the Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation organized a celebration of World Rewilding Day in the village of Mandritsa.
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.
Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation is currently looking for a Communications officer to help us spread our rewilding mission and vision.
The rewilding efforts in the Rhodope Mountains took another exciting step forward with the arrival of five bison, one of Europe’s most endangered large herbivores and a symbol of wildlife restoration. Earlier this week, the animals were transported to Zhenda, the new priority area for the Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation.
The team of the Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation marked its 10th anniversary with a two-day event in the heart of the Eastern Rhodopes—Kardzhali. Partners and friends of the organization gathered for a forum and a field visit, attracting nearly 100 participants who actively engaged in the diverse program and following discussions
A three-day Vulture Festival marked the beginning of the new LIFE project, ” Restoration of the Cinereous vulture population and trophic chain in the Bulgarian-Greek cross-border region “. In Bulgaria project will be implemented by the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) in partnership with Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation. The event, held in Madzharovo, was attended by more than 300 people from across the country, some of whom are now regulars to the festival.