Publications, reports and informational materials (TBA)
Project Management and Coordination (WP1)
Juan Carlos Muñoz / Rewilding Europe
This package ensures smooth collaboration between all partners, effective planning, and transparent reporting throughout the project’s five-year duration.
Expected results:
- Established Project Steering Group
- Signed Partnership Agreements
- Prepare administrative and financial monitoring tool for the project partners
- Employ professional and experienced project staff
- Write and submit technical and financial report
Preventing Direct Mortality (WP2)
Dimitrios Vavylis
Efforts focus on reducing threats such as poisoning and collisions with wind farms. The use of trained dogs for monitoring and anti-poisoning patrols is central to these actions.
Expected results:
- The use of trained dogs for monitoring of bird mortality under wind farms is assessed and widely promoted.
- The poisoning and other threat hotspots for vultures are identified and analyzed through the GPS tracking of wild and translocated Cinereous Vultures and wild Griffon Vultures.
- Collaboration between Greek (State forestry services of MEEN) and Bulgarian law enforcement authorities and relevant NGOs (SBPT, BSPB) currently operating anti-poisoning dog units, will be established.
- Two new anti-poisoning dog units are established by 2nd HCO and HCS in collaboration with the state forestry services of MEEN and become fully operational.
- More than 1000 anti-poison and anti-poaching joint patrols (representatives of authorities, hunting clubs and NGOs) are conducted in Greece and Bulgaria in total.
- The capacity of the authorities in investigating poisoning and other wildlife crimes is increased through training sessions nationally and internationally and in at least 5 prosecuted wildlife crime cases. 50% decrease of the poisoning accidents at in the 5th project year.
- The threat of lead poisoning is decreased through the promotion of lead-free ammunition among the hunters in the project area. Distribution of at least 5000 lead-free hunting cartridges in the project area and reaching at least 240 hunters.
- At least 48 hunters (20% of the indicated number of hunters involved, which is 240) start buying lead-free ammunition, 25 kg lead less spread in the nature.
- ● Ensure smooth project management, coordination between partners and reporting on the project implementation
● Deliver the agreed programme of work according to the proposed schedule and budget
Increasing Natural Food Sources (WP3)
Rewilding Apennines
By introducing wild herbivores and promoting sustainable farming practices, this package aims to provide natural, drug-free food for vultures.
Expected results:
- Engaging local farmers to allow safe carcass disposal under EU regulations.
- Pilot reintroduction of 30 red deer in Greece to establish a self-sustaining population. Project SPA in Greece, where is the existing Cinereous vulture colony (Dasos Dadias – Soufli -GR1110002).
- Developing a model for sustainable vulture feeding practices involving local communities.
- The food availability for vultures is increased sustainably through the obtaining of permissions for direct disposal of carcass in Bulgaria for local livestock breeders.
Reducing Conflicts and Poisoning (WP4)
Daniel Allen
This package focuses on minimizing conflicts between humans and wildlife, including innovative measures like protective vests for hunting dogs and water reservoirs for wild horses.
Expected results:
- Pilot use of 40 wolf-proof hunting-dog vests for hunting dogs to prevent attacks.
- Restoring water points to reduce competition between wild horses and livestock.
- Repairing eight water reservoirs in Greece and Bulgaria to reduce wild horse migration.
- Distribution of 30 electric fences for livestock breeders and farmers in Bulgaria and Greece.
Establishing a Second Cinereous Vulture Colony (WP5)
Ivo Viktorov Danchev
Focuses on reintroducing vultures to establish a new colony in the Rhodope Mountains, while safeguarding the existing Dadia colony.
Expected results:
- At least 40 Cinereous vultures are translocated from Spain to the aviary in Bulgaria. At least 5 pairs are established in the region where the birds were released or in adjacent regions, and a group of at least 50 individuals regularly present.
- The breeding population of the Cinereous vulture in the Rhodope mountains increased by at least 40% at the project end, and 70% five years later.
- The emergency protocol for rescuing Cinereous vultures in case of fire is prepared and adopted by MEEN.
- Employees of NECCA trained in tree climbing to be ready to react in case of emergency.
- Study on the impact of the 2023 wildfire on the Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli Forest National Park Cinereous vulture colony.
- Mitigation measure planned and implemented – 30 artificial nests installed to support the colony affected by fire.
Monitoring and Evaluation (WP6)
This work package focuses on measuring the effectiveness of project actions and their impacts on target species, ecosystems, and local communities.
Expected results:
- KPI updates at 9-th month and at the project end.
- Collected information on the target species population development and threats to inform project management and reporting.
- Collected information on wild prey and semi wild horses to inform project management, horses management actions and project reporting.
- Report with the assessment of the socio-economic impact of the project actions on the local economy and population.
- Report with the assessment of the project’s impact on the ecosystem services.
Awareness, Communication, and Local Support (WP7)
Ivo Viktorov Danchev
The goal of this package is to build community pride, promote conservation tourism, and ensure wide visibility of the project.
Expected results:
- Conduct educational programs, youth camps, and school outreach in local communities.
- Develop communication materials like brochures, podcasts, and videos, including a high-quality documentary.
- Organize events like International Vulture Day and develop vulture-watching trails.
- Engaged 40,000 people annually through online platforms.
- Involved 25 schools and hosted four youth camps in the Rhodope region.
- Built two vulture-watching trails and created informative signage for visitor areas.
Networking, Sustainability, and Replication (WP8)
Ivo Viktorov Danchev
This package aims to share experiences with other conservation projects, ensure the longevity of project outcomes, and promote best practices across regions.
Expected results:
- Collaborate with similar conservation projects to share knowledge and strategies.
- Develop an “After-LIFE” plan to sustain conservation actions post-project.
- Introduce methods for vulture-friendly wind farm management and carcass disposal.
- Established partnerships with international conservation projects.
- Prepared a detailed exploitation plan for replication across Europe.
- Promoted best practices and results at international conferences and through publications.