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.
Тhe cinereous vulture reintroduction is part of a long-term initiative to restore the cinereous vulture population in the Eastern Rhodopes. In Bulgaria, the program is led by the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) and the Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation, in cooperation with partners from Bulgaria, Greece, and Spain.
The bird is an adult male, brought from Spain by the GREFA rescue center. It was released into the wild in May this year as part of the “Restoration of the Cinereous vulture population and trophic chain in the Bulgarian-Greek cross-border region” (LIFE 23 NAT BG LIFE RHODOPE VULTURE). Although the vulture has only one eye, it had successfully adapted to life in the wild until the GPS data showed a concerning lack of movement — a possible sign of trouble.
In early July, a team from the Serbian Society for the Protection and Study of Birds, supported by volunteers, launched an intensive search in difficult and overgrown terrain. The bird was found hidden in dense vegetation and in poor condition.
Coordinated with the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia, the cinereous vulture will be transported to Niš, where it will undergo a veterinary examination and receive temporary care at the ZooPlanet Niš rescue center and was later transported to Belgrade for further treatment.
This incident highlights the critical importance of regional cooperation in wildlife conservation, as birds do not recognize national borders. Only through united efforts can we ensure a future for the rare and iconic species of the Balkans. We extend our sincere thanks to our colleagues at the Serbian Society for the Protection and Study of Birds (BirdLife Serbia) for their dedication and swift action.