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.
The event brought together representatives from all partner organisations in Bulgaria and Greece, as well as international experts from GREFA and the Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF).
The main working session was held on 25 November at the Dadia National Park Information Centre, where partners presented project progress and the results of the various work packages. Participants included: BSPB, the Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation, GREFA, NECCA, SPBT, Homeotech, MEEN, 2nd HCO, HCS, DUTH, VCF and Callisto.
Key topics discussed included progress on project activities, financial implementation and documentation, as well as upcoming tasks, deadlines, milestones and expected outcomes. The afternoon concluded with a meeting of the Project Steering Committee.
On 26 November, participants took part in a field visit in Dadia National Park—including birdwatching from the raptor observation tower, a visit to the area around Mount Kapsalo, and a walk along the trail to the petrified forest. The field trip provided experts with first-hand insight into conditions within the critical habitat of the endangered Cinereous and Griffon Vultures.
The working meeting in Dadia reaffirmed the importance of international cooperation in efforts to restore the Cinereous Vulture in the Rhodopes. Partners expressed confidence that by 2029, the project will achieve significant conservation results and contribute to the sustainable return of the species to the Balkans.