From 13 to 16 July, the Macedonian Ecological Society (MES) organized a study visit to the Eastern Rhodopes in Bulgaria as part of its project “Study Visit to the Vulture Reintroduction Center in Eastern Rhodopes.
The Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation, in partnership with leading scientists and conservationists, is launching a large-scale initiative to survey obsolete artificial barriers along the Arda River in Bulgaria.
Ιncreasing the Griffon Vulture population in the Eastern Rhodopes, restoring the red and fallow deer in the region and creating the first anti-poison dog unit team — these are just some of the results of LIFE-RE Vultures. Over the last five years, this project successfully implemented various conservation actions to conserve Cinereous and Griffon Vultures in the Rhodopes.
In November 12 fallow deer were released in the Rhodope rewilding area, marking the beginning of the restocking activities in the area
A positive site survey means the reintroduction of cinereous vultures in the Rhodope Mountains rewilding area in Bulgaria can begin in 2021. Overseen by the Rewilding Rhodopes team and partners, the return of this keystone species to the area as a breeding species will enhance local food chains.
This week four new electric poles are insulated in Rhodope Mountain in Bulgaria under the LIFE “Conservation of black and griffon vultures in Rhodope Mountains”. The insulation is one of the most important direct conservation project activities and until now 171 poles at risk for birds have been isolated in the Eastern Rhodopes and diverters have been installed on a 1.5 km power transmission line.
In these dire times, the “collaboration” between livestock breeders of Kompsatos valley and a “nature’s clean-up crew” seems to have equally benefited both. Increasing and strict sanitary regulations of carcasses disposal force livestock breeders to process accordingly with their dead animals, something that might be difficult to achieve in some places. Due to the above mentioned regulations, the availability of vultures’ food source has shrunk
This year vulture experts and the rewilding team in the Rhodope Mountains counted 73 hatched vultures within the regular monitoring programme of the only indigenous griffon vulture population in Bulgaria.
Red and fallow deer populations in Rhodope rewilding area in Bulgaria are increasing rewarding the team’s rewilding efforts. The Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation have been working for many years to reestablish populations of both fallow and red deer in Bulgaria’s Eastern Rhodope mountains. Introducing small groups of animals over successive years is proving a good way to establish viable red and fallow deer populations.
This year we mark the “Earth day” 50th anniversary with a visually stunning new exhibition, showcasing the natural wonders of the Eastern Rhodopes. This year the event has gone digital and so did we.
