The black vulture population has been revived in Bulgaria. article about it publishedand in the Journal of Biodiversity Data.
Black vultures are Europe’s largest birds of prey. Their body length can reach one meter and their weight can exceed 10-12 kilograms. This species is endangered and has been considered extinct in Bulgaria since 1985. An attempt was made to reintroduce black vultures to Bulgaria in 2015, and now ornithologists have reported its success.
In total, the scientists collected 72 individuals from zoos in Spain and Europe and then released them to selected spots in the Eastern Balkans and Vratsa Balkan Nature Park in northwestern Bulgaria. Of these, 63 immature individuals came from Spain, where the birds were in serious condition, and were therefore rehabilitated in aviaries. The remaining nine chicks were raised in captivity in zoos and then released into the wild in an artificial nest, where the chicks gradually “fly” into the wild. At the same time, scientists emphasize the importance of accustoming birds to a new place, and therefore they should not be immediately released from enclosures.
“The black vulture reintroduction phase to Bulgaria in two habitats is proceeding according to plan and the initial results are satisfactory,” the ornithologists summarize. — Currently two core populations have been established and this species has begun to multiply, which may be the reason why Bulgaria’s Red Book status has changed from “extinct” to “critically endangered”.
The full success of the program can be said after the populations started producing about ten chicks per year and the birds born in Bulgaria acquired their offspring themselves.
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