Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Europe's largest vulture returns to Bulgaria's Eastern Rhodopes

Black Vulture
Photo: Green Balkans Wildlife Rescue Centre

Black Vultures, the largest and heaviest birds of prey in Europe, have returned to the Eastern Rhodopes after 14 birds were released from Spain at the end of last week, reports BNR Kardzhali. A team from the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds, the Spanish NGO GREFA and the Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation released the first flock of vultures in the Eastern Rhodopes as part of a recovery program in the Bulgarian section of the mountain. After 6 months of adaptation in a specially built aviary between the towns of Madzharovo and Ivaylovgrad, the black vultures were released. The ecologists monitor them closely to make sure that their adaptation is going smoothly.

The plan is to release 6-10 individuals per year in the coming years. If a colony of Black Vultures is established in Bulgaria, this will contribute to the survival of the species in the Balkans. They are expected to establish contacts with the last surviving local colony of about 25-30 pairs in the Greek part of the Rhodope Mountains, as well as with newly formed colonies of the species in the Balkan Mountains.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

European Public Prosecutor’s Office investigates projects in Plovdiv Municipality

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office has carried out searches in the Municipality of Plovdiv and in a company suspected of public procurement fraud related to the improvement of urban green and public spaces in the city, the EP..

published on 10/20/25 4:10 PM

GDP grows by 3.4% in 2024

In 2024, the gross domestic product of Bulgaria increased in real terms by 3.4% compared to the previous year, according to data by the National Statistical Institute, BTA reported. Gross national income at market prices last year..

published on 10/20/25 2:52 PM

European Public Prosecutor’s Office investigates fictitious mussel farm in the Black Sea

Suspicions of large-scale fraud with EU funds in a project to build a mussel farm in the Black Sea – southeast of Cape Emine in the municipality of Nessebar, have prompted an investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office...

published on 10/20/25 1:59 PM