Rhodope Mountains
Rewilding the Rhodope Mountains
Vultures are perhaps the most iconic examples of European scavengers; the sight of these majestic birds soaring overhead on thermals or feeding at a carcass can be truly captivating.
Thanks to reintroductions and species protection, threatened European vulture populations are slowly but steadily recovering. Yet as the occurrence of wild herbivore carcasses has declined, so these magnificent birds have become increasingly dependent on the carcasses of domesticated animals. Ever stricter veterinary regulations, however, mean this food source is also becoming increasingly unreliable.
Working with local partners Rewilding Rhodopes is increasing the number of local ungulates through several annual red deer and fallow deer releases, with reintroduced animal behaviour monitored through the use of GPS collars. Since 2014, over 500 fallow deer and 100 red deer have been released.
The number of griffon vulture pairs rose to 105 producing 72 juveniles (compared with 65 in 2018), that fledged successfully. Considerable time and effort has been invested
in protecting this burgeoning colony, with 167 pylons insulated and fitted with flight diverters to prevent electrocution and collisions. In 2016 the first anti-poison dog unit also began patrolling the Rhodope Mountains helping to protect vultures by establishing poison-free areas.
Together with partners, Rewilding Europe is creating space for natural processes like forest regeneration, free flowing rivers, herbivory and carnivory to impact ecosystems. The work of Rewilding Europe and Rewilding Rhodopes is now seeing increasing numbers of keystone herbivores such as red and fallow deer, European bison and horses in the Rhodopes. Grazing trials with free-roaming wild horses will allow to determine whether open habitats will stay open when this native herbivore is present in natural numbers.
The increased wildlife numbers and the reintroduced native species provide a basis for a unique and varied tourism offer firmly built on these assets. Rhodope Mountains can become one of the best places in Europe for raptors and large herbivores watching. In addition to that, local businesses and regional products benefit from the rewilding activities and provide incentives for entrepreneurs to invest in the area, thereby contributing to the uniqueness and attractiveness of it.
In 2016 the LIFE project "Conservation of black and griffon vultures in the cross-border Rhodope mountains" started in cooperation with five conservation partners in Bulgaria and Greece.
An awareness and training seminar on poisoning and wildlife crime for police, forestry and other authorities was held in Krumovgrad.
During 2020 the reintroduced red deer population exceeded 100, and 81 fallow deer were released at various locations, with some fitted with GPS collars to track their movements. Since 2014, over 500 fallow deer and 50 red deer have been released.
The number of griffon vulture pairs rose to 105 producing 72 juveniles (compared with 65 in 2018 ), that fledged successfully. Considerable time and effort has been invested in protecting this burgeoning colony, with 167 pylons insulated and fitted with flight diverters to prevent electrocution and collisions.
Plans to reintroduce the cinereous vulture are gathering pace following a visit in 2020 from representatives of Spanish raptor rehabilitation and reintroduction specialist, GREFA, who identified several suitable release sites. Preparations are under way for the construction of a pre-release aviary.
Several artificial nests for the cinereous vultures have been installed in the Krumovitsa Special Protection Area, situated along the main flying corridor of the species to Bulgaria.
A great effort to understand the movements and causes of mortality of the vultures have been undertaken, with 27 cinereous vultures fitted with satellite transmitters in Greece's Dadia National Park and 31 Griffon vultures in Eastern Rhodopes.
New herds of Karakachan horses have been established with 120 free-roaming Karakachan horses, in addition to the almost 100 Konik horses living wild in the area.
Our work with Bulgaria's first anti-poisoning dog unit - established in 2016 - in the area continues to reduce the poisoning of wildlife in the area and help to restore vulture populations. In 2020, relationships forged with police forces at a local and national level and an anti-poisoning strategy was concluded and submitted for governmental endorsement.
In 2020, a local enterprise officer has been hired to facilitate the growth of nature tourism in the Rhodopes region, in collaboration with the central team.
Six hides for wildlife photography tourism since the start.
Several traininging seminars on wildlife watching enterprise development and wildlife photography have been held in Madzharovo, with more than 30 participants taking part.
The Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation has been established through the transformation of the former NTG, and is the preferential partner of Rewilding Europe in the rewilding area.
A new partnership with German shoemaker Wildling Shoes will see rewilding efforts scale up in the Rhodope Mountains, generating wide-ranging benefits for nature and people.
From 2015 to 2019 Fondation Segré financially supported rewilding in the Rhodope Mountains.
Working together with hunting associations
Forming a good team
Learning from reintroductions of several species like red and fallow deer, wild living horse, bison and wild living cattle.
Vultures are perhaps the most iconic examples of European scavengers; the sight of these majestic birds soaring overhead on thermals or feeding at a carcass can be truly captivating.
Thanks to reintroductions and species protection, threatened European vulture populations are slowly but steadily recovering. Yet as the occurrence of wild herbivore carcasses has declined, so these magnificent birds have become increasingly dependent on the carcasses of domesticated animals. Ever stricter veterinary regulations, however, mean this food source is also becoming increasingly unreliable.
Working with local partners Rewilding Rhodopes is increasing the number of local ungulates through several annual red deer and fallow deer releases, with reintroduced animal behaviour monitored through the use of GPS collars. Since 2014, over 500 fallow deer and 100 red deer have been released.
The number of griffon vulture pairs rose to 105 producing 72 juveniles (compared with 65 in 2018), that fledged successfully. Considerable time and effort has been invested
in protecting this burgeoning colony, with 167 pylons insulated and fitted with flight diverters to prevent electrocution and collisions. In 2016 the first anti-poison dog unit also began patrolling the Rhodope Mountains helping to protect vultures by establishing poison-free areas.
Together with partners, Rewilding Europe is creating space for natural processes like forest regeneration, free flowing rivers, herbivory and carnivory to impact ecosystems. The work of Rewilding Europe and Rewilding Rhodopes is now seeing increasing numbers of keystone herbivores such as red and fallow deer, European bison and horses in the Rhodopes. Grazing trials with free-roaming wild horses will allow to determine whether open habitats will stay open when this native herbivore is present in natural numbers.
The increased wildlife numbers and the reintroduced native species provide a basis for a unique and varied tourism offer firmly built on these assets. Rhodope Mountains can become one of the best places in Europe for raptors and large herbivores watching. In addition to that, local businesses and regional products benefit from the rewilding activities and provide incentives for entrepreneurs to invest in the area, thereby contributing to the uniqueness and attractiveness of it.
In 2016 the LIFE project "Conservation of black and griffon vultures in the cross-border Rhodope mountains" started in cooperation with five conservation partners in Bulgaria and Greece.
An awareness and training seminar on poisoning and wildlife crime for police, forestry and other authorities was held in Krumovgrad.
During 2020 the reintroduced red deer population exceeded 100, and 81 fallow deer were released at various locations, with some fitted with GPS collars to track their movements. Since 2014, over 500 fallow deer and 50 red deer have been released.
The number of griffon vulture pairs rose to 105 producing 72 juveniles (compared with 65 in 2018 ), that fledged successfully. Considerable time and effort has been invested in protecting this burgeoning colony, with 167 pylons insulated and fitted with flight diverters to prevent electrocution and collisions.
Plans to reintroduce the cinereous vulture are gathering pace following a visit in 2020 from representatives of Spanish raptor rehabilitation and reintroduction specialist, GREFA, who identified several suitable release sites. Preparations are under way for the construction of a pre-release aviary.
Several artificial nests for the cinereous vultures have been installed in the Krumovitsa Special Protection Area, situated along the main flying corridor of the species to Bulgaria.
A great effort to understand the movements and causes of mortality of the vultures have been undertaken, with 27 cinereous vultures fitted with satellite transmitters in Greece's Dadia National Park and 31 Griffon vultures in Eastern Rhodopes.
New herds of Karakachan horses have been established with 120 free-roaming Karakachan horses, in addition to the almost 100 Konik horses living wild in the area.
Our work with Bulgaria's first anti-poisoning dog unit - established in 2016 - in the area continues to reduce the poisoning of wildlife in the area and help to restore vulture populations. In 2020, relationships forged with police forces at a local and national level and an anti-poisoning strategy was concluded and submitted for governmental endorsement.
In 2020, a local enterprise officer has been hired to facilitate the growth of nature tourism in the Rhodopes region, in collaboration with the central team.
Six hides for wildlife photography tourism since the start.
Several traininging seminars on wildlife watching enterprise development and wildlife photography have been held in Madzharovo, with more than 30 participants taking part.
The Rewilding Rhodopes Foundation has been established through the transformation of the former NTG, and is the preferential partner of Rewilding Europe in the rewilding area.
A new partnership with German shoemaker Wildling Shoes will see rewilding efforts scale up in the Rhodope Mountains, generating wide-ranging benefits for nature and people.
From 2015 to 2019 Fondation Segré financially supported rewilding in the Rhodope Mountains.
