For the first time in more than three decades, cinereous vulture chicks have hatched in Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountains. Marking an exciting milestone in the recovery of one of Europe’s largest scavengers, this breeding success follows years of dedicated preparation and highlights how rewilding is helping to create the conditions for wildlife to return and thrive.

Cinereous vultures have recently been released in the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria and the Iberian Highlands of Spain. Their return marks an important step forward in rewilding Europe’s skies — supporting the comeback of the species in Europe, strengthening the circle of life, and delivering lasting benefits to local communities.

Four cinereous vultures have just been released in the Iberian Highlands in Spain, as part of an ongoing reintroduction programme. The restoration of this iconic and ecologically important bird as a breeding species will enhance the health of the rewilding landscape and support nature-based economic development.

A second group of cinereous vultures has just been released in the Rhodope Mountains in Bulgaria. Reinforcing the population already present in the area, the birds will strengthen the local circle of life, help to restore wild nature, and deliver benefits to communities in and around the rewilding landscape.

Seven cinereous vultures have just been released in the Iberian Highlands rewilding landscape in Spain, as part of an ongoing reintroduction programme. The restoration of this iconic and ecologically important bird as a breeding species will enhance the health of the landscape, support economic growth, and help to prevent the outbreak of disease.

In the middle of June, a second group of cinereous vultures were translocated to the Rhodope Mountains rewilding landscape in Bulgaria. Their arrival and eventual release is the next step in a long-term programme to re-establish these ecologically important birds as a breeding species.

Populations of vultures and other raptors in the Balkans still face a range of threats, with illegal poisoning top of the list. The reintroduction of cinereous vultures in the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria throws a spotlight on these threats, but also offers hope for the future.

As a keystone species, vultures are an integral part of healthy ecosystems. The discovery last year of a cinereous vulture colony in the Greater Côa Valley is therefore good news for wild nature and local rewilding efforts.

Cinereous vultures – Europe’s largest and heaviest raptor – have been brought back to Southern Bulgaria, with 17 birds from Spain having been transported all the way to the rewilding landscape of the Rhodope Mountains.

The skills and knowledge acquired by the team will be put to good use when cinereous vultures are released into the Rhodope Mountains rewilding area in 2021.