Revival of Black Vultures: Record Success in Bulgarian Nature Conservation

Conservation organizations have achieved a landmark success in protecting black vultures, experts from leading environmental foundations reported. The exceptional achievement was recorded in two mountain areas – Vratsa and Kotel Balkan, where 12-13 breeding pairs were documented.

The large-scale international initiative, uniting Green Balkans, "Wild Generation", BSPB and Vulture Conservation Foundation, demonstrated consistent results. The statistics eloquently illustrate the upward dynamics: from one newly hatched chick in 2021 to eight specimens in 2025.

The comprehensive strategy includes multiple preventive activities: power lines are insulated, poisoning risks are removed, artificial nests are installed, and special feeding stations are maintained. These targeted measures are of critical importance for the species' survival.

Leading ornithologists define the current moment as a turning point in "establishing" the population. The ambitious short-term forecast predicts that by 2030, the annual number of young birds will exceed ten specimens, which will guarantee stable reproduction.

European LIFE programs and international partners play a key role in this large-scale nature conservation project, which demonstrates how targeted efforts can return endangered species to nature.