Griffon vulture departs for Bulgaria for reintroduction to nature

Eindhoven Zoo will wave off griffon vulture Stanislav to Bulgaria next week. The bird of prey will be released into the wild there this spring. In this way the park in Mierlo contributes to the conservation of the population of European vultures in Bulgaria.

Stanislav will leave for Bulgaria on Feb. 8, after which he will get used to his new environment in a shelter. In a while, the griffon vulture will be released in Sinite kamani Nature Park.

Almost extinctEindhoven Zoo is working with Green Balkans and Stichting Wildlife on the reintroduction of the vulture in Bulgaria. In this country, several European vulture species, the griffon vulture, the bearded vulture and the monk vulture, are close to extinction. Farmers laid down poisoned carcasses meant to scare away bears and wolves, but which also victimized vultures. As a result, the population declined rapidly since the 1970s.

Nature organization Green Balkans is committed to fighting extinction and is doing everything possible to maintain and increase the population of the three species of scavengers. The griffon vulture from Eindhoven Zoo will contribute to this effort.

Reintroduction
"It is really very nice and special to be able to do this," explains head of animal care Stephan Rijnen. "As a zoo, we are actively committed to species conservation, for example through breeding programs, but it is very rare that we can release animals into the wild because the conditions in the habitats are not suitable."

Through the efforts of Green Balkans and others, conditions in Bulgaria have greatly improved in recent years, allowing vultures to safely fly around here again. To restore the population, young birds are also released from European zoos. "It's very nice to be able to contribute to this," says Rijnen. "It's a nice step for us as a zoo."

VictorStanislav was born in Eindhoven Zoo in March 2020. His name means victor. "We thought that was a fitting meaning for this species of bird," Rijnen explains the name. "In addition, it is also the first name of former PSV player Manolev, who is also from Bulgaria. As a zoo near Eindhoven, we thought this was a very nice touch."

Green Balkans is financially supported by Stichting Wildlife. With this contribution, they fund the release of the vultures, but also address the factors that cause the raptors to die. "They have started talks with the farmers, who as a result no longer put down poisoned carcasses," says Kris Hekhuis of Stichting Wildlife. "But also consider, for example, securing electricity pylons: vultures die from the shock they receive when they fly into them. Thanks in part to our contribution, electricity pylons could be insulated. Since then, no dead vultures have been found around those pylons."

Nature ProtectionGreen Balkans provides various nature conservation projects, including maintaining and increasing populations of European vultures. In addition, this organization is committed to nature conservation and employees provide education on European vulture species.

Readhere all about the release of the griffon vulture in Bulgaria.