2020-2024

Life with the Vultures

Following a five-year journey to save Cyprus' Griffon Vultures

I documented the critical efforts to save Cyprus's last Griffon Vultures. With only 27 individuals left in the wild, their survival is seriously threatened by poisoning, habitat loss, and collisions with power lines. Over five years, I captured key moments: vultures arriving from Spain to restock the Cypriot population, close-ups at feeding stations in Spain, their release into the wild, and the deployment of anti-poison dog units to protect their habitats. I also documented the team investigating tragic losses, such as birds killed by powerlines, highlighting both the dangers these birds face and the tireless human effort to safeguard them. My aim is to showcase the fragility of these birds, the complexity of conservation work, and the resilience of those fighting hard for their future on the island.

Involved in the project are BirdLife Cyprus, Cyprus' Game and Fauna Service, Terra Cypria, The Cyprus Conservation Foundation and the Vulture Conservation Foundation.

Awarded with:


The Book

Life with Vultures: Layman’s Report

Photography: Silvio A. Rusmigo, Stelios Demetriou (p.57)
Publication coordination: Melpo Apostolidou, Elena Markitani, Martha Petrou, BirdLife Cyprus
Texts:
Melpo Apostolidou, Elena Markitani, Martha Petrou, BirdLife Cyprus
Design: Omiros Panayides
Printing:
Kontorousis Graphic Arts
Publisher: BirdLife Cyprus

Dimensions: 33 X 23 cm closed portrait / Soft cover
Weight: 390 g / No. of pages: 89
ISBN: 978-9925-7734-4-2


Exhibition

A.G Leventis Gallery, Nicosia | June 20 - July 14, 2024

Documentary film premiere: 19 June 2024
Contributors and Organisers: BirdLife Cyprus and the A.G Leventis Gallery
Exhibition Curators: Theodora Demetriou and Katerina Stephanides, A.G Leventis
Gallery Exhibition Design: Angeliki Koutsodimitropoulou
Texts: BirdLife Cyprus
Photography: Silvio A.Rusmigo
Graphic Design: Omiros Panayides
Documentary: Costas Drakos (Visual Caliber Films)

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Fishermen of the Cyprus Bycatch Project