Life with Vultures
A Five-Year Journey to Save Cyprus' Griffon Vultures
In 2019, BirdLife Cyprus, in collaboration with other organizations and government institutions, initiated the 'LIFE with Vultures' project, aiming to protect the Griffon Vulture, the largest bird of prey on the island of Cyprus, from extinction.
Despite the team's relentless efforts, the current vulture population remains alarmingly low, standing at a mere 27 individuals. To bolster these numbers, extensive restocking efforts were undertaken, importing a total of 44 vultures from Spain in three separate batches, with 15 yet to be released. Each release serves as both a beacon of hope and a reminder of the challenges ahead, as only four of the 27 free-roaming vultures today are not of Spanish origin. Throughout the years, the team has worked tirelessly, restocking and processing vultures, while navigating various challenges, including the search for missing birds and alarming encounters with poison incidents.
The threats facing these majestic birds are daunting. Illegal poison baits, electrocutions and collisions with the energy grid, and habitat loss pose significant risks. Poisoning, in particular, remains a grave concern, often leading to the decimation of entire vulture groups. While vultures aren't the intended targets, they suffer the consequences of these lethal traps. Despite being outlawed, poison baits continue to plague the Cypriot countryside. Hunters and livestock farmers, aiming for foxes and hunting dogs of competitors, inadvertently endanger vultures. In response, the project has deployed two anti-poison dog units equipped with specialized training and vehicles. They diligently patrol vulture habitats, representing a proactive governmental response to prevent the use of poison baits. Progress has been made, with authorities intensifying enforcement measures. Those caught in the act face criminal repercussions. These collective efforts demonstrate a commitment not only to preserving a species but also to safeguarding Cyprus' ecosystem from such threats.
As the project concludes, the hope is to showcase the beauty and awe of this incredible species while also raising awareness among the public and authorities about the dangers of poison baits. The ultimate goal is to establish a stronghold for the Griffon Vulture at the southeasternmost point of Europe.
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Involved in the project are BirdLife Cyprus, Cyprus' Game and Fauna Service, Terra Cypria, The Cyprus Conservation Foundation and the Vulture Conservation Foundation.
Despite the team's relentless efforts, the current vulture population remains alarmingly low, standing at a mere 27 individuals. To bolster these numbers, extensive restocking efforts were undertaken, importing a total of 44 vultures from Spain in three separate batches, with 15 yet to be released. Each release serves as both a beacon of hope and a reminder of the challenges ahead, as only four of the 27 free-roaming vultures today are not of Spanish origin. Throughout the years, the team has worked tirelessly, restocking and processing vultures, while navigating various challenges, including the search for missing birds and alarming encounters with poison incidents.
The threats facing these majestic birds are daunting. Illegal poison baits, electrocutions and collisions with the energy grid, and habitat loss pose significant risks. Poisoning, in particular, remains a grave concern, often leading to the decimation of entire vulture groups. While vultures aren't the intended targets, they suffer the consequences of these lethal traps. Despite being outlawed, poison baits continue to plague the Cypriot countryside. Hunters and livestock farmers, aiming for foxes and hunting dogs of competitors, inadvertently endanger vultures. In response, the project has deployed two anti-poison dog units equipped with specialized training and vehicles. They diligently patrol vulture habitats, representing a proactive governmental response to prevent the use of poison baits. Progress has been made, with authorities intensifying enforcement measures. Those caught in the act face criminal repercussions. These collective efforts demonstrate a commitment not only to preserving a species but also to safeguarding Cyprus' ecosystem from such threats.
As the project concludes, the hope is to showcase the beauty and awe of this incredible species while also raising awareness among the public and authorities about the dangers of poison baits. The ultimate goal is to establish a stronghold for the Griffon Vulture at the southeasternmost point of Europe.
____________________________________
Involved in the project are BirdLife Cyprus, Cyprus' Game and Fauna Service, Terra Cypria, The Cyprus Conservation Foundation and the Vulture Conservation Foundation.
