Bulgaria's Vultures Reintroduction Projects. You can HELP, too!

A Lifeline for Vultures: Green Balkans’ Initiative

Green Balkans, together with FWFF, dedicated NGOs committed to wildlife conservation in Bulgaria, are on the frontlines of the battle to protect vultures. Understanding the dire need for immediate intervention, they have implemented a groundbreaking solution: equipping vultures with GPS transmitters. These cutting-edge devices provide real-time tracking, allowing conservationists to detect any unusual behavior that could indicate poisoning or distress. With this crucial data, response teams can act swiftly, increasing the chances of rescuing affected vultures before it’s too late. By analyzing specific movement patterns and behavioral indicators transmitted by the GPS devices, his technology allows conservationists to detect when a vulture is in trouble. This breakthrough has given teams the ability to locate birds in distress before it is too late.

At the heart of this life-saving technology is Cornel Cotorogea, a Romanian engineer, together with Bulgarian specialists, who pioneered a scientific method to translate GPS data into early warning signals for vultures in distress. By analyzing specific movement patterns and behavioral indicators transmitted by the GPS devices, his method allows conservationists to detect when a vulture is in trouble. This breakthrough has given teams the ability to locate poisoned birds before it is too late.

Just yesterday, this system proved its life-saving potential, alerts from the GPS transmitters showed vultures in distress. Their movement had suddenly stopped, triggering an immediate search operation. Using GPS positioning, the team located the birds in Kresna Gorge, where they were found poisoned but still alive, aside with two dead Griffon Vultures. Thanks to rapid intervention, they were taken to a medical facility for treatment, offering hope for their recovery. As one of the rescuers put it, “It is  a disaster. With more GPS trackers, we can save more lives in the future.”

How the Response Works

Once a GPS alert is triggered, a rapid response team mobilizes. Using the GPS coordinates, they head directly to the location, often navigating challenging terrain. Time is critical, poisoning acts fast and vultures are highly sensitive to toxins. The team must work quickly to assess the situation, retrieve any affected birds and transport them for emergency treatment. In cases where vultures are found deceased, they conduct thorough investigations to locate and neutralize poison sources, preventing further casualties. By analyzing their tracks, the possible poisoning spots can be detected fast and eliminated, reducing the risk that other birds can feed and get poisoned from the same location.

The Growing Threat: A Crisis in Numbers

Vulture poisoning is not an isolated event, it is an ongoing crisis. Over the last decade, dozens of vultures in Bulgaria have been killed by poisoning, with several cases occurring each year. In 2020, a devastating incident wiped out four Cinereous Vultures, including the first wild-hatched chick in nearly 30 years. Since then, the trend has continued and just this week, another two griffon vultures were lost in Kresna. The only hope of stopping these tragedies is through rapid detection and intervention, which is why GPS tracking is essential.

A Global Conservation Strategy

Bulgaria is not alone in using GPS tracking to protect vultures. Similar projects have been successfully implemented by Vulture Conservation Foundation, like BalkanDetox LIFE Project, where GPS monitoring has helped prevent numerous poisoning incidents. These international efforts demonstrate that tracking technology is a proven and effective tool in vulture conservation.

Decending trend of posiosning but still there

Green Balkans has made significant strides in reducing the poisoning of vultures in Bulgaria, with a noticeable downward trend in recent years. However, despite these improvements, poisoning remains a persistent threat to vulture populations. The efforts of Green Balkans in education and awareness-raising have played a crucial role in shifting public perception, highlighting the importance of vultures in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. More and more people are beginning to recognize the vital role these majestic birds play in nature, helping to ensure that the trend of poisoning continues to decline. Still, ongoing vigilance and continued educational initiatives are essential to completely eradicate this harmful practice.

The Challenges of GPS Monitoring

While GPS tracking is invaluable, it comes with challenges. Each device has a limited lifespan, requiring careful maintenance and eventual replacement. Additionally, GPS transmitters are costly, each one costs around €1,350 (GPS, harness, data transfer and GSM fee). Conservation programs like Green Balkans rely heavily on donations to expand their monitoring network. More funding means more vultures can be equipped with this life-saving technology, increasing the chances of detecting and preventing poisoning incidents before they turn into ecological disasters.

How You Can Help

Protecting Bulgaria’s vultures is a team effort and you can be part of the solution. By donating to Green Balkans/FWFF, you directly contribute to purchasing GPS transmitters and supporting rapid response teams. Every euro brings us closer to a future where vultures can soar safely, free from the constant threat of poisoning.

Donate today and help keep these incredible birds in our skies

GPS tracking – Fund for Wild Flora and Fauna    |    Bearded Vulture LIFE

Thank you for your help!