site.btaOldest Known Saker Falcon Sets World Longevity Record at 32 in Stara Zagora

Romeo, a saker falcon living at the Green Balkans Wildlife Rescue Centre in Stara Zagora (South Central Bulgaria), has become the first scientifically documented bird of his species in the world to reach the age of 32, the centre's operations manager Dr. Rusko Petrov told BTA on Wednesday.

Hatched in May 1993 at National Zoo Bojnice in Slovakia, Romeo is now in his 33rd year of life, with scientific records indicating this is a longevity record for the European saker falcon. The species typically lives around 25 years, with birds reaching 26–27 considered exceptionally rare, Petrov noted.

He pointed out that although the saker falcon disappeared as a breeding species in Bulgaria more than 20 years ago, Romeo has played a key role in its recovery, having fathered more than 60 chicks, over 20 of which have been successfully released into the wild. Now retired, Romeo lives in the rescue centre's "White House" section for elderly animals, where he receives specialized care. 

One of his daughters became the first saker falcon to breed in Bulgaria in 2018, helping restore the species. Today, three breeding pairs remain in the country. Petrov warned that poisoning and illegal shooting remain the greatest threats to the species, adding that some pigeon keepers deliberately poison their own birds, causing falcons and other birds of prey to die after catching them.

He stressed that of the 187 saker falcons released in Bulgaria, about 60% have been lost due to human activity, highlighting the ongoing challenges facing the species' recovery.