site.btaRare Black Vultures from Spain to Be Released in the Eastern Rhodopes

Five black vultures from Spain will be released in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains, according to an announcement published on the official website of the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB). After arriving in Bulgaria, the birds will first be placed in an adaptation aviary, where they will spend several months before being released into the wild.

The BSPB said that the black vulture is one of the rarest bird species in the Balkans and the largest vulture species in Europe. The species was once widespread in Bulgaria but disappeared as a nesting bird by the end of the 20th century.

According to the conservation organization, international cooperation and support from local communities have helped black vultures gradually return to the Rhodope Mountains. Since the launch of the species restoration initiative, a total of 40 birds have been released into the region.

In 2026, eight breeding pairs have been recorded, three of which successfully hatched chicks, the BSPB said, describing the development as a historic success for species conservation efforts in Bulgaria.

In October 2025, seven black vultures were released in the Eastern Rhodopes as part of the ongoing reintroduction programme.