Full recovery of the Griffon Vulture population in the Balkan Peninsula and creation of sustainable capacities for vulture conservation across the region.

BACKGROUND

The griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) is a cliff-nesting raptor and obligate scavenger. The species, which used to be common across the Balkan Peninsula, declined dramatically during the 20th century due to poisoning, persecution, reduced food availability, and mortality linked to energy infrastructure. This resulted in fragmentation and isolation of populations, making small colonies vulnerable to extinction and limiting natural recolonisation across the region.

Although conservation efforts have led to a partial recovery in some countries, the regional population remains vulnerable. Wildlife crime, particularly poisoning, reduced food availability, and limited capacity for wildlife rehabilitation, continue to affect survival and breeding success. Socio-economic changes in pastoralism and carcass disposal practices have led to a decline in natural food sources for vultures and other scavengers.

The Balkan region hosts an important part of the European population, yet connectivity between colonies has weakened, limiting demographic stability and long-term population dynamics. Fragmented subpopulations and declining mainland nuclei highlight the need for coordinated transboundary conservation measures to restore functional ecological corridors and improve survival rates.

OBJECTIVES

The overall objective of the project is to improve the conservation status and long-term viability of griffon vultures on the Balkan Peninsula by reducing human-induced mortality, improving habitat conditions and reinforcing fragmented populations. Specific objectives include:
• reducing mortality from wildlife poisoning through capacity building, preventive measures and improved enforcement
• increasing food availability by expanding and improving supplementary feeding programmes and supporting livestock breeders in maintaining traditional pastoralism
• strengthening wildlife rehabilitation centres through training, equipment and infrastructure improvements
• reinforcement of existing populations and establishing new breeding nuclei by reintroductions in suitable nesting areas on the mainland of Greece and North Macedonia
• improving regional connectivity of populations on the Balkan Peninsula through a strategic network of supplementary feeding stations
• increasing awareness and stakeholder engagement to support long-term conservation and policy implementation 

The project builds on LIFE19 GIE/NL/001016 for combatting wildlife poisoning, including the tagging and tracking of vultures in an early warning system. It builds on LIFE16 IPE/GR/000002 for restocking, and on regional conservation initiatives. It contributes to EU biodiversity policy implementation, including the EU Birds Directive and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. It aims to strengthen coordinated conservation actions across multiple Balkan countries and protected areas, including Natura 2000 sites. By reducing the use of poison baits and establishing feeding stations, the project implements measures from the Greek national Prioritised Action Framework (PAF 2021-2027) and aligns with the Multi-Species Action Plan to conserve African-Eurasian vultures. It applies the release best practices that have been used successfully in Bulgaria, including in the LIFE08 NAT/BG/000278 and LIFE14 NAT/BG/000649 projects.

While the project directly targets the griffon vulture (Gyps vulvus*), other vulture and raptor species will also benefit, including the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus*), the cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus*) and the eastern imperial eagle (Aquila heliaca*).