[17.04.2006]

The reintroduction of vultures in regions of the Balkan Peninsula where they are extinct now, is one of the tools for recovery of the Balkan Vulture Action Plan. From 21th to the 28th of march the committee of the BVAP, which consists of experts of the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS), the Black Vulture Conservation Foundation (BVCF) and the Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture (FCBV), travelled to a part of the potential sites and met the local NGOs. This has been the first evaluation travel after 4 years of preparatory work within the BVAP.

The committee has found that it is possible and convenient start at more than one place at the same time in order to give the maximum potential for the recovery of the Griffon Vulture on the Balkan Peninsula. In this way, additional objectives will be achieved and more intensive conservation efforts locally will be gained, which will benefit not only the recovery ot the Griffon Vulture but also other endangered species and the whole ecosystem. Four of the visited areas are considered to be suitable for Griffon Vulture reintroduction on a short term and a fifth place with condition:
1) Stara Planina, Serbia
2) Vrachanska Planina, Bulgaria
3) Easter Balkan Mountain Range - Kotel area
4) Sinite Kamani Nature Park
5) Central Balkan National Park. Condition: No more poisoning cases during the coming 2-3 years. Meanwhile continuation of preparative measures and start of the planned feeding place.

It is suggested to start with the reintroductions as soon as possible.

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