[26.05.2006]

From 15th - 20th of May a Training seminar for Balkan NGOs on restocking and reintroduction of vultures took place in Peyreleau, France.

The Training seminar, organized by the Black Vulture Conservation Foundation (BVCF), the Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO) / Mission Rapaces and the Birds of Prey Protection Society (BPPS) and supported by the European Commission, has been directed at the team leaders of future projects for restock or reintroduce vultures within the framework of the Balkan Vulture Action Plan (BVAP) of the following local organizations: BPPS (Bulgaria), BSPB (Bulgaria), FWFF-Blagoevgrad (Bulgaria), FWFF-Kotel (Bulgaria), Green Balkans (Bulgaria), Chrysaetos (Greece), FWFF-Macedonia, MES (Macedonia), Institute for Protection of Nature in Serbia and Milvus Group (Romania). The seminar took place at Peyreleau village (Grandes Causses) - where in the 80's LPO has been started its Griffon Vulture reintroduction project and latest on the Black Vulture - with the objective to increase the local NGOs capacity and skills to prepare feasibility and viability studies, as well as to carry out the most adequate methodology for restock and reintroduce vultures.

During the five seminar days the organizer BVCF and LPO reported on their long year working experience obtained in various Reintroduction Projects, for example the reintroduction of the Griffon and Black Vulture in France and the successful restocking of the Black Vulture in Mallorca. The programme consisted in theory lessons about the vulture reintroduction projects, IUCN guidelines, captive management, veterinarian aspects and education possibilities, and practical exercises in release, marking and monitoring techniques. Field sessions to the habitat of vultures, film shows and a visit to a local educational centre completed the seminar program. The last day was dedicated to viability studies and vision for future vulture restocking and reintroduction in the Balkan area.

The Training seminar participants during a field session monitoring vultures:

(Foto: LPO)

(Foto: LPO)

The seminar found good acceptance among the participants, who concluded that the seminar was useful for their future work. They also enjoyed the beautiful landscape of the Central Massive with lots of the Griffon, Black and even Egyptian Vultures, the companionship during the seminar and the kind hospitality of the local people and representatives of administrations.

(BVCF, Mallorca)