SmartBirds
The young Egyptian Vultures from the Class of 2026 of the “Vulture School” programme have successfully completed their adaptation and training period and are now flying freely in the skies above the Eastern Rhodope Mountains.
Picture: Chris Eley
After spending several weeks adapting in the release aviary near the village of Potochnitsa, the birds took their first step towards life in the wild. However, the most critical period begins immediately after release. During their first week of freedom, the young vultures are still inexperienced, learning the skills necessary for survival while facing numerous challenges.
Picture: Volen Arkumarev – BSPB
Throughout this important stage, a team of BSPB experts, supported by dedicated volunteers, stayed close to the birds. Thanks to the GPS/GSM transmitters fitted to each vulture, specialists were able to monitor their movements in real time, locate them in the field, and regularly assess their condition.
Picture: Todor Ivanov
Their lack of experience often led some of the young vultures to choose unsuitable places to spend the night, remaining on the ground and becoming vulnerable to predators. In such cases, experts and volunteers intervened promptly, gently flushing the birds from the ground and guiding them towards inaccessible cliffs and trees where they could roost safely.
These efforts paid off. All young vultures successfully learned the basic skills for safe roosting and now regularly use suitable overnight resting sites. Even more encouragingly, the birds have started visiting the supplementary feeding site in the area, where they feed alongside wild Egyptian Vultures. There, they gradually become integrated into the local vulture population, observe the behaviour of their wild counterparts, and acquire valuable skills that will help them thrive independently in the wild.
Picture: Volen Arkumarev – BSPB
The successful release of the Class of 2026 marks another important milestone in the efforts to restore the population of the globally endangered Egyptian Vulture in Bulgaria. Over the coming months, the young birds will continue preparing for their greatest challenge yet—their first migration to Africa. The BSPB team will continue to track their journeys and share the most exciting moments along the way.
Picture: Todor Ivanov
BSPB extends its sincere gratitude to the volunteers who dedicated their time, enthusiasm, and invaluable support during one of the most exciting periods of the year for our team: Dobromir Yordanov, Nikola Shimbov, Maria Kuchkovich, Todor Ivanov, Nikola Trangov, and Adelina Anastasova. Thanks to their commitment, the young vultures received the support they needed during their first days of freedom.
We would also like to thank the students from the schools in Potochnitsa, Strandzhevo, and Zvezdel, who became godparents to the young Egyptian Vultures this year. By choosing names for the birds and showing their care and support, they became part of the story of the Class of 2026 and ambassadors for the conservation of one of Europe’s most endangered birds of prey.
“Vulture School” is a programme coordinated by BSPB and implemented in close cooperation with Green Balkans, Prague Zoo, and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). The initiative aims to support the recovery of the Egyptian Vulture population in Bulgaria by releasing young birds raised in zoos and rescue centres and preparing them for an independent life in the wild.
Activities in 2026 are carried out with the financial support of Heidelberg Materials Bulgaria, BirdLife International, and the Green Belt of Southeast Bulgaria project, funded by the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme (ELP). The programme is managed by the Cambridge Conservation Initiative, a partnership between the University of Cambridge and leading international conservation organisations working to protect biodiversity. The University of Cambridge and the Endangered Landscapes Programme are supported by Arcadia, the charitable fund of Peter Baldwin and Lisbet Rausing.
