SmartBirds
We are deeply saddened to share the news that Nika, an Egyptian Vulture born in Prague Zoo and released in 2024 in the Eastern Rhodopes (Bulgaria) as part of the Egyptian Vulture restocking program, died of electrocution during her autumn migration in Türkiye.
Nika quickly adapted to life in the wild after her release, successfully completing her first migration to Saudi Arabia, where she spent the winter of 2024–2025. This spring, she returned directly to her release site in Bulgaria, spending the entire summer near the supplementary feeding station maintained by BSPB, together with other released and wild non-breeding Egyptian Vultures.
In late September, following the natural rhythm of the species, Nika began her southward journey to Africa. After crossing the Bosphorus, she reached northern Türkiye, where she was unfortunately caught by darkness in an open agricultural area crossed by a hazardous powerline. Seeking a place to roost for the night, Nika landed on a hazardous type of pylon — a fatal decision that led to her electrocution.
Upon receiving the signal of her transmitter, BSPB immediately contacted Doğa Derneği (BirdLife Türkiye), their partner in Turkey, as well as Eskişehir Zoo. A dedicated team from Eskişehir Zoo reached the site within three hours, only to confirm the tragic end of this young vulture.
Electrocution remains one of the main causes of mortality for the endangered Egyptian Vulture, accounting for around 20% of all recorded deaths. In Turkey, thousands of birds — including protected species — die each year on unsafe power infrastructure.
Under the Egyptian Vulture New LIFE project, hundreds of kilometers of powerlines along key migration corridors and congregation sites have been surveyed, and 348 hazardous pylons have been insulated as pilot measures in Türkiye. However, much larger investments and coordinated efforts are urgently needed to secure the power grid for both wildlife and people.
Reducing the risk of electrocution not protects endangered species like the Egyptian Vulture but it also brings significant technical, economic, and safety benefits for people. When birds such as vultures, storks, or eagles are electrocuted, they often cause short circuits and power outages, leading to costly repairs and service interruptions for local communities. By insulating hazardous powerlines and retrofitting dangerous poles, electricity providers can improve the stability and reliability of the power network, ensuring a more consistent energy supply and reduce the risk of wildfires.
BSPB express its gratitude to the teams of Eskişehir Zoo and Doğa Derneği for their immediate response and support in investigating the cause of Nika’s death. The information gathered will guide future conservation efforts aimed at preventing similar tragedies.
The conservation work for the Egyptian vulture is carried out under the “From the Iron Curtain to the Green Belt” project, funded by the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme (ELSP) that is managed by the Cambridge Conservation Initiative – a collaboration between the Chancellor Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge of The Old Schools and leading internationally-focused biodiversity conservation organisations. The University and the ELSP are supported by Arcadia – a charitable fund of Peter Baldwin and Lisbet Rausing.
