SmartBirds
In 2022, five Egyptian Vultures were transported from Lebanon to Prague Zoo to become part of the important captive-breeding program for the species. All these birds had tough luck in life but thanks to international efforts they recovered well and live their new lives. Antonin Vaidl from Prague Zoo – the coordinator of the Egyptian Vulture captive-breeding program, shared some happy news for these Egyptian Vultures: three birds have found partners and are ready to breed. One of them even laid two eggs in 2023, which unfortunately did not hatch, but hopes are high for a successful breeding season in 2024.
Let us remind you of the background of these Egyptian Vultures:
Anahita is a female born in Bulgaria and tagged by BSPB/BirdLife Bulgaria with a GPS transmitter. She was shot down in Lebanon, but thanks to the immediate response of SPNL/BirdLife Lebanon and the Anti-Poaching Unit, she was saved. Her story thrilled millions of people around the world. Anahita was the first to take the flight from Beirut to Prague, where she underwent another surgery to remove the metal implants from her leg and some of the lead pellets. Today, Anahita is fully recovered; she can now use both legs and is placed in a dating aviary to find a partner and breed.
In September 2021, SPNL’s Anti-Poaching Unit saved three adult Egyptian Vultures illegally held on a farm. One of these individuals was released, but the other two remained in captivity. The x-ray examination showed that both individuals had been shot and had lead pellets in their bodies and fractures of the wings; therefore, they could not be released in the wild. With the support of BSPB, these individuals were transported to Prague Zoo in June 2022 to become part of the captive-breeding program for the species, coordinated by Antonin Vaidl from Prague Zoo. One of these males found a lovely female and hopefully will breed shortly.
In April 2022, SPNL’s Anti-Poaching Unit managed to confiscate two adult Egyptian Vultures illegally held on a farm in the north. The vet examination revealed that both individuals had also been shot and had lead pellets or old fractures and, therefore, could not be released in the wild. After a few months, all the documents were acquired, and in December 2022, these two individuals embarked on a journey north to Prague Zoo. The male now has a partner in the zoo and is separated in a breeding aviary. The female also found a partner and laid two eggs this breeding season, which unfortunately did not hatch.
Here at BSPB, we keep our fingers crossed for successfully breeding Egyptian Vultures in captivity. These individuals had lost their freedom, but their offspring will one day be released in Bulgaria and will ensure the survival of their species in the wild!
This is a story of success and an excellent example of international collaboration that underlines the importance of the flyway conservation approach for threatened migratory species!
The rescue and care for the Egyptian Vultures in Lebanon and their transportation to Prague Zoo were done in the framework of the Egyptian Vulture New LIFE project (LIFE16 NAT/BG/ 000874), funded by the EU and coordinated by BSPB/BirdLife Bulgaria.
