The Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) is a migratory bird of prey classified as Globally Endangered by IUCN and listed in Category 1 of the CMS Raptors MoU. The species populations have been rapidly declining and especially in the Balkans where the numbers has decreased by over 80% in the last 30 years. The Eurasian population is migratory, spending the winter (from October to March) in Africa. It has been proven that each year fewer birds return to the Balkans from their wintering grounds, which is clearly related to mortality along the flyway due to various threats which include poisoning, electrocution, and direct persecution.
The project aimed to facilitate the undertaking of conservation measures for the migratory populations of Egyptian Vultures wintering in Eastern and Central Africa.
The Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB)/ BirdLife Bulgaria
Expected conservation results: • Valuable contribution to the knowledge on the wintering grounds of the Egyptian Vulture. • Evidence for the main threats of the species in the sites for concentration (including pilot information on the dimensions of bird crimes related to the Egyptian Vulture); • Preliminary data on the stakeholder’s attitudes in the hot spots for the species; • Enhanced national, regional and international cooperation; • Updated information on the status of the breeding/wintering/conservation of the Egyptian Vulture.
To facilitate the implementation of conservation measures for the migratory populations of Egyptian Vultures wintering in Eastern and Central Africa;
EU LIFE +
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Training seminar and survey in Ethiopia
Seven participants from Sudan, Chad, Ethiopia, Somalia and Djibouti were trained on how to count and map Egyptian Vultures, their nests, and how to collect baseline information for limiting factors for population. In addition, ‘Best Practice Guidelines’ and ‘Field Protocols’ for the fieldwork with Egyptian Vulture were prepared.
Supporting post-training surveys of the trainees
Trainees from Ethiopia, Sudan and Chad completed research surveys on the species. Besides collecting data, the surveys aimed to build capacity of conservationists in Ethiopia, Sudan and Chad.
Training seminar in Bulgaria
Egyptian Vulture experts from Bulgaria delivered training on vulture research techniques and as an outcome, priority knowledge gaps were identified for the population on the Balkans. Around 30 participants from Europe and Africa also had an opportunity to visit the core population of the species in the Balkans and directly see how the system is working (real ‘know how’ lessons).