The incredible return of Griffon Vulture to Bulgaria’s Eastern Balkan Mountains

Considered extinct from the Eastern Balkan Mountains of Bulgaria in the 1970s, the Griffon Vulture has claimed the area back with 23-25 breeding pairs, distributed in five different colonies and two more frequently used roosting sites. This astonishing success was achieved through an ambitious long-term restoration program and the release of 153 vultures between 2010-2020.