In the whole of the Balkans, there is only one Black vultures colony left. Because of that, special efforts are needed to protect and increase this last breeding colony in the Bulgarrian Rhodope Mountains. In the Greek part
In the whole of the Balkans, there is only one Black vultures colony left. Because of that, special efforts are needed to protect and increase this last breeding colony in the Bulgarrian Rhodope Mountains. In the Greek part of the mountain chain Black vultures are breeding in Dadia Forest, but forage in the whole cross-border area. Furthermore, the project aims to contribute to the conservation of the only native griffon vulture population in Bulgaria and the few remaining breeding pairs in Northern Eastern Greece which are exploring the entire area in search of food.
The project actions will contribute to maintaining a stable or increasing populations of no less than 35 pairs of Black vultures and 80 pairs of Griffon vultures.
Black and Griffon vultures are considered as umbrella species. Their conservation will also substantially benefit other raptor species which share the same breeding and foraging habitats and main threats, especially susceptibility to poisoning. These species are indicators for healthy and intact natural habitats.
The only colony of the Black vulture on the Balkans is located in the National Park of the Dadia-Soufli-Lefkimi forest (hereafter Dadia NP) in the Greek part of the Rhodope Mountains, about 25 km from the border with Bulgaria. At the end of the 60’s the population in the Dadia NP was already low with only 4-5 pairs and 26 individuals. Between 1987 and 1993 the population increased from 6 pairs to 20 pairs breeding only in the Dadia NP, which was the only breeding population in Greece. In the period 1994- 2005 the population remained stable with 19 ± 2 pairs while since 2006 it increased to 28±.
Common and widespread in the past, the Black vulture is nowadays considered as irregular breeder in Bulgaria. The last confirmed breeding occurred in 1993 in the territory of Studen Kladenets SPA and Eastern Rhodopes w