The first platform for supplementary artificial feeding of Egyptian vultures was build

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Preparatory work related to the supplementary artificial feeding of Egyptian Vultures breeding in areas with scarce food supply started within the LIFE+ project “The return of the Neophron” (LIFE10 NAT/BG/000152). Since the arrival from Africa, breeding pairs will be provided with supplementary food on special wooden platforms. These vulture “restaurants” will be located on trees or rocks with the aim to stay intact from terrestrial carnivores. The first platform was built in mid December in the Eastern Rhodopes.

Each 2–3 days, vultures will be provided by 1–2 kg meat (stocked in a refrigerator) from perished domesticated animals. This action aims to stimulate breeding of the Egyptian Vultures. In the last 8 years, 29% of the breeding pairs in Bulgaria do not produce eggs. The reasons for not breeding are diverse, however major importance should be made on food availability needed for the nourishment of the chicks.

The aim of the platform built in December is to serve as a vulture “restaurant” for a pair of Egyptian Vultures from the area of Madzharovo. This pair has not succeeded to breed during the past 4 years. The project team hopes that the supplementary feeding may stimulate it to start breeding again. Other platforms will be constructed in two more areas in Eastern Rhodopes and on several sites in North-eastern Bulgaria, where in 2011 only 8 pairs of Egyptian Vultures were recorded.

The project „The return of the Neophron” (LIFE10 NAT/BG/000152) is funded by the LIFE+ program of the EC and Leventis Foundation.


For more information:
Ivaylo Angelov
Conservation Officer for Bulgaria
ivaylo.angelov@bspb.org