After five years, the vulture is breeding again in Cyprus. According to the Director of BirdLife Cyprus, Despo Apostolidou, who spoke on the Alpha News program, this is a joyful development resulting from a long-standing effort to restore the species, as its population on the island had been reduced to zero. The greatest population losses occurred in the 1980s and 1990s, and the goal now is to gradually reach 200 birds over the next few years.

According to Ms. Apostolidou, three chicks are now hatching after five years during which breeding in Cyprus had come to a standstill, since we ended up mass-poisoning the vultures and losing birds that were mature and capable of breeding.

Now, these nesting vultures are the result of efforts to relocate vultures from Crete 10 years ago and, more recently, from Spain, noted Ms. Apostolidou, adding, however, that BirdLife Cyprus is not complacent “because the threats are still out there.” “That is why we are continuing our efforts to protect them from the dangers of poisoning and electrocution, which are reducing their population,” she said.

Currently, there are about 36 individuals in Cyprus, 35 of which are fitted with transmitters. The one without a transmitter is a bird born in Cyprus and is, in fact, the father of one of the chicks.

“Efforts will be made to fit the chicks that are about to hatch with a ring and a transmitter,” said Ms. Apostolidou, so that their movements can be tracked, especially during the first few months when they may need assistance.

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