Project duration: 06/2025 – 10/2025

Status: ON-GOING

The Challenge

The population of the Griffon Vulture in Cyprus, a keystone species for the environment of the island, has dramatically decreased in the last decades, from a few hundreds to only 10 birds in 2012. Conservation efforts in the last 10 years have managed to increase the population to 34 individuals while the Favourable Conservation Value for the species is estimated at 200 individuals. This highlights the need for restocking while the efforts to address the threats (especially poisoning, electrocution and collision) causing mortality to continue. 

The Solution

The project aims at enhancing the local Griffon Vulture population through a restocking activity. The birds were transported from Spanish wildlife rehabilitation centres, after their full recovery. The restocked birds are spending minimum 6 months in a special acclimatization aviary in Cyprus and will be fitted with GPS tags before their release. Awareness raising activities will complement this conservation activity. 

 

Project Deliverables

• Transport of 15 Griffon Vultures from a rehabilitation centre in Spain to Cyprus.  
• Attachment of GPS (satellite) tags on birds to monitor their movements and their well-being  
• Awareness raising activities, such as press releases, media posts, interviews and collaboration with primary schools will complement this conservation activity. 

 

Project’s Updates

• Relocation of 15 Griffon Vultures from wildlife rehabilitation centres in Spain to a special acclimatization aviary in Cyprus, January 2025
• GPS tagging of birds, June 2025

 

A bit about the Organization

Founded in 2003, BirdLife Cyprus is the most active non-governmental, non-profit nature conservation organization in Cyprus. Through science, advocacy, education and on the ground conservation work, the organization works to protect wild birds, their habitats and wider biodiversity in Cyprus. The NGO is part of BirdLife International, the global Partnership of nature conservation organizations. 

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