Environmental advocates in Cyprus released Griffon vultures into the wild today, Friday, in a latest attempt to increase the numbers of these endangered birds. Fourteen vultures from Spain were released in the hills north of Limassol, bringing the total number of vultures to approximately 29. Several of these birds were equipped with satellite tracking devices on Thursday, the day before their release, to monitor their movements.
Last year, four organizations released 15 Griffon vultures, also known as Egyptian vultures, into the wild, but only 11 of them survived. Environmental advocates have previously made several attempts to increase the vulture population, including importing them from the island of Crete.
These vultures are a natural means of waste disposal as they feed on dead animals, an effective way to prevent the spread of diseases. However, they can die if they consume a carcass that has been deliberately poisoned by farmers targeting foxes that threaten livestock. The use of poisoned bait in Cyprus is illegal, but it still occurs. The vulture population on the island, located in the eastern Mediterranean, has become the lowest in Europe after previously being significant, as accidental poisoning and changes in farming techniques have left them struggling with food shortages.
