The Egyptian Vulture New LIFE project has emerged as a major international conservation initiative aimed at protecting the endangered Egyptian vulture, Europe’s only long-distance migratory vulture, through coordinated action across breeding grounds and migration flyways spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Led by the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds, the project brings together partners and stakeholders from Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Jordan, Kenya, Nigeria, Turkey, and the United Kingdom to address the alarming decline of the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), a species increasingly threatened by poisoning, electrocution, illegal persecution, and habitat loss.
Although the majority of Europe’s Egyptian vultures are concentrated in Spain, the small Balkan population remains critically endangered and plays a crucial ecological role by connecting Asian and Iberian populations. Conservationists warn that the disappearance of these Balkan birds would severely undermine the long-term survival and genetic connectivity of the species.
In response to these urgent challenges, the Egyptian Vulture New LIFE project implemented a wide range of coordinated conservation measures targeting both breeding areas and migratory routes. The initiative focused on reducing mortality risks, reinforcing vulnerable populations, strengthening monitoring systems, and promoting collaboration among governments, conservation organizations, and local communities.
The project has already achieved significant results. Breeding productivity has increased in key areas, thousands of stakeholders have participated in awareness and conservation activities, and more than two million people have been reached through education and outreach campaigns.
Project partners emphasized that the initiative demonstrates how international cooperation and science-based conservation action can help reverse biodiversity loss and secure the future of endangered migratory species.
The Egyptian Vulture New LIFE project is also featured in the LIFE programme’s previous editions and has been recognized among important European conservation initiatives highlighting innovative and cross-border environmental action.
For more information about the project and the LIFE programme, visit:
https://www.lifeawards.eu/project/egyptian-vulture-new-life/
Follow the campaign online using the hashtag #LIFEAwards26
