New VCF president, the parentage of Bearded Vulture in the UK revealed, Egyptian Vulture returns to Europe two months after autumn migration and more.

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** Vulture Conservation Foundation news bulletin
December 2020
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** Let's make 2021 yet another vulturific year!
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Indeed, 2020, was a challenging year for all of us, and it did affect our work at the Vulture Conservation Foundation (VCF) ([link removed]) . Still, we adapted, worked hard and managed to accomplish positive outcomes for each European vulture species. Among other things, we released 21 captive-bred Bearded Vultures across the Alps, France and Spain, we helped boost Griffon Vulture populations in the Mediterranean and beyond, we monitored the movements of Egyptian Vultures to inform more accurate conservation actions, and secured and transported several Cinereous Vultures to Bulgaria and France to reintroduce the species. Another significant milestone we achieved was attaining the BalkanDetox LIFE project ([link removed]) , which follows up on our previous work to combat wildlife poisoning, vultures' biggest threat, across seven Balkan countries. Finally, just before the end of the year, we received more great news as the Dutch Tax
Administration officially recognised the VCF as a Public Benefit Organization, granting us the ANBI status ([link removed]) !

With the new year, we will continue to work diligently alongside our many partners and colleagues to make 2021 yet another vulturific year!

Overview of Griffon Vulture conservation in 2020 ([link removed])
Overview of Egyptian Vulture conservation in 2020 ([link removed])
Overview of Cinereous Vulture conservation in 2020 ([link removed])
Overview of Bearded Vulture conservation in 2020 ([link removed])


** A new president for the VCF
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As of 2021, the VCF has a new president! Daniel Hegglin, who has been the president since 2012 and helped grow the scale and scope of the VCF's conservation work across Europe, is stepping down. Hans Pohlmann who has been in the board since 2017 was elected as his successor, and is the new president of the VCF. Daniel will remain in the management board and overtake from Hans the Vice-President position. We want to thank Daniel for all he has achieved for the VCF and wish Hans all the best with the new role he has attained!

A new president for the VCF: Daniel Hegglin hands over to Hans Pohlmann ([link removed])


** Latest news about Europe's
four vulture species
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** Bearded Vulture
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The Bearded Vulture egg-laying season in captivity started very early on this time! ([link removed])

Research review: Study demonstrates the high risk of lead poisoning in birds of prey, especially Griffon Vultures, in Spain ([link removed])

European vulture comeback boosted by new agreement ([link removed])

Meet the Bearded Vultures that flew above seas and travelled vast distances in 2020 ([link removed])

Farewell Dama: Bearded Vulture breeding female that produced the second-highest number of chicks in captivity dies at 32 years old ([link removed])

VCF's Alex Llopis receives Tom Cade Award! ([link removed])

Preliminary results from the 2020 International Observation Days for the Bearded Vulture ([link removed])


** Griffon Vulture
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2020 Annual Griffon Vulture Census in Sardinia shows a gradual increase of individuals ([link removed])

Shot Griffon Vulture from Crete operated upon for the chance to fly in the wild again ([link removed])

Research review: Study demonstrates the high risk of lead poisoning in birds of prey, especially Griffon Vultures, in Spain ([link removed])

European vulture comeback boosted by new agreement ([link removed])


** Egyptian Vulture
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Research Review: Winter movement patterns of the globally endangered Egyptian Vulture in south-western Europe ([link removed])

Research review: Study demonstrates the high risk of lead poisoning in birds of prey, especially Griffon Vultures, in Spain ([link removed])

European vulture comeback boosted by new agreement ([link removed])


** Cinereous Vulture
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One step in the right direction — Hunting licenses suspended in Spanish estate following serious poisoning incident ([link removed])

Research review: Study demonstrates the high risk of lead poisoning in birds of prey, especially Griffon Vultures, in Spain ([link removed])

European vulture comeback boosted by new agreement ([link removed])


** Latest news from our
vulture conservation projects
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The ([link removed]) LIFE RE-Vultures ([link removed]) project, led by Rewilding Europe, aims to support the recovery of Cinereous and Griffon Vulture populations in the cross border Rhodope Mountain region.

Latest news
Highest-ever number of roosting Griffon Vultures counted in the Rhodope Mountains ([link removed])

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The LIFE with Vultures ([link removed]) project, led by BirdLife Cyprus, aims to save the threatened Griffon Vulture population in Cyprus by tackling key threats and restocking their population.

Latest news
WATCH: The story of a young Cypriot Griffon Vulture named Kostis ([link removed])

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L ([link removed]) IFE GypConnect ([link removed]) led by LPO and co-funded by the MAVA Foundation aims to create a breeding population in France's Massif Central and Department of the Drôme to connect the Alpine and Pyrenean populations of Bearded Vultures.

Latest news
The eighth edition of La Plume du Life, the LIFE GYPCONNECT's newsletter, released ([link removed])

GPS and genetic monitoring: Evaluating the connectivity of Bearded Vulture populations between different massifs in France ([link removed])

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The Balkan Anti-Poisoning Project ([link removed]) is bringing together stakeholders in five Balkan countries to tackle illegal wildlife poisoning.

Latest news
Remembering the illegal wildlife poisoning case that could lead to the first conviction of its kind in Croatia! ([link removed])

Parentage of the Bearded Vulture that visited the UK in 2020 finally revealed
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You probably already heard about the Bearded Vulture nicknamed "Vigo" that toured the UK in 2020. We previously revealed the sex, age and origin ([link removed]) of this vulture following genetic analysis with feathers, and we are thrilled to finally reveal the parentage of the Bearded Vulture ([link removed]) . It turns out that "Vigo" is actually "Flysch" from the Haute-Savoie, and has a wild-hatched father and a captive-bred and released mother.

If you observed or attempted to observe the Bearded Vulture in the UK please participate in this survey ([link removed]) to support our Bearded Vulture conservation efforts in Europe.

Bearded Vulture "Vigo" is actually "Flysch" from Haute Savoie, and the full history of the bird now published in British Birds ([link removed])
Egyptian Vulture returns to Europe after spending only two months in Africa
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An Egyptian Vulture that spent almost a year in recovery and received feather transplants to be able to fly again in the wild ([link removed]) has been surprising us with its incredible movements.

After its release in the Douro, the Egyptian Vulture named Fangueiro explored the surrounding regions and developed its food exploration capabilities. Considering its troubling past, we were concerned whether this vulture would survive in the wild, let alone migrate to Africa. In the end, the vulture managed to carry out its first autumn migration to Africa in late October 2020 against all odds ([link removed]) ! After spending a short period of time heading south toward its wintering grounds, Fangueiro started behaving unusually and started heading north, reaching Morocco and Algeria. Then, at the end of December, just before the new year, Fangueiro crossed the Strait of Gibraltar once again and returned to Europe ([link removed]) , after spending only two months in Africa, which is quite unusual compared to the
typical behaviour of the species. What will Fangueiro do next? You can follow the movements of the vulture by visiting our Egyptian Vulture online maps ([link removed]) .

We here at the Vulture Conservation Foundation follow the movements of several vultures as part of different projects. You can track the movements of all the European vulture species we tagged within our different projects and regions by visiting our online public maps ([link removed]) .

Bearded Vulture online maps ([link removed])
Cinereous Vulture online maps ([link removed])
Griffon Vulture online maps ([link removed])
Watch our latest videos
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Photo credits: Vulture Conservation Foundation, Hansruedi Weyrich, Hristo Peshev/ FWFF, LIFE Under Griffon Wings, Bruno Berthemy, Will Bowell and LIFE with Vultures
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If you have any news you would like to share, please contact Eleni Karatzia (mailto:[email protected]) , Events, Outreach and Communications Officer.

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