The bearded vulture has disappeared from the continental part of the Balkan Peninsula. The last known pairs nested in the “Tikveš” Reserve in Macedonia and the “Dadia” Reserve in Greece until the late 1980s. The last known bird was observed around 2003 in the area between Greece and Macedonia, in the Kožuf/Dzena region – likely the bird from Tikveš.

Today, there are fewer than ten pairs/occupied territories on the island of Crete. The nearest known breeding sites of the species are about 600 km southeast of Bulgaria, in Turkey. It is estimated that there are between 200–250 pairs there.

In the Alps – 1,000 km away, the nearest territory to Bulgaria is in Austria. The species was reintroduced there after the 1980s, and currently there are about 60 nests/occupied territories. They are spread across different countries – Switzerland, Italy, France, and Austria.

In the Pyrenees – between Spain and France – there are about 120 pairs/occupied territories. This is an autochthonous population, the only one to have naturally survived until the end of the 20th century, when there were around 40 pairs. Its support, protection, and recovery have led to today’s stable population, which has likely reached the mountain’s full capacity.

On the island of Corsica, the species is also on the brink of extinction. From 10 pairs in 2009, the number dropped to just 3 pairs by 2020. Currently, there are 16–18 individuals living there.

The bearded vulture is the subject of reintroduction efforts in three places in Spain – Andalusia (Sierra Nevada), the Cantabrian Mountains in the northwest, and Maestrazgo in the eastern part of the country. All these projects have had moderate success so far. In Eastern Europe, the species is found in the Caucasus, but it is believed to be in decline, especially in areas where no targeted conservation measures are being implemented.

On May 17, 2025, we will begin releasing bearded vultures into the wild in Bulgaria. The first three birds will be released in the “Blue Rocks” Nature Park using the hacking method (artificial nest technique).