Italy advances griffon vulture reintroduction projects

Conservation efforts for griffon vultures are progressing across Italy through several reintroduction initiatives. At the Cornino Lake Regional Nature Reserve, three young vultures were released into the wild following health checks and medical care conducted in collaboration with the University of Udine. A fourth vulture, a weakened female named Mara, is currently under observation and is expected to be released in the coming days after recovering from malnutrition and infection.

In Magliano de’ Marsi, Rewilding Apennines and the Carabinieri Biodiversità are preparing for the “soft release” of 25 griffon vultures that arrived from Spain in March. This process involves a gradual transition to the wild to minimize stress, with each bird equipped with a GPS device to monitor movement, nesting, and feeding habits. This initiative is part of a larger three-year project aiming to release approximately 60 vultures. To ensure the safety of the species, conservationists are also working to prevent poisoning through field patrols and community education.