Man detained for poisoning vultures in Bulgaria's Balkan Mountains

A 36-year-old man has been detained in connection with the poisoning of eight vultures in the Balkan Mountains. The suspect, a livestock breeder from Kalofere, reportedly confessed to the crime. Authorities believe the birds were killed by consuming meat laced with poison, which was likely intended as bait for bears.

The incident has caused significant damage to conservation efforts in Bulgaria. Among the victims was ‘Boev’, the first bearded vulture released back into the wild as part of a long-term project to restore the species. The poisoning affected various species, including black and white-headed vultures, with carcasses found in the Central Balkan National Park, Vrachanski Balkan Park, and Madzharovo.

Experts from the Green Balkans Rescue Center noted that the scale of the crime is larger than expected, impacting vulture populations across southern Bulgaria. During autopsies, specialists reported severe physical symptoms, including dizziness and skin irritation, due to the potency of the toxin. Officials are now calling for a review of how livestock farming is managed within national parks to prevent future conflicts between agriculture and wildlife protection.