# Vulture poisoning in Central Balkan National Park

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/vulture-poisoning-in-central-balkan-national-park
> Updated: 2026-08-24T09:41:46.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 4.

Authorities in Bulgaria are investigating a mass poisoning event in the Central Balkan National Park that killed several rare birds. The incident involved the death of eight vultures—including four black, three griffon, and one bearded vulture—as well as one raven.

One of the victims, a young bearded vulture named Boev, was a significant loss to conservation efforts. Boev had been hatched at the Ostrava Zoo and was part of the international Bearded Vulture LIFE repatriation project, representing the first time the species had been seen in the wild in Bulgaria in over 50 years.

Investigators suspect the birds died after consuming a cow carcass that had been intentionally laced with poison, a method sometimes used by livestock owners to deter predators. A 36-year-old man, identified as Lalyo Bichev, has been arrested. While prosecutors requested pre-trial detention, the Plovdiv District Court recently granted Bichev release on a 3,000 euro bail. The court noted that Bichev is a firefighter, a father of three, and has no prior criminal record. The defense has indicated they will appeal the bail amount, describing it as “unaffordable for the defendant’s family.”

The Plovdiv District Prosecutor's Office is overseeing the case under laws protecting endangered species, with potential penalties including up to five years in prison. Experts from the Green Balkans Rescue Center noted that the scale of the crime is larger than expected, impacting vulture populations across southern Bulgaria. Officials are now calling for a review of livestock farming management within national parks to prevent future conflicts between agriculture and wildlife protection.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-24: Plovdiv Court grants 3,000 euro bail to man accused of poisoning eight vultures

A Plovdiv court released Lalyo Bichev on 3,000 euro bail, accused of poisoning eight protected vultures, including a rare Bearded vulture, in Bulgaria's Central Balkan region.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/plovdiv-court-grants-bail-to-man-accused-of-poisoning-eight-vultures

### 2026-08-21: Bearded vulture from Ostrava Zoo dies in suspected poisoning in Bulgaria

A bearded vulture from Ostrava Zoo, which successfully completed a 14,100-km flight across Europe, has died in Bulgaria due to suspected illegal poisoning alongside several other vulture species.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bearded-vulture-from-ostrava-zoo-dies-in-suspected-poisoning-in-bulgaria

### 2026-08-21: Man detained for poisoning vultures in Bulgaria's Balkan Mountains

A 36-year-old man has been detained for poisoning eight vultures in Bulgaria's Balkan Mountains using toxic bait intended for bears, threatening long-term species restoration efforts.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/man-detained-for-poisoning-vultures-in-bulgarias-balkan-mountains

### 2026-08-18: Central Balkan National Park: Eight rare vultures poisoned

Eight birds, including several rare vulture species and a symbolic bearded vulture, were killed by suspected poisoning in Bulgaria's Central Balkan National Park. An arrest has been made.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/endangered-vultures-poisoned-in-central-balkan-national-park

---
Cite as: Vulture poisoning in Central Balkan National Park. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/vulture-poisoning-in-central-balkan-national-park