Rare Black Vulture Electrocuted in Eastern Rhodope Mountains

Jerusalem, 11 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) -- Sofia (BTA) – A rare black vulture released in the Eastern Rhodope Mountains this spring was found dead after being electrocuted, the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB) reported.

The incident occurred on December 4. At that time, experts received disturbing signals from the transmitter with which the bird was tagged. Lack of movement and an uncharacteristic body position were detected. It is believed that reduced visibility in foggy conditions was the cause.

The vulture, a male, was three years old and was released in April this year along with five other birds of the rare species.

A few days later, a BSPB team discovered a young griffon vulture, also killed by electrocution on an uninsulated power line in a neighboring area.

Electric shocks are one of the main threats to many of the rare and endangered bird species in Bulgaria, the BSPB said. So far, thousands of poles have been secured by Elektrorazpredelenie Yug in cooperation with the organization, but the problem has not been completely solved, experts point out.

In July 2025, a new international project under the LIFE program – “Safety Net for Birds in Southeast Europe” – began, coordinated by the electricity distribution company, within which another 8,700 dangerous poles will be insulated.

The reintroduction of black vultures is being carried out within the LIFE project “The Return of Black Vultures to the Rhodope Mountains”.

In October, the Ministry of Ecology announced that it was investigating another case of a black vulture that was shot near the northeast Bulgarian village of Zelena Morava. This is the fifth case of a black vulture being shot since the species’ recovery began in 2018, the ministry said.