The griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), a species that has been absent from Romania for more than 70 years, is returning to the country through an international conservation initiative. Once a familiar presence in Romanian skies, this remarkable bird is now reintroduced to restore both ecological balance and biodiversity in the region.
An Essential Species for Healthy Ecosystems
The griffon vulture is a large and impressive bird, with a wingspan of 2.4–2.8 meters and a weight of 6–11 kilograms. Adults are identifiable by their pale head, broad wings, short tail, and distinctive white ruff at the base of the neck.
These birds are scavengers, feeding exclusively on animal carcasses, and do not hunt live prey. By removing carrion from the environment, griffon vultures play a critical role in maintaining ecosystem health and reducing the risk of disease, earning them the description of “nature’s sanitation workers.”
Beeld: © Cosmin Dumitrache
Reintroduction in the Făgăraș Mountains
The reintroduction project is led by Foundation Conservation Carpathia and ING Bank, in partnership with the Milvus Group and the Argeș Veterinary Authority, with the support of the local communities of Rucăr, Lerești, and Valea Mare Pravăț.
The first griffon vultures, brought from Spain, are currently housed in a specialized acclimatization aviary in the Făgăraș Mountains. After adapting to their new environment, they will be gradually released into the wild, where they are expected to remain near the release site and return regularly to designated feeding points.
Beeld: © Cosmin Dumitrache
Vulture Species Historically Found in Romania
Historically, Romania was home to four vulture species:
Bullet List
- Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus)
- Cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus)
- Bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)
- Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus)
Today, the griffon vulture is the first species targeted for reintroduction through collaborative conservation efforts.
Beeld: © Cosmin Dumitrache
Future Conservation Plans
If successful, the project will expand to include the reintroduction of other vulture species, such as the cinereous vulture and the bearded vulture, further contributing to Romania’s biodiversity and ecological stability.
Beeld: © Cosmin Dumitrache
Supporting Nature and Local Communities
A visitor center, “The Vulture House,” will be established in Valea Mare Pravăț to promote environmental education, wildlife conservation, and sustainable tourism in the Făgăraș Mountains. Together with existing nature centers in Rucăr and Lerești, it will highlight the region’s rich biodiversity and demonstrate how collaboration between conservation organizations, local authorities, and communities can produce long-term ecological and social benefits.
The return of the griffon vulture is an important step toward restoring the natural balance of Romania’s mountain ecosystems and reflects the potential of coordinated conservation initiatives to safeguard the country’s wildlife heritage.
Beeld: © Cosmin Dumitrache
Content based on information provided by Foundation Conservation Carpathia.