FIRST PHASE RESULTS OF THE EGYPTIAN VULTURE MONITORING IN ALBANIA

The preliminary data on the Egyptian vulture population has been gathered by our team after an intensive monitoring week in the region of Gjirokastra, the Drino Valley and Kurvelesh. Out of 10 monitored territories by two research teams led by PPNEA experts, together with the data provided by national and international partners, 5 pairs of the last breeding vulture in Albania were identified, a result which will surely change during the next monitoring sessions. Last year, the Egyptian vulture population in Albania was 6 pairs and 3 individuals, leading us to believe that more individuals are yet to be found. At this first monitoring session for 2021 carried out by PPNEA, AOS and RAPA Gjirokaster, we were joined also by volunteers and members of the “Savers of Egyptian Vulture” network, who discussed with us about the overall situation around the breeding territories as well as the potential threats to the #magnificentvulture. The Egyptian vulture has always been loyal to its homeland. Those that need to change are the destructive practices which pose a threat to this rare species, such as poison baits, disturbances along the breeding territories, which our team is trying to mitigate since 2013. Until the next #FlightforSurvival, all eyes on the #magnificentvulture!