A Spanish Griffon Vulture that spent 45 days recovering in a rehabilitation centre in the north, has been released back into the wild. The bird had been hospitalised since 21 October 2025 at a private wildlife treatment facility, after signals from its tracking transmitter showed unusual immobility in the Varosha area.
The vulture, one of several introduced from Spain by BirdLife Cyprus and the Game and Fauna Service in recent years, appeared inactive for hours at a time. The transmitter indicated it was initially on the roof of a building and later near a wetland in the occupied Famagusta district. BirdLife Cyprus alerted the specialised centre, which located the bird in a severely weakened and dehydrated state.
The organisation announced the bird’s release on Thursday from the Kyrenia heights, emphasising the importance of joint efforts to reduce threats such as poisoning and electrocution so that the species can continue to recover and reoccupy historical colonies.
The vulture will now be monitored closely to assess its health and movements during its return to the wild.
According to BirdLife Cyprus, the bird had first been released in July 2024 as part of the “Life with Vultures” project designed to strengthen the island’s Griffon Vulture population. In October 2025, the transmitter data showed prolonged inactivity in Varosha. The Cyprus Wildlife Research Institute, based in Kyrenia district, was notified and located the bird in poor condition. Following intensive treatment, veterinary care and full tests for toxins, lead and pathogens, the vulture was deemed fit for release after six weeks.
The Cyprus Wildlife Research Institute said the bird’s return to the wild marks the successful conclusion of a demanding rescue and rehabilitation effort requiring cooperation across the island. Today, vultures are mainly found in the southwest, in the mountainous regions of Paphos and Limassol. As the population slowly grows, conservationists expect the birds to begin exploring and potentially recolonising former breeding grounds across Cyprus, including areas such as the Kyrenia mountains where the species once thrived. This expansion reinforces the need for island-wide collaboration, rapid response capacity and ongoing work to minimise threats.
A total of 45 vultures are currently free in Cyprus. Those imported in recent years to support the native Griffon Vulture population were donated by the Regional Government of Andalusia.