Croatia plans reintroduction of the cinereous vulture

Cinereous vulture

Croatia is taking initial steps towards the possible reintroduction of the cinereous vulture, a move that could play an important role in strengthening conservation efforts across Europe.

A stakeholder workshop held in Zagreb in March, organised by the Biom Association, brought together key institutions, experts and organisations to examine the feasibility of returning the species to the country.

The initiative builds on Croatia’s long-standing success in conserving griffon vultures and aims to assess whether conditions are suitable for establishing a stable population of the cinereous vulture.

Participants included representatives from government bodies, scientific institutions, conservation groups and sectors such as agriculture, forestry, hunting and energy. Discussions focused on habitat suitability, food availability, risks and the practical requirements for reintroduction.

The Kvarner region was identified as the most promising area for a potential reintroduction, particularly Cres, Učka and the island of Sveti Grgur, which historically hosted nesting sites. These locations offer suitable habitats, existing feeding infrastructure and relatively low levels of disturbance.

However, several risks were highlighted, including poisoning, electrocution, illegal hunting, forest fires and energy infrastructure. Experts stressed the importance of careful spatial planning, reducing disturbance and supporting traditional livestock farming.

Ensuring a stable food supply and managing threats were identified as critical conditions for success. Existing feeding systems for griffon vultures could be adapted, while measures such as switching to non-lead ammunition and improving monitoring were recommended.

Financial and organisational challenges remain significant. Any reintroduction project would require substantial international funding, with the EU LIFE programme seen as the most viable option. However, time constraints exist due to the current funding cycle ending in 2027.

Experts concluded that reintroducing the cinereous vulture in Croatia could have wider European benefits by helping reconnect fragmented populations. Croatia’s geographic position and existing conservation infrastructure were seen as strong advantages.

The next step is the preparation of a formal feasibility study in line with national legislation. While the project is still at an early stage, the workshop confirmed that Croatia has a solid foundation to consider the return of one of Europe’s largest birds of prey.