PONT: Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust

Protecting the common future of the Egyptian Vulture and transhumance

The Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) is a critically endangered species of vulture, with only five pairs of the species remaining in Greece. The main threat to the species is the illegal use of poisoned baits, which are used to avoid collisions with wildlife. This illegal practice has a devastating effect on the conservation of the endangered Egyptian vulture and other wildlife species such as wolves and bears, while it has a very negative impact on transhumant farmers, as their sheepdogs also fall victim to this illegal practice, leaving flocks unprotected.

Egyptian vultures have a strong link with the transhumant livestock industry, as they are heavily dependent on it for their food. However, as transhumance disappears and the poisoning of wildlife continues, we face the loss not only of an iconic species but also of a way of life recently declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

The project aims to reduce the factors leading to the use of poison baits by creating a network of informed farmers and various tools and services to prevent predator attacks, thus solving one of the main factors leading to the use of poison baits, while benefiting other species such as wolves and bears. In addition, the project aims to help promote and raise public awareness of the need to conserve transhumance as one of the best ways to protect nature, biodiversity and our cultural heritage.

The project “Protecting the common future of the Egyptian vulture and transhumance” is co-funded by the Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust (PONT), with the Greek Ornithological Society and the Ecomuseum of Zagori as main partners.

Funding source: PONT

Duration: 2023-2025

Partners: Hellenic Ornithological Society, Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust (PONT)

Prespa Ohrid Nature Trust – PONT – Conservation, Sustainability