In a sad event for wildlife protection, a Griffon Vulture has died from electrocution less than 24 hours after being released into the wild. The bird was part of an important European Union project to save this species on Cyprus. It died after landing on a dangerous, uninsulated electricity pole. This shows how human-made threats continue to endanger these rare birds.
The vulture was involved in the "LIFE with Vultures" program. This project, run by several conservation groups, brings vultures from Spain to increase the very small population in Cyprus. This particular bird was first released in mid-2024 but needed rescue last October when it got into trouble. After six weeks of veterinary care and tests confirming it was healthy, it was set free again last Thursday.
The bird had a GPS tracker, so scientists could follow its journey. It flew about forty kilometers, trying to reach its flock in the mountains of Pafos and Limassol. Sadly, it never arrived. The next day, the tracker showed no movement, and the bird was found dead. An investigation proved it was electrocuted by an 11,000-volt power line. This type of accident is common for large birds because the design of these poles is perfect for them to land on, but also deadly.
The rescue team was heartbroken. They said this incident shows how difficult life is for these vultures. "We warned that electrocution and poisoning are the two biggest threats," they stated. "Both are caused by humans." These dangers can destroy years of expensive and careful conservation work in a single moment.
This loss highlights the major challenges of restoring wildlife. While rescuing and healing individual birds is successful, they need a safe environment to survive long-term. Experts say the future of Griffon Vultures in Cyprus depends on making power lines safe and stopping the use of poison in the countryside. Despite this tragedy, conservationists remain hopeful. They believe that with the right protections, the vulture population can grow and return to its old habitats. However, each death reminds us that saving a species requires more than healing birds—it requires changing the world they live in.