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Within the scope of the LIFE Aegypius Return  project, the Portuguese Institute for Nature and Forest Conservation (ICNF) and several environmental associations met in c to coordinate the next steps in protecting the breeding colonies of the Cinereous Vulture ( Aegypius monachus ) in Serra da Malcata and Tejo Internacional.  Group photo ©VCF  Colonies of major importance   The ICNF Regional Directorate in Central Portugal manages two protected areas that are crucial for the

The LIFE Aegypius Return  project was invited to clarify some of the “myths of energy and the environment” at an event that brought together the main stakeholders in Portugal’s energy transition, including representatives of the industry.    EMER's 4th Transformer Station ©VCF  Task-Force for Licensing Renewable Energy Projects   In March 2024, the Portuguese government created a Task-Force for the Licensing of Renewable Energy Projects 2030 ( EMER 2030 ), with the aim of ce

In Portugal, the LIFE Aegypius Return project has been tracking the movements of dozens of Cinereous vultures ( Aegypius monachus ) and identified behaviours that suggest unexpected so cial bonds between some individuals. These are singular stories that show how friendship can emerge where it is least expected. Cinereous vultures ( Aegypius monachus ) ©Bruno Berthemy  Friendship beyond humanity   Friendship is not exclusive to humans. Other animals are also capable of formin

The soft release programme in LIFE Aegypius Return brings hope for the recovery of the Portugal’s most fragile colony . Six Cinereous Vultures ( Aegypius monachus ) were returned to the wild on 24 October in the Douro International Nature Park (PNDI). These birds, which had been rescued from the wild in a weak situation and rehabilitated, were at the acclimatisation station located in the PNDI, where they underwent a process of adaptation and loyalty to the territory - a pio

A weakened 2025 chick was rescued, rehabilitated, and released back into the wild A juvenile Cinereous Vulture – a 2025 chick – was found in a weakened state in Montemor-o-Novo, southern Portugal, on August 26. After recovery at CARAS, in Évora, it was released in the Herdade da Contenda. The projeto LIFE Aegypius Return teams are now monitoring its movements thanks to a GPS/GSM transmitter.  Cinereous Vulture Brava at CARAS ©David Rodriguez/LPN Rescue of a weakened chick

First private unfenced feeding areas for vultures approved at Herdade da Contenda — a key milestone in boosting vultures’ conservation in...

Among the victims were two birds tagged with GPS/GSM transmitters as part of the LIFE Aegypius Return project      The Cinereous...

Palombar and the Portuguese and Spanish authorities are stepping up their collaboration to monitor Portugal's most fragile Cinereous...

Herdade do Monte da Ribeira,  the national authority, and LIFE Aegypius Return partners join forces to protect this endangered species. ...

Another year of intense work at Faia Brava. The management of a property like Faia Brava is characterized by daily activities that are...

This year we started several projects, which are now in the development and implementation phase. Find out about all our recent actions....

The LIFE Aegypius Return project closes its second breeding season with optimism The LIFE Aegypius Return project began with the aim of...

Arçã, Alfavaca, Azedinha and Almeirão: these are the names given to the four Cinereous Vultures ( Aegypius monachus ), three females and...

Despite the serious consequences of wildlife poisoning for biodiversity and public health, impunity is almost total.  The use of poisons...

We briefly present the new projects and new collaborations that we have started at the Faia Brava. Viridia - Next impulse to...

Inauguration of the soft-release structure On 21 May 2024, as part of the European Natura 2000 Day celebrations, an acclimatisation...

Conservationists, authorities and land managers met for the third progress meeting of the LIFE Aegypius Return project. The meeting saw...

On European Natura 2000 Day, the largest network of protected areas in the world, marked on May 21, the acclimatization station for black...

Horses During this first quarter we have seen the first births of garranos in the year 2024. Since the beginning of the year, 3 garranos...

In the first quarter of 2024, our work in the Faia Brava Reserve focussed on traditional sowing, which is essential for the animal...