“The main objective of placing artificial nests in the Douro International Natural Park (PNDI) is to increase this black vulture colony, which is the largest in Portugal and we are talking about an endangered species. In addition to the nine new nests installed, four existing nests were also repaired, with the aim of improving their structure so that they can be occupied successfully and safely,” said José Pereira, president of Palombar to Lusa.

This initiative comes within the scope of the LIFE Aegypius return project - consolidation and expansion of the black vulture population in Portugal and western Spain, together with the non-governmental environmental organization Palombar - Conservation of Nature and Rural Heritage, in collaboration with Dirección General de Emergencias - Cuerpo de Agentes Forestales de la Comunidad de Madrid and with researchers from the University of Oviedo, in Spain to save a species of rupicolous bird

“To increase the probability of nest occupancy, a black vulture replica sculpture was placed in a tree close to the nine installed nests, which will act as a decoy to attract new breeding individuals to the PNDI,” explained the biologist.

According to José Pereira, the installation of these new nesting platforms aims to attract new pairs of black vultures that are scattered throughout the Trás-os-Montes region to settle in this border territory, considered a true sanctuary for birdlife.

Another project involves the installation of a large cage where black vultures from veterinary hospitals or recovery centers will be placed to get used to the Douro International habitat and settle here.

“The construction of this cage will house up to 20 juvenile birds and ensure that adequate and safe local equipment is being built for this species to nest. After a slow habituation process, which can last between four and nine months, they will be returned to their natural habitat”, explained the person in charge.

In the 2023 breeding season, this colony had, for the first time since the return of the species to the region in 2012, three pairs nesting and by 2027 this Iberian project wants to return 20 new black vultures to nature in the Douro International area.

The LIFE Aegypius return project started in September 2022 and its main objectives are to increase the black vulture population and improve its conservation status in Portugal.

It intends, within six years (2022-2027), to double its breeding population in Portugal so that it goes from 40 breeding pairs to 80, as well as increasing the colonies from four to five.

This environmental project has a financial allocation of 3.7 million euros, 75% contributed by the European Union's LIFE Program and co-financed by Viridia – Conservation in Action and MAVA – Foundation pour la Nature.

It involves several national and international entities linked to nature protection and will continue on the ground until 2027.