Bearded Vulture Vinzenz: Survived 1,600 kilometers of journey to Oldenburg!

Bearded Vulture Vinzenz: Survived 1,600 kilometers of journey to Oldenburg!

There is a new chapter in the exciting story of the bearded vulture reintroduction in Bavaria: Vinzenz, a bearded vulture, has completed an impressive journey of over 1,600 kilometers. The bird was released into the wild as part of a reintroduction project in Berchtesgaden National Park, but instead of staying in the Alps, Vinzenz began his odyssey across the Upper Palatinate, West Germany and finally the Netherlands. Now he has regained his footing and ended up on a country road near Oldenburg, where he was caught by two bird of prey specialists. As the NWZonline According to reports, his examination revealed a weight loss of around ten percent, but fortunately Vincent is unharmed.

What made this young bearded vulture take such risks? Long journeys to the north are rather unusual for younger birds of prey as they usually stay in the Alpine regions. The dangers lurking on such long journeys are considerable. From wind turbines to lead ammunition in game animals - the risks are omnipresent. The bearded vulture, once considered extinct, has been given a second chance thanks to a reintroduction project, and ten bearded vultures have already been released into the wild in Berchtesgaden National Park since 2021. One of these animals died from falling rocks, highlighting the fragile challenges faced by these impressive birds of prey.

Bearded vulture: an endangered bird species

The bearded vultures, with their majestic wingspan of up to 2.90 meters, are among the largest flying birds in the world. It is all the more remarkable that humans eradicated this species over 140 years ago. Thanks to great efforts as part of a Europe-wide reintroduction project, bearded vultures are now flying again in the German Alps. The females “Generl” and “Luisa” have currently been released into the wild in the Berchtesgaden National Park. These flightless birds are now training their muscles and are expected to begin flight training in a few weeks, like the South Germans reported.

The bearded vultures live mainly on carrion and are harmless to humans and animals. It is even expected that the first bearded vulture chick in over 140 years could hatch in Bavaria in the near future. An encouraging sign for the return of this fascinating species!

Commitment to the future of bearded vultures

The accessibility and engagement of the LBV (State Association for Bird Protection) are crucial to the success of the project. Two to three young bearded vultures are to be released into the wild in the national park every year. The LBV not only takes care of the release into the wild, but also carries out educational measures to raise awareness among hunters about the responsible use of ammunition. With great success, the movements of the bearded vultures are even tracked using GPS, so that those interested can follow the birds' development live.

The bearded vulture's return is more than just a conservation success; it's a signal that long-term commitment pays off. Perhaps Vinzenz will soon be able to return to his fellow dogs in the Bavarian Alps, where he can enjoy life in the mountains. And as we watch these majestic birds, we will not forget how important it is to protect our nature.