EN: A tragic end for Dryan We all followed with anxious anticipation the rescue of the Cinereous vulture, Dryan, who at the beginning of July 2025 ventured into a dense reedbed in the Danube Delta. It took the effort of several people to save the bird, which was part of the Bearded Vulture LIFE programme.
Once recovered from that area, Dryan regained his strength in a short time and we were able to release him near the Măcin Mountains (Tulcea County). The very next day, Dryan had already crossed our country’s border and continued his journey through south-east Europe.
About two weeks after his release, a cattle farmer from Ethymos (Greece) contacted the Society for the Protection of Biodiversity of Thrace (SPBT) about a weakened and injured Cinereous vulture. An SPBT team of specialists immediately rushed to the site and transferred the bird to the OFYPEKA facility in Dadia to provide Dryan with first aid. Unfortunately, despite the rapid response, the vulture died only a few hours later.
An initial examination of the bird’s injuries – including a stretched leg and burns on its abdomen and wings – suggests that it had most likely come into contact with power lines. Data from the transmitter and the field investigation also indicate that the incident probably occurred in Bulgaria, where Dryan had been flying the previous day.
This tragic event highlights one of the greatest dangers faced by birds of prey: electrocution and collisions with power lines remain a serious threat to vultures and other large raptors across the region.
