Vulture Conservation Foundation

The Vulture Conservation Foundation is an international non-governmental organisation committed to the conservation of Europe's vultures: Bearded Vultures, Cinereous Vultures, Egyptian vultures and Griffon Vultures. All these European vulture species have a highly vulnerable status, and over the last century they have suffered dramatic declines in their numbers due to a range of factors such as habitat loss, direct persecution and reduction in food availability. Since 1978 we have been leading one of the world’s most successful wildlife comeback stories, the return of the Bearded Vulture to the Alpine mountain range. Just 40 years ago the species was extinct, but since 1986 we have been working with many partners in countries across the Alps to reintroduce the species and with over 50 breeding pairs the Bearded Vulture is now re-established across the region. But our work continues as populations of all vultures across Europe face threats such as illegal poisoning, lack of food availability and collisions at wind farms and power lines, which is putting the recovery of some populations at risk. Through our work and with an experienced team of dedicated wildlife conservationists and scientists we have extensive experience in captive-breeding, reintroduction and protection of vultures in their natural habitat. We work with people, governments and organisations to initiate, facilitate and support conservation actions and research to support the recovery of vultures across Europe and beyond.