Extinction of the globally endangered Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus breeding in SE Bulgaria

The breeding distribution and productivity of the last Egyptian vultures in SE Bulgaria has been studied since 1990. The 13 known localities declined to four by 2000 and no territory has been occupied since 2006. The breeding productivity was below population replacement rate. Clutches with addle eggs were the most important natural factor for decreased breeding success. The frequency of addled eggs increased significantly following the decrease in livestock production. Breeding success rate decreased significantly with this change, but increase in unsuccessful breeding attempts happened due to poaching. Principal losses from human causes were destruction of the nests containing eggs, and shooting to the youngs and to the bird's pairs. The shooting led to 50% extirpation (n=6) of the known nesting sites in the Strandzha Mountains. Actions undertaken to protect pairs based on the National Nature Protection Legislation were not sufficient to save the Egyptian vulture. Construction of the artificial nests and follow-up monitoring were the only actions with positive impact on the breeding population.