A meeting with pasture users regarding the cases of poisoned vultures in Central Balkan National Park
A meeting with pasture users regarding the cases of poisoned vultures in Central Balkan National Park was held today in Kalofer. The meeting was organized at the initiative of the Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW) and the Directorate of Central Balkan National Park (DCBNP).
Participants in the meeting were informed about the long-standing efforts to restore vulture populations in Bulgaria, which are protected species under the Biological Diversity Act. Various aspects of the issue were discussed, including the protection of wild animals, water sources within the Park, incidents involving predators and bear damage, as well as the everyday challenges faced by livestock owners using the pastures in the area.
During the meeting, it became clear that, according to information from the Ministry of Interior, a suspect has been detained and has made a full confession. Thanks to the joint efforts of the institutions and non-governmental organizations involved, the case was resolved in a record short period of time.
Experts once again explained why poisoning poses a significant threat to all vultures in the country, as well as to some birds of prey. The causes of vulture poisoning vary, but most often vultures fall victim to the illegal use of poisoned baits by individuals attempting to protect livestock from terrestrial predators, primarily wolves, bears, jackals and stray dogs. As scavengers, vultures die either by directly consuming poisoned baits or as a result of secondary poisoning when feeding on animals that have ingested the poisoned bait.
Such acts against strictly protected species pose a significant risk to society, both to wild animals and to human health. Therefore, the Ministry of Environment and Water and the Directorate of Central Balkan National Park categorically stated that they will continue to apply all legal mechanisms in the future to ensure a balance between nature conservation in the protected area and the traditional, nature-friendly livelihoods of people in the Balkan Mountains.
Particular emphasis was placed on the need for better communication and cooperation between institutions, nature conservation organizations and local livestock owners in order to seek practical solutions and prevent similar incidents in the future. All participants agreed that wildlife poisoning is a serious criminal offence with severe consequences both for nature and for people.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Directorate of Central Balkan National Park and the Directorate of National Nature Protection Service, the Wildlife Rescue Centre of Green Balkans, the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds, the Environmental and Wildlife Crime Sector of the General Directorate of National Police (GDNP) at the Ministry of Interior, the Karlovo District Police Department, the municipalities of Kalofer and Karlovo, and the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency.
