- More than twenty juvenile griffon vultures have been rescued in Crete in a matter of days.
- Locals and tourists found struggling birds stranded across the island, with several retrieved directly from the sea.
- Most require intensive fluid therapy, while two young vultures underwent orthopedic surgery.
According to the ANIMA Wildlife Protection and Care Association, most of the birds required intensive fluid therapy upon arrival, while two suffered injuries severe enough to require orthopedic surgery.
The rescue organization says young vultures have been found in a variety of unexpected places, including roadsides, fields, villages, and, in several cases, even floating in the sea after becoming too weak to stay airborne.
Local volunteers provide first aid before the birds are transported on overnight ferries to ANIMA’s wildlife rehabilitation centre in Athens, where they receive specialized veterinary care.
A Difficult First Summer
Wildlife experts explain that late summer is one of the most challenging periods for young vultures.
Having recently left their nests, inexperienced birds must learn to soar efficiently, locate food, and cope with high temperatures. During prolonged heatwaves, dehydration and exhaustion can quickly become life-threatening, particularly for birds still developing their flight skills.
Crete is home to one of Europe’s most important populations of griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus), making the island a premier destination for birdwatchers and wildlife photographers. These remarkable scavengers play a vital ecological role by removing animal carcasses from the landscape, helping prevent the spread of disease and maintaining healthy ecosystems.
How Visitors Can Help
ANIMA is encouraging anyone who finds a distressed vulture not to attempt treatment themselves. Instead, they should contact local wildlife authorities or rescue organizations as soon as possible so trained responders can assess the bird and arrange safe transport if necessary.
The recent rescues also highlight the role played by residents and visitors alike. Many of the young vultures now receiving care were first spotted and reported by tourists exploring Crete’s countryside.
With proper treatment, conservationists hope many of the birds will recover and eventually be released back into the wild, where they can join the island’s soaring flocks over the mountains and gorges that define Crete’s landscape.
