New project launched to protect Cyprus' birds of prey

Six organizations and state bodies in Cyprus have partnered to launch the "Raptors for LIFE" project, a conservation initiative aimed at protecting three key species: the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), Bonelli’s eagle (Aquila fasciata), and the long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus). The project, which is co-funded by the European Union’s LIFE programme, is scheduled to officially commence in October 2026.

BirdLife Cyprus serves as the lead partner, collaborating with the Game and Fauna Service, the Vulture Conservation Foundation, the State General Laboratory, the Cyprus Police, and the Electricity Authority of Cyprus. The initiative seeks to mitigate major mortality factors such as the use of poisoned bait, electrocution on power infrastructure, illegal shootings, collisions, and drowning in open water tanks.

The situation is particularly urgent for the griffon vulture, with only 37 individuals remaining on the island. While the long-legged buzzard has seen an expansion of its range in recent decades, it remains vulnerable, and Bonelli’s eagle—the only eagle species currently breeding on Cyprus—continues to face significant threats from human-led persecution and habitat risks. The project aims to implement long-term, targeted strategies to reverse the decline of these raptors through collaborative governmental and environmental action.