On March 22, Galileo, Cesare, Ulisse, Artemisia, Babà and ten other Egyptian vultures were transferred from CERM in Tuscany to the NGO AMUS – Acción por el Mundo Salvaje – Wildlife Recovery Centre in Villafranca de los Barros, Extremadura, Spain. This unique 2,200 km migration – carried out by road from east to west – has a precise and important purpose: to pool the knowledge, experience, and passion of CERM and AMUS experts to boost captive breeding of this small vulture. After the transfer of 15 individuals to Extremadura, 24 Egyptian vultures remain at CERM. Located in southern Tuscany, this facility continues to be the world’s most important centre for the captive breeding of the species. The aim is to rear juveniles for release into the wild to strengthen the Italian population, which is classified as critically endangered. With only about ten pairs left, the population is on the brink of extinction and confined to three or four regions (Sicily, Basilicata, Calabria, and Sardinia). Every year, the CERM Association carries out complex and delicate operations in southern Italy to release juveniles born in captivity; from 2003 to 2025, 53 individuals were released. With over 30 years of experience in wildlife conservation, AMUS manages a magnificent recovery centre equipped with cutting-edge facilities and equipment. Staffed by specialized operators and volunteers, the Spanish association carries out extensive field actions focused on protecting species such as Montagu’s harrier, red kite, great bustard, and cinereous vulture.
The CERM association and AMUS signed a collaboration agreement that resulted in the creation of this new breeding stock in Estremadura. The birds were housed in eights specially built or adapted aviaries.
CERM experts will support AMUS operators during the initial years of vulture management, gradually transferring knowledge gained from decades of experience with the species. To facilitate this, the AMUS aviaries housing the “Tuscan” Egyptian vultures have been equipped with a remote monitoring system, allowing Italian and Spanish experts to observe the pairs in real time. Many juveniles from Extremadura will be released in Italy, while others will help reinforce Spanish populations facing significant demographic decline. The CERM-AMUS collaboration is also crucial for maintaining a vital ex-situ genetic pool with a high genetic diversity. This helps ensure the long-term, large-scale conservation of the species, enabling reintroduction or restocking efforts across Europe. We are therefore joining forces for the conservation of this diminutive vulture, which plays a vital ecological role.
Capture of Egyptian vultures at CERM
Egyptian vulture placed in the transport box
Preparations at CERM for the transfer of Egyptian vultures
The group of Egyptian vultures leaving CERM
The Egyptian vultures have arrived at the AMUS centre for their initial check-up
The Egyptian vultures have arrived at the AMUS centre for their initial check-up
A pair of Egyptian vultures in an aviary at the AMUS centre
A “wintering” aviary at the AMUS centre
Video monitoring of the Egyptian vultures at the AMUS centre
Some of the members of CERM and AMUS teams
