A rare and highly impressive sighting was recorded in the Paphos mountains, where an Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), also known as the Egyptian Vulture, appeared at the Forestry Department's vulture feeding station in Agios Ioannis, Paphos.
The unexpected visitor was filmed by Forestry Department employee and naturalist Georgios Papetrou, resulting in remarkable footage of the area's wildlife. The species is considered particularly important for biodiversity and attracts significant interest whenever it is recorded in Cyprus.
In a video produced and published by the Forestry Department, the bird's presence is described as "rare", "highly impressive" and "a source of hope". According to the department, the Egyptian Vulture is the smallest and, unfortunately, the most endangered vulture in Europe. It is distinguished by its white plumage with black wing tips and its striking yellow face. As a migratory species, it travels every autumn from Europe to Africa. Cyprus lies along this critical migration route, and the Egyptian Vulture uses the island as a vital stopover for rest and refuelling during its long journey. Its appearance in Cyprus is a significant event, vindicating the efforts of the Forestry Department, which has operated this vulture feeding station continuously since 1992.
According to the department, for more than three decades the facility has been systematically supplied with inspected carcasses, providing vultures with safe supplementary food free from poison.
"The feeding station operates as a longstanding refuge and lifeline," it added, "protecting not only Cyprus' resident Griffon Vultures, but also exhausted migrants such as the Egyptian Vulture, thereby effectively safeguarding the protection, conservation and survival of Cyprus' valuable biodiversity."
In Cyprus, the Griffon Vulture is currently in a particularly critical state, with the resident population numbering just 37 birds. In recent years, poisoned bait and electrocution have emerged as the most significant threats to its survival. Significant reinforcement of the population has been achieved in recent years through the transfer and release of birds from Spain.
