News
The Flying Dutchman – Griffon Vulture K07 returned to Bulgaria!
[ 06.02.2012 ]
On December 14th 2011 our colleague and friend Dr. Ahmet Kutukcu contacted us that one of our vultures, tagged K07 has been caught near Edirne.
The bird was accommodated at the only specialized wildlife rescue centre of Turkey having been found helpless in a military base near Edirne, Turkey. Fortunately, the thorough examination carried out by Dr. Ahmet Kutukcu showed that the vulture had no permanent injuries and was ready to be re-released.
The Dutchman is of zoo origin (donated by DierenPark Amersfoort) and in Turkey it would have been released outside a formed group of experienced wild vultures and would have slim chances to navigate and survive. Therefore, despite all our respect and gratitude for the efforts of our colleagues in Turkey, our team decided it was best to transport the bird and release it back from Bulgaria.
Our team left for Turkey on time, visiting our colleagues from the Veterinary Faculty of the Istanbul University, assisting for the transport of several birds in distress to the specialized rescue centre, located at Karagabey, Bursa.
We reached the Centre at Marmara Sea where K07 was accommodated late in the evening, travelling in deep snow and wind. The other day roads got closed due to heavy snow and low temperature, so our way back got cut off.
The representatives of the local authorities, invited for the official send off of the Dutchman barely managed to arrive only at noon. The governors promised a special snow plow to allow the start of the crew the next day. At the same time, a media team, sent from Ankara, was caught in a snow trap somewhere near Bursa and could not make it to the Centre at all.
Fortunately, the next day – February 2nd 2012, weather turned out milder and allowed the team, together with the Dutchman, to start in time.
Later that evening the bird arrived at the Wildlife Rescue Centre at Green Balkans – Stara Zagora, where it will be quarantined before being transferred back to the adaptation aviary in the Balkan Mountains for re-release.
On behalf of the Vultures Return in Bulgaria LIFE08 NAT/BG/278 Project we would like to express special gratitude to Dr. Kutukcu, Ozkan Uner and all Bulgarian and Turkish authorities, which enabled the return of the Dutchman.
For more information, please contact:
Elena Kmetova – project manager
ekmetova@greenbalkans.org, +359 885219557
On December 14th 2011 our colleague and friend Dr. Ahmet Kutukcu contacted us that one of our vultures, tagged K07 has been caught near Edirne.
The bird was accommodated at the only specialized wildlife rescue centre of Turkey having been found helpless in a military base near Edirne, Turkey. Fortunately, the thorough examination carried out by Dr. Ahmet Kutukcu showed that the vulture had no permanent injuries and was ready to be re-released.
The Dutchman is of zoo origin (donated by DierenPark Amersfoort) and in Turkey it would have been released outside a formed group of experienced wild vultures and would have slim chances to navigate and survive. Therefore, despite all our respect and gratitude for the efforts of our colleagues in Turkey, our team decided it was best to transport the bird and release it back from Bulgaria.
Our team left for Turkey on time, visiting our colleagues from the Veterinary Faculty of the Istanbul University, assisting for the transport of several birds in distress to the specialized rescue centre, located at Karagabey, Bursa.
We reached the Centre at Marmara Sea where K07 was accommodated late in the evening, travelling in deep snow and wind. The other day roads got closed due to heavy snow and low temperature, so our way back got cut off.
The representatives of the local authorities, invited for the official send off of the Dutchman barely managed to arrive only at noon. The governors promised a special snow plow to allow the start of the crew the next day. At the same time, a media team, sent from Ankara, was caught in a snow trap somewhere near Bursa and could not make it to the Centre at all.
Fortunately, the next day – February 2nd 2012, weather turned out milder and allowed the team, together with the Dutchman, to start in time.
Later that evening the bird arrived at the Wildlife Rescue Centre at Green Balkans – Stara Zagora, where it will be quarantined before being transferred back to the adaptation aviary in the Balkan Mountains for re-release.
On behalf of the Vultures Return in Bulgaria LIFE08 NAT/BG/278 Project we would like to express special gratitude to Dr. Kutukcu, Ozkan Uner and all Bulgarian and Turkish authorities, which enabled the return of the Dutchman.
For more information, please contact:
Elena Kmetova – project manager
ekmetova@greenbalkans.org, +359 885219557
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The capture of the Dutchman near Edirne -
K07 at the Turkish Rescue Centre -
K07 at the Turkish Rescue Centre -
At the Veterinary Faculty of the Istanbul University -
Planning the route... -
Dardanelles are closed, we are crossing the Bosphorus... -
K07 at the Turkish Rescue Centre -
Officials barely managed to come only at noon -
The official sent off of the Dutchman -
The Dutchman is officially handed over to our care! -
...so everyone is happy and pleased! -
The team of the Turkish Rescue Centre - thank you, friends! -
On the road again...
