The 2026 Griffon Vulture ringing season has been successfully completed in the Uvac Special Nature Reserve. This year, climbers descended to 20 nests, and thanks to the generous support of our donors, six nestlings were equipped with state-of-the-art GPS/GSM satellite transmitters. As a result, the number of actively tracked juvenile Griffon Vultures has increased to 12.
A new chapter now begins as we follow their first flights, dispersal movements, and long-distance journeys. We look forward to sharing their remarkable stories with you.
After completing the fieldwork at Uvac, we responded to an invitation from colleagues and traveled to the newly established Griffon Vulture colony near Raduševo to assist with the ringing of nestlings. Unfortunately, we encountered an unpleasant surprise: the management authority of the protected area denied us access to the reserve and refused to allow us to visit the colony, even as ordinary visitors.
Such a decision raises serious concerns. We were denied the fundamental freedom to enter and move within the protected area despite being a team of experts with more than four decades of experience in monitoring and conserving Griffon Vultures, including four PhD scientists with internationally recognized contributions to the research and conservation of this species.
An important question therefore remains: does the management authority of a protected area have a legal basis to deny access to the reserve under these circumstances and in this manner?
**First Team:**
**Second Team:**
