In the early 20th century, the last bearded vulture in the Alps was shot. The species was considered locally extinct. In 1986, an international programme began releasing young bearded vultures into the Alps. Since then, more than 260 birds have been set free. Today, over 300 bearded vultures live across the Alpine chain, including more than 60 breeding pairs. In France alone, 92 territorial pairs were counted in 2024, spread across the Pyrenees, Alps, Massif Central and Corsica.
The bearded vulture is the only bird that feeds primarily on bones. It drops them from great heights onto rocks to smash them into smaller pieces. Its reputation as a lamb killer brought centuries of persecution, even though it feeds exclusively on carrion.
Last autumn, a remarkable discovery was reported. In Thyez, Haute-Savoie, conservationists found a weakened bearded vulture on the ground. It turned out to be Balthazar, one of the very first birds released in 1988. At 37, he is the oldest bearded vulture ever recorded in the wild. An X-ray revealed a lead fragment in his foot, likely from an old shooting incident.
Some of the people who had released Balthazar nearly four decades ago were involved in his rescue. The programme is considered one of the most successful species conservation projects in Europe.