Griffon Vulture - Gyps Fulvus

The basic goal of putting „Uvac“ Special Nature Reserve under protection was preservation, breeding and reproduction of griffon vulture, the largest bird living in Serbia.  

Griffon vulture is a rare species of vulture eagle, of an impressive size and a wingspan of up to 3m. The average weight of a bird ranges between 8 and 9 kilograms, some individuals can weigh 11kg. Towards the end of January and at the beginning of February, the female lays one egg.  Both parents incubate the egg for eight weeks. They are mainly nesting on limestone rocks and do it in groups creating colonies. Isolated couples are very rare. The new born chicken stays in the nest for some four months before the first flight. Vultures become sexually mature after 4 to 5 years.

The role it plays in the food chain is unique and makes it irreplaceable. Its is adopted to a diet of dead animals and therefore stops the spread of diseases and contributes to a kind of “ natural recycling”.

Some twenty years ago this rare species was threatened by extinction. In 1990, in the territory of Uvac lakes there were only 7 individuals. In  1994, „Griffon Vulture“ Birds of Prey protection foundation was founded. In the same year, Manastirina feeding station was opened as well, and from then on, the carrion and slaughterhouse waste have been taken to the station on the regular basis.

More than 50 tons of food is taken to the griffon vulture „outdoor restaurant“ annualy. Due to that, the number of griffon vultures has increased to  67 nesting couples, id est some 300 individuals.

This is how the colony of this unique bird species became the largest one in the Balkans, and among the large ones in Europe.

At this point, it should be emphasised that there were some other species of eagle vultures living in the area of „Uvac“ Special Nature Reserve in the past. Those were the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) and Eurasian Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus), also known as the Black Vulture, Monk Vulture, or the Cinereous Vulture. Uvac region is one of the best environments for reintroduction and/or recolonization of these species. Certain conditions for that have already been created. Namely, terrain vehicles for transport of food have been provided, deep freezing cooler for storage of carrion and slaughterhouse waste has been provided, construction of voliere ( a wire cage for temporary accomodation of birds) is agreed.