Two bearded vultures released in Bavaria — the 12th release since 2021
Published · Researched 2026-09-22
What happened (dated facts)
On 24 June 2026, two young bearded vultures — Alosa (female, from France) and Zierli (male, from Belgium) — were released in the Klausbach Valley, Berchtesgaden National Park, Bavaria. The release brought the total to 12 bearded vultures released in Bavaria since the reintroduction began in 2021, coordinated by LBV (BirdLife Bavaria) with the Vulture Conservation Foundation. The bearded vulture was extinct in the Alps for roughly a century before reintroduction.
Why it is genuinely positive
Five years in, Bavaria's reintroduction has released a dozen birds — and the project is now producing enough local interest and expertise to become a source of knowledge, not just a recipient.
Social pulse
4Vultures and LBV covered the release; vulture-conservation communities followed the two birds' first weeks.
Verified quotes
None captured.
Verification
- Tier: 1
- Primary source: LBV press release, https://www.lbv.de/presse/?type=0&file=files/user_upload/Presse/2026/GP-08-26%20Zwei%20neue%20Bartgeier%20aus%20Frankreich%20und%20Belgien.pdf — Alosa and Zierli released 2026-06-24; 12th release since 2021.
- Social sources: 4Vultures blog (https://4vultures.org/blog/tag/beardedvulturealps/); vulture-conservation social channels.
- Positivity check: Unambiguous reintroduction milestone. Passed.
Key facts
| Fact | Value | Source | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birds released | Alosa (f), Zierli (m), 2026-06-24 | LBV | 2026-06-24 |
| Release site | Klausbach Valley, Berchtesgaden NP | LBV | 2026 |
| Cumulative releases | 12 since 2021 | LBV | 2026 |
| Alpine extinction | ~100 years | Vulture Conservation Foundation | — |
UNVERIFIED points
- A separate Cévennes release component: not directly verified; this dossier covers the Bavaria release only. UNVERIFIED.
Sources
- Primary source: LBV press release — retrieval date not recorded
- Social sources: 4Vultures blog ( — retrieval date not recorded