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A four-year-old vulture named Galatea caused concern this week after wandering near Oroklini, including two days perched on a highway sign, before eventually returning safely to her colony.
Wildlife officials said the bird appeared disoriented and far from her natural habitat, prompting fears she could be exhausted or poisoned. Thanks to her GPS tracking device, experts could monitor her movements and confirm she remained unharmed.
Galatea is part of Cyprus’ vulture reintroduction program, which relocated birds from Spain in 2023 to help rebuild the island’s critically endangered vulture population. Her journey highlights both the challenges and successes of local conservation efforts in protecting species that were once nearly extinct on the island.
“The presence of vultures like Galatea shows that our conservation programs are working,” said a wildlife official. “But it also reminds us how vulnerable these birds remain when they stray into human-populated areas.”
The bird’s name was chosen by students at Dimitrios Primary School in Paphos, part of an educational campaign to raise awareness about endangered species in Cyprus.
Authorities thanked the public for reporting sightings and said monitoring of Galatea and other reintroduced vultures will continue, emphasizing that community engagement is crucial for protecting Cyprus’ wildlife heritage.
*Source: Bird Life Cyprus
