The Journeys of
Anette & Manfred

In the summer of 2026, two Egyptian vultures Anette and Manfred were released into the wild in Bulgaria as part of a long-term reintroduction programme. Fitted with GPS transmitters, they now soar across the Balkans and beyond. Follow their journeys and help give this endangered species a future.

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Journey timeline

From the breeding centre to the Balkans

June 2025
Hatched in Wales

Anette and Manfred hatch at the Horstmann Trust conservation breeding centre in South Wales.
Febuary 2026
Vulture School

The young vultures travel to a pre-release facility in Bulgaria to learn survival skills alongside other birds.
June 2026
Released into the wild

The first UK-bred Egyptian Vultures are released in the Bulgarian mountains, fitted with GPS transmitters.
Ongoing
Tracked across Europe

GPS data guides conservation teams as the birds explore their new landscape and build migration routes.

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Why tracking matters

Each journey improves future conservation

In June 2026, two Egyptian Vultures hatched and reared in South Wales became the first birds of their kind bred in the United Kingdom to be released into the wild in Bulgaria. Anette and Manfred carry GPS transmitters that let us follow their first flights as free-living vultures, and help protect them along the way.

From South Wales to Bulgaria

Anette and Manfred were bred at the Horstmann Trust's conservation breeding facilities in South Wales before travelling to a specialised pre-release facility, known as Vulture School, in Bulgaria. There they joined other young vultures from across Europe and prepared for life in the wild.

A historic release

The release of these Welsh-bred birds is a first for UK conservation breeding and a milestone for the EU LIFE Neophron project restoring Egyptian Vulture populations across the Balkans.

Why the Balkans matter

The Egyptian Vulture is Europe's smallest vulture and one of its most endangered birds of prey. Poisoning, habitat loss, electrocution and other human-related threats have caused dramatic declines, making the Balkan population especially vulnerable.

Tracking their future

GPS data guides conservation teams to where the birds travel, roost and feed, so partners can respond quickly to threats, protect migration routes, and plan future releases with the best possible chance of success.

Release gallery