Zora, a young female griffon vulture hatched this year at Uvac, has ended up in captivity in Syria after running out of strength during her first major journey. Although it initially appeared that she had been found and rescued from starvation, the Foundation for the Protection of Birds of Prey announced that the bird had fallen into the hands of people who, according to unofficial information, are offering her for sale for $250.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Experts have been tracking Zora’s movements using a satellite transmitter ever since she left her nest at Uvac and set off on her first major journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, several days ago, the signal from the device suddenly disappeared in the area of the Turkish-Syrian border, raising concerns among experts monitoring this protected species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hope that the young bird was safe came from Mohamad Al Hamad, who informed the Foundation that Zora had been found near the Syrian city of Deir ez-Zor, in an extremely exhausted condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to his account, the bird was taken care of and fed, leading experts to hope that she would soon recover and return to the wild.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tag attached to Zora carried the contact address of the Foundation for the Protection of Birds of Prey, allowing the people who found her to get in touch with experts in Serbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From Rescue to Captivity<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the initial optimism was soon replaced by concern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Foundation says it was premature to believe that the young griffon vulture had encountered people who wanted to help her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to unofficial information, Zora has been offered for sale for $250, while her GPS\/GSM transmitter has since been destroyed, making it impossible to continue tracking her location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although some sponsors offered financial assistance to secure the bird’s release, the Foundation believes that paying a ransom would not be a good solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe believe that we must not give them money because that would turn the abduction of birds into a profitable business and open the door to hunting griffon vultures,\u201d they said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Experts warn that paying for the release of protected birds could encourage further cases of their capture and sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Syria Is Becoming a Dangerous Area for Serbian Griffon Vultures<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Foundation recalls that over the past several years, dozens of griffon vultures from Serbia have received help from well-intentioned people during their long migratory journeys through Western Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Numerous birds have been found exhausted or injured in Turkey, Iraq, Israel and Egypt, where they were treated, rehabilitated and subsequently released back into the wild or transported back to Serbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, according to the Foundation’s experience, the situation in Syria is considerably different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOnly in Syria do these vultures end up dying,\u201d the Foundation warns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As an example, they cite the case of a griffon vulture marked with the number 96, which was captured last year near the Syrian city of Dara.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to information the Foundation received from project associate Mihailo Savan, that bird ended up in a private zoo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Foundation Calls for Urgent Action by Authorities<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because of Zora’s fate, as well as previous cases involving the capture and trafficking of protected birds, the Foundation for the Protection of Birds of Prey has called for an urgent response from the Syrian Embassy and other relevant institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The aim is to establish where the young bird is being held, secure her release and enable her return to the wild.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Experts point out that it is almost impossible to determine precisely how many young griffon vultures die during their first long journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Losses are estimated by comparing the number of birds that leave Uvac with the number of individuals later recorded again upon their return to Serbia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to the dangers posed by humans, griffon vultures also face numerous natural challenges. Due to harsh living conditions, up to 60 percent of young birds die during their first two years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fate of young Zora has once again highlighted the dangers facing protected species beyond Serbia’s borders, as well as the need for international cooperation in their protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the Foundation is trying to secure assistance from the relevant institutions, there is still hope that Zora will be found, released and given the chance to fly again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Source: Foundation for the Protection of Birds of Prey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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