Egyptian Vulture Hugo Safely Leaves Malta After 3 Days

Malta witnessed a rare event on Sunday with the arrival of an Egyptian Vulture, Neophron percnopterus, just hours before the hunting season opened on 1 September.

The bird, named Hugo by the Italian association CERM, was closely monitored thanks to satellite tracking and the cooperation of BirdLife Malta.

Hugo is one of only two chicks hatched this year at CERM’s captive-breeding centre in Tuscany and forms part of efforts to reinforce the dwindling wild population of one of Europe’s rarest raptors.

Sightings in Malta are extremely rare, usually involving young birds on their first migration to Africa.

Past visits by CERM-hatched vultures ended tragically, with Isabel disappearing near Dingli Cliffs in 2021 and Tommy killed in 2022.

Hugo began his migration on 26 August from southern Italy and arrived over Marsascala, Marsaxlokk and Buskett, roosting along the Victoria Lines under constant monitoring by BirdLife Malta and the Malta Rangers Unit.

With the hunting season opening, the bird faced heightened risks, prompting volunteers to guard him overnight and ensure his safety after nearby gunshots.

Hugo eventually settled at Majjistral Park to regain strength and continued his journey on Tuesday, crossing at Filfla with favourable northwesterly winds towards Africa.

Hugo is expected to remain in sub-Saharan Africa for the first three years before returning to Europe to breed around his sixth year.

#MaltaDaily