“A Better Life for the Lesser Kestrel in the Southeastern Balkans” LIFE19 NAT/BG/001017 funded by the LIFE programme with the coordinating beneficiary Green Balkans – Stara Zagora Association.

https://lesserkestrellife.greenbalkans.org/%D0%B7%D0%B0-%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B5%D0%BA%D1%82%D0%B0

In 2020, Sofia Zoo received 3 pairs of Lesser Kestrels under this project from the Green Balkans Rescue Center. Since then, the birds have been breeding annually, and their offspring are handed over to Green Balkans specialists, who, after a period of adaptation, release them into suitable habitats in Bulgaria.

The kestrel (Falco naumanni) is a small falcon that is a useful helper to man in the fight against enemies in agricultural areas. Until 1960, it was considered one of the most numerous birds of prey in Europe. As a result of the intensification of agriculture, the abandonment of agricultural lands, the loss of nesting sites and the intensive use of pesticides, the number of the species in Bulgaria has sharply decreased and most of the colonies have disappeared.

Thanks to the purposeful and consistent work and efforts of conservationists, today the kestrel has been restored as a breeding species for the country. The Sofia Zoo is proud to be part of this successful conservation activity and will continue its efforts to raise and breed the kestrel.