Vultures are a characteristic, distinctive and spectacular component of the biodiversity of the environments they inhabit. They also provide critically important ecosystem services by cleaning up carcasses and other organic waste in the environment. The IUCN Red List status of African-Eurasian vultures has seen drastic changes for the worse in recent years.
More than 150 experts, scientists, NGO representatives, students and other interested individuals participated in the International Conference on the “Conservation and Management of Vulture Populations” (14-16 November 2005, Thessaloniki, Greece). Emphasis was given to transnational cooperation and representatives of Balkan NGOs (Bulgaria, Croatia, FYROM, Serbia and Montenegro) as well as Turkey, Ukraine and Israel were invited to participate.