Bearded vulture Vinzenz: flown from the Bavarian sky to Oldenburg!

Bearded vulture Vinzenz: flown from the Bavarian sky to Oldenburg!

In an exciting adventure, the bearded vulture Vinzenz, who grew up in Bavaria, recently found his way to northern Germany. After he was released into the wild and equipped with a GPS transmitter, he was monitored around the clock by ornithological experts. Now his spectacular flight is causing a stir and raising questions about the return of this bird species that was once native to the Alps. RTL Nord reports that Vinzenz, with an impressive wingspan of up to 2.90 meters, set off for Nuremberg on June 13, 2025, but did not stay there for long.

Its steep course in a northwesterly direction took it across Swabia and through the Netherlands until it finally reached the North Sea. But the joy of his flight didn't last long: Vinzenz was finally caught by experts near Oldenburg, exhausted and severely underweight. The bearded vulture is currently being cared for in a rescue center in Rastede near Oldenburg. The experts there hope that Vincent will soon regain his strength.

An inappropriate living space

The conditions in northern Germany are anything but favorable for a bearded vulture. As a scavenger, Vincent needs a specific environment to find his food. The flat landscapes of the north rarely provide the food sources this majestic bird needs to survive. A quick return trip to the mountains, where he can eat again in familiar surroundings, is therefore the goal after his recovery, as the nature conservation organization LBV also emphasizes.

The bearded vulture Vinzenz is part of a larger conservation initiative that has released several bearded vultures into the wild in the region since 2021. Interested nature lovers were even able to follow the release live via webcam and were invited to follow the flight paths of seven bearded vultures, including Vinzenz, on an interactive map. These routes are published with a three-day delay to ensure the safety of the birds. The bearded vultures Sisi, Nepomuk and Wiggerl are currently available. At the LBV Detailed profiles of these impressive birds can be viewed.

Vincent's fate sheds light on the challenges faced by these impressive bird species and the importance of protecting and restoring their natural habitat. So it remains to be hoped that Vinzenz will soon be able to conquer the heights of the mountains again, where he can feel comfortable and live successfully again.