In 2025, after nearly 50 years of absence, the Egyptian Vulture (Capovaccaio), a small trans-Saharan migratory vulture, returned to nest in the Madonie, raising a young bird that fledged and migrated to Africa with its parents. In 2026 the adult pair returned, but found the nest occupied by a pair of Common Ravens, and so had to find another crevice in which to breed.
Thanks to the collaboration between the Foundation and the Madonie Park (Parco delle Madonie), the fieldwork carried out by Antonio Spinnato (naturalist with the Madonie Park Authority), Antonio Onorato (Verdi Aquile Madonite), Alessandro Gurreri and Salvatore Seminara (International Foundation for Mediterranean Biodiversity) made it possible to discover where the pair of Egyptian Vultures is breeding; the various stages of bringing branches to the nest and the changing of incubation shifts by the parents were observed.
We have decided not to publish photos of the nest, even from a great distance, to avoid triggering a parade of photographers, which over time can disturb the breeding cycle of a very elusive and wary species.
In agreement with the Park, we will continue to monitor the breeding from a distance and will provide a report on the outcome after the chick has fledged, including photos and video.
We want to recall that this is a species on the brink of extinction in Italy, heavily threatened by various negative factors; the Foundation is currently carrying out a census of the last remaining pairs on the island.