Poznan Zoo has released news that has saddened nature lovers from all over Poland - an eagle vulture that was spotted last year on the windowsill of one of the blocks of flats in the capital of Wielkopolska is dead.

Rei del Causse, for that was the bird's name, came from France and was released into the wild as part of the species' reintroduction programme.

Orlosep from Poznań - exceptional bird, amazing story

In May last year, one of Poznań's residents posted an unusual video on the internet - a huge bird was sitting on the windowsill of his block of flats. Thanks to the transmitter he had worn, it was quickly established that it was an eagle vulture named Rei del Causse, released in France as part of a programme to reintroduce this endangered species.

The vulture is strictly protected in Poland, and there are only a few thousand representatives of this species worldwide. No wonder, then, that its presence in Poznań caused quite a sensation.

During its stay in Poland, the bird became very weak due to the storms and downpours that were occurring in the country at the time. After consultation with the French coordinator of the programme, it was able to be tracked down and transported to the New Zoo in Poznan. There the bird was cared for and was able to return to strength. Last July, it was released in the Park des Grands Causses in the south of France.

Photo: Maciej Mleczko

Sad news. Rei del Causse is dead

On 5 May, Poznan Zoo shared the sad news via social media - the beagle Rei del Causse is dead. He died in France, in the wild. The cause of the bird's death is unknown, but human involvement has been ruled out.

What is the reintroduction of a species?

Species reintroduction is an action aimed at restoring species populations in areas from which they have previously disappeared. It serves to restore the natural balance of ecosystems.