Tapia, who has spent over 30 years focused on these majestic birds, describes their importance with awe. “They have a wingspan of nearly three meters,” he says. “It’s incredible to see them soar.” Tapia’s efforts have been pivotal in the recovery of the black vulture population, which was critically endangered in the 1980s.

Today, around 350 black vultures live on Mallorca, with 45 breeding pairs producing up to 35 chicks annually. “Our hard work has really paid off,” Tapia states proudly. “Each nest is meticulously monitored, and we’ve even installed webcams to allow the public to follow their progress.”

Tapia’s work also involves educating the public and raising awareness. “We’ve set up exclusion zones to protect the vultures,” he explains. “Despite this, some people still ignore the restrictions, which can be detrimental.”