FUND RAISER FOR GRIFFON VULTURE TO BE HELD IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, Feb 15 (Hina) - Eco-centre Caput Insulae-Beli from the island of Cres will organise a series of events at the Croatian Academy of Arts and Sciences' Museum of Sculpture in Zagreb on February 18 to help raise funds for the protection of the griffon vulture. #L# The events will include an auction of paintings, graphics and sculptures with animal motifs, an exhibition of paintings, the exhibition "Griffon Vulture", and the "Adopt A Griffon Vulture" drive. The purpose of the campaign is to help the Cres-based centre which cares for this unique, endangered bird species, which in Croatia inhabits only islands in Kvarner Bay. These magnificent birds, which are often called "Croatian condors", nest on cliffs facing the sea. The Cres-based centre has provided for these birds since 1981 and it has received most support from the Budapest zoo. Hungary was the first European country where the griffon vulture became extinct. The griffon vulture has been monitored by the HAZU's Ornithology Institute on Cres, and activities conducted so far have helped increase the number of these birds on the island. (hina) rml