Three types of vultures are found in Bulgaria today – the griffon vulture, the Egyptian vulture and relatively rarely – the black vulture. Last year, during their regular monitoring of birds, experts of the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds stated that 107 pairs of griffon vultures were counted on the territory of Bulgaria, which marks an increase over recent years. Conservationists remind us that vultures are "nature's cleaners" and are essential for the normal functioning of ecosystems.

To highlight the importance of these valuable birds for wildlife, which are among the fastest disappearing species on the planet, since 2008, every first Saturday of September, the world has celebrated International Vulture Awareness Day. Traditionally in Bulgaria, this will be a two-day holiday (September 3 and 4) at the Eastern Rhodope Nature Conservation Centre near Madzharovo. The organizers are the Wilder Rhodope Foundation, the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds and the municipality.

In the Eastern Rhodopes, three fixed photo-shelters have been built at bird feeding sites. By using them, we can directly support the survival of rare birds of prey in the Madzharovo region. The hides are specially designed for photography of the griffon vulture, the Egyptian vulture and the black vulture, as well as the golden and sea eagle. In addition, we can witness other rare and protected species, among which the jackal, the white-tailed buzzard, the common buzzard, the  black buzzard, foxes, and the chances of photographing a wolf are among the highest in Europe, according to the Nature Conservation Centre " Eastern Rhodopes".