In July 2026, the annual release of red kites will take place in the Aspromonte National Park as part of the ongoing reintroduction program for the species.
This year, in addition to young birds born in Switzerland (Canton of Fribourg), France (Corsica), and Spain (Aragon), the LIFE MILVUS project team coordinating the release activities will also have a very special young bird of Italian origin at its disposal. This is a red kite born at the Wildlife Recovery Center (CRAS) of the Lake San Giuliano Reserve (MT) in Basilicata, managed by the Murgia Materana Park Authority.
Here, on May 10, 2026, an extraordinary event took place: the hatching of an egg laid by a pair of red kites—which could not be released back into the wild—housed in one of the facility’s aviaries. This is a rare occurrence because it is very difficult for wild red kites held in captivity due to an accident to reproduce.
This success is the result of the dedication and expertise of staff members Matteo Visceglia and Mariangela Francione, who manage the CRAS San Giuliano, in collaboration with veterinarian Olimpia Lai and with the support of the CERM Association (Center for Endangered Birds of Prey), working closely with the Murgia Materana Park Authority.
Thanks to the cooperation of the Murgia Materana Park, the young red kite has already been transferred to the Aspromonte National Park’s acclimatization center, where it awaits release.
In the past, the Lucanian wildlife rehabilitation center had already collaborated with the LIFE MILVUS project, successfully treating and rehabilitating one of the released kites that had sustained injuries from contact with a wind turbine blade. That bird was subsequently released back into the wild in Aspromonte.
This story highlights the vital role played by wildlife rehabilitation centers and the importance of establishing stable partnerships among park authorities—even those geographically distant—for the conservation of biodiversity.
The red kite was handed over to the LIFE MILVUS coordinator by the President of the Murgia Materana Park and staff members of CRAS S. Giuliano
The young red kite born at the CRAS San Giuliano
The chick hatched at the San Giuliano CRAS (photo by M. Visceglia)
