Bearded vultures soar again in Alps after breeding scheme

Record 35 chicks expected to leave nests this year in successful wildlife comeback

This summer, as the snows finally melt across the Alps, a record 35 bearded vulture chicks are expected to leave their nests and take to the skies to patrol their mountain home, in one of the most successful wildlife comebacks of recent times.

"Bearded vultures were hunted to extinction in the Alps in the early 20th century. People referred to them as the devil bird believing that they would carry off small children and sheep," said Thi(C)o Mazet, who works for Asters, a French wildlife organisation helping to bring the birds back to the Alps.