Following A Five-Year Journey to Save Cyprus' Griffon Vultures

• Prize
  Silver in Editorial/Environmental
• Photographer
  Silvio Augusto Rusmigo
• Agency / Studio
  Birdlife Cyprus

I documented the critical efforts to save Cyprus's last Griffon Vultures. With only 27 individuals left in the wild, their survival is seriously threatened by poisoning, habitat loss, and collisions with power lines. Over five years, I captured key moments, like vultures arriving from Spain to restock the Cypriot population, their release into the wild, and the deployment of anti-poison dog units to protect their habitats. My aim is to showcase the fragility of these birds and the resilience of those fighting hard for their future on the island.

Freelance documentary and commercial photographer, based in Cyprus. My work engages topics that deal with the outdoors, nature conservation and heritage. Coming from a Mediterranean island that formed the backdrop to my childhood dreams, I came to feel inspired by people, folklore and nature, and all the stories these have to tell. I hope that my work inspires others to discover and care for our world's rich natural and cultural heritage, and in this way contribute to its urgent need for preservation. When I am not holding my camera, I like to grab my hiking sticks and take to the mountains.