Rescue Centre for Griffon Vultures (Beli Visitor Centre)

Beli is a village high on the cliffs of eastern Cres Island, in the Kvarner Gulf of the Adriatic, and for centuries the griffon vultures that nest on the cliffs below have been part of its landscape. The Beli Visitor Centre, which contains the Rescue Centre for Griffon Vultures, is the best place to learn about these huge birds and the effort that has gone into protecting them. It occupies a former village school, a stone building that has been renovated for its new purpose, and stands near the main road through the village.

The griffon vulture is one of the largest birds in Europe, with a wingspan of up to nearly three metres, and it feeds on carrion, which makes it an important part of the ecosystem, as it cleans the landscape of dead animals and helps to prevent disease. In the 20th century, the number of vultures in Croatia fell sharply, because of poisoning, loss of grazing land and disturbance at nesting sites, and the Cres population shrank to a small remnant. Protection measures, feeding sites, monitoring and the careful treatment of injured birds have helped it to recover, and the colony on Cres is now regarded as one of the main breeding populations in the country.

The visitor centre explains this story through a multimedia exhibition that covers the biology of the vultures, the natural and cultural heritage of northern Cres and the work of the people who look after the birds. Visitors can learn how a rescue works, from finding an exhausted or injured bird to treating it and releasing it, and the centre sometimes keeps birds that are recovering, although they are not displayed like animals in a zoo and the emphasis is on their return to the wild. Children's workshops, photo exhibitions and community events take place from time to time, which helps to make the building a meeting place for scientists, ornithologists and visitors alike.

Outside, a quiet courtyard shaded by a large tree is a pleasant place to rest, with a view over the village roofs and the surrounding landscape, and a small shop sells local products and gifts connected with the vultures, whose sales help to fund the work. Opening times and prices change with the season, so check locally before going.

The centre links well with other places in Beli, among them the Caput Insulae Eco Centre Beli, the Rock Sculptures and Labyrinths, and the bays of Uvala Lokva and Uvala Sveti Petar. It suits families, birdwatchers and anyone curious about wildlife conservation. Bring binoculars if you want to look for the birds in flight over the cliffs.