Numerous successful species have recolonized over past 50 years

Scientists from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Birdlife International and the European Bird Census Council (EBCC) have published a report focusing on the recovery of a number of species across Europe.

The report, entitled: “Wildlife Comeback in Europe” highlights the Eurasian beaver, European bison and the white-tailed eagle among 37 mammal and bird species that have recovered over the past 50 years.

The report describes how, why and where these species have recovered, providing important lessons for the conservation of these and other species.

ZSL’s director of conservation, Professor Jonathan Baillie, said: “It is essential that we both celebrate and learn from major successes in conservation. This study helps us to understand the interventions and conditions necessary for a broad range of species to experience similar recoveries.”

The white-tailed eagle, one of the largest birds of prey in the world, suffered from large declines and extinctions in many countries between 1800 and 1970. However, legal protection has resulted in the European population growing from fewer than 2,500 pairs in 1970 to 9,600 pairs in 2010. It has also recently recolonized parts of its former range in central and northern Europe.

The European bison became extinct in the wild in the early 20th century due to hunting and habitat loss. A large scale breeding and reintroduction programme based on individuals in captivity has led to wild populations being re-established in central and eastern Europe, mainly Poland and Belarus. The population now includes almost 3,000 individuals.

Frans Schepers, managing director of Rewilding Europe, says: “Wildlife will bounce back if we allow it to – this report shows that. With continued and strong legal protection, active boosting of existing wildlife populations and reintroductions to bring back lost species, combined with an increasing tolerance towards wildlife, more species will surely follow.”

Image courtesy of ZSL