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Preview ect. Wildlife comeback in Europe. The recovery of selected mammal and bird species

W Stefanie Deinet I L Christina Ieronymidou D L Louise McRae I WILDLIFE COMEBACK IN EUROPE F E Ian J. Burfi eld C THE RECOVERY OF SELECTED MAMMAL AND BIRD SPECIES O Ruud P. Foppen M The main purpose of this study was to identify the main drivers for recovery of a E Ben Collen B selected number of wildlife species in Europe, in order to learn lessons for the future. A Monika Böhm C The results show that a wide-ranging comeback of iconic wildlife species has taken K place in many regions across Europe over the past 50 years. I N Legal protection of species and sites emerges as one of the main reasons behind this E U recovery. Active reintroductions and re-stockings have also been important factors. R O The conclusion is that nature conservation works, as does investment in our natural P E heritage. However, in order to halt biodiversity loss and restore other declining and – depleted species, more commitment and resources are needed, as well as new kinds of T conservation measures. H E R E THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON (ZSL), a charity founded in 1826, is a world- C renowned centre of excellence for conservation science and applied conservation. ZSL’s O V mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their E habitats. This is realised by carry ing out fi eld conservation and research in over 50 R countries across the globe and through education and awareness at our two zoos, ZSL Y London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, inspiring people to take conservation action. O F WWW.ZSL.ORG S WILDLIFE E We strive to achieve our mission by: L E • Conducting world-leading conservation science C T • Implementing eff ective fi eld conservation projects globally E • Providing decision-makers with the best conservation advice D COMEBACK • Building conservation capacity and inspiring people to connect with the natural M world A M The “Wildlife comeback in Europe” M report was commissioned by A Rewilding Europe L IN EUROPE WWW.REWILDINGEUROPE.COM A N D B I R D S The recovery of selected P E C IE mammal and bird species S The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a charity founded in 1826, is a world-renowned centre of excellence for conservation science and applied conservation. ZSL’s mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. www.zsl.org Birdlife International BirdLife is the world’s largest nature conservation partnership, with national Partners in more than 120 countries, including almost 50 in Europe. Its mission is to conserve birds and all nature, working with people towards sustainability. BirdLife’s unique local to global approach delivers high impact and long term conservation for the benefit of nature and people. www.birdlife.org The European Bird Census Council (EBCC) The European Bird Census Council (EBCC) is an association of like-minded expert ornithologists co-operating in a range of ways to improve bird monitoring and atlas work across Europe, and thereby inform and improve the management and conservation of bird populations. www.ebcc.info A study commissioned by: Rewilding Europe Rewilding Europe, founded in 2011, is an initiative that seeks to inspire a broad popular movement to shape a new, wilder version of Europe. Rewilding Europe is about making Europe a wilder place, with much more space for wildlife, wilderness and natural processes, bringing back the variety of life for us all to enjoy and exploring new ways for people to earn a fair living from the wild. www.rewildingeurope.com ISBN 978–0–900881–73–2 Wildlife comeback in Europe: The recovery of selected mammal and bird species (paperback) 978–0–900881–74–9 Wildlife comeback in Europe: The recovery of selected mammal and bird species (online) Suggested citation Deinet, S., Ieronymidou, C., McRae, L., Burfield, I.J., Foppen, R.P., Collen, B. and Böhm, M. (2013) Wildlife comeback in Europe: The recovery of selected mammal and bird species. Final report to Rewilding Europe by ZSL, BirdLife International and the European Bird Census Council. London, UK: ZSL. Wildlife comeback in Europe The recovery of selected mammal and bird species Stefanie Deinet Christina Ieronymidou Louise McRae Ian J. Burfield Ruud P. Foppen Ben Collen Monika Böhm Wildlife comeback in Europe The recovery of selected mammal and bird species Authors Stefanie Deinet1, Christina Ieronymidou2, Louise McRae1, Ian J. Burfield2, Ruud P. Foppen3, Ben Collen1,4 and Monika Böhm1 1 Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY, United Kingdom 2 BirdLife International, Wellbrook Court, Girton Road, Cambridge, CB3 0NA, United Kingdom 3 European Bird Census Council (EBCC), Natuurplaza, P.O. Box 6521, 6503 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands 4 Centre for Biodiversity & Environment Research, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom A study commissioned by: Rewilding Europe Toernooiveld 1 6525 ED Nijmegen The Netherlands www.rewildingeurope.com This study has been made possible by generous grants from the Swedish Postcode Lottery, the Liberty Wildlife Fund and ARK Nature. Image sources: Bruno d’Amícis: 44, 47, 49; Juan Carlos Muñoz: 158, 198, 242, 245, 246; Nature Picture Library, NPL: José Luis Gomez de Francisco: 174, 178; Dietmar Nill: 204, 208; Rod Williams: 175; Xi Zhinong: 207 Rewilding Europe & Wild Wonders of Europe: Peter Cairns: 62, 89, 150; Laurent Geslin: 126, 264; Magnus Elander: 228, 232; Erlend Haarberg: 32, 36, 50, 54, 57; Mark Hamblin: 18, 184; Grzegorz Lesniewski: 66, 70, 72; Juan Carlos Muñoz: 12, 216, 291; Florian Möllers: 74, 79, 82, 272, 297; Laszlo Novak: 164, 167, 168; Pete Oxford: 22, 112, 119; Jari Peltomäki: 191, 192, 193; Louis-Marie Preau: 132; Ruben Smit: 83; Stefano Unterthiner: front cover, 15, 29, 170, 254, 257; Markus Varesvuo: 187, 238, 241; Staffan Widstrand: 4, 6, 8, 10, 24, 38, 42, 96, 98, 103, 120, 140, 144, 147, 148, 183, 194, 196, 222, 223, 235, 236, 283, 284, 286, 287, 298, 301; Sven Zacek: 86 José B. Ruíz: 202 Svetoslav Spasov: 90 Markus Varesvuo: 160, 260, 263 Staffan Widstrand: 58, 65, 104, 106, 109, 124, 134, 137, 157, 280, 290, 305 Wild Wonders of Europe: Peter Cairns: 155; Laurent Geslin: 188, 210, 211; Juan Carlos Muñoz: 219, 220; Staffan Widstrand: 41, 180, 185, 201, 279; Konrad Wothe: 248, 251, 252 Graphic design Kristjan Jung © 2013 All texts, maps and graphics: ZSL, BirdLife International and EBCC © 2013 All photographs: the respective photographers and the image sources noted above. Table of contents Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Executive summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 2. Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 3. Mammal species accounts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 3.1. European bison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 3.2. Alpine ibex. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 3.3. Iberian ibex . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 3.4. Southern chamois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 3.5. Northern chamois . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 3.6. Eurasian elk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 3.7. Roe deer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 3.8. Red deer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 3.9. Wild boar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82 3.10. Golden jackal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90 3.11. Grey wolf. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96 3.12. Eurasian lynx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .104 3.13. Iberian lynx . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112 3.14. Wolverine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120 3.15. Grey seal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126 3.16. Harbour seal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132 3.17. Brown bear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140 3.18. Eurasian beaver. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150 4. Bird species accounts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 4.1. Pink-footed goose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160 4.2. Barnacle goose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164 4.3. Whooper swan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170 4.4. White-headed duck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 4.5. White stork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180 4.6. Eurasian spoonbill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186 4.7. Dalmatian pelican . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 4.8. Lesser kestrel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 4.9. Saker falcon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204 4.10. Peregrine falcon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210 4.11. Red kite. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216 4.12. White-tailed eagle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222 4.13. Bearded vulture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228 4.14. Griffon vulture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232 4.15. Cinereous vulture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238 4.16. Spanish imperial eagle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .242 4.17. Eastern imperial eagle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248 4.18. Common crane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .254 4.19. Roseate tern. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .260 5. Overview of wildlife comeback . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265 6. Reconnecting with nature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 4 Foreword Shifting baselines In Europe, we have all grown up being used to of many thousands of nature lovers, volunteers, very low numbers of almost all wildlife species. researchers, scientists and professional institu- During the fifties and sixties of the previous tions from all over Europe is now enabling us to century, numbers of many species were at an describe and analyse this comeback process. all-time low. Intensive persecution combined with In 2011, Rewilding Europe asked the Zoological massive hunting, poaching, poisoning, habitat loss, Society of London, later joined by BirdLife Inter- pollution and the impact of persistent chemicals national and the European Bird Census Council, to in food chains were the main reasons. Even with describe and analyse this phenomenon. This report, bounties and other government involvement, we with contributions from an impressive line-up of managed to actively reduce the numbers and distri- respected scientists and species specialists from all Frans Schepers bution of many mammal and bird species all across over Europe, provides some of the answers. What Europe, except maybe in some of the most remote are the reasons for this wildlife comeback in our parts of our continent. To make a reference to our continent? Where and how is it happening? Which oceans: what we now regard as the depleting of fish are the comeback species? What can we learn from Managing Director populations by industrial fisheries, happened to it, and how can we apply this in our future conser- Rewilding Europe our land areas already long before: we emptied our vation efforts? Which opportunities does it provide, lands so that there was little wildlife left. and which challenges does it bring? And what could Many species were driven into corners, it mean for Europe and the Europeans? especially into some of our forests, where they In this report, for the first time ever, a compre- could hide, become shy and live a secret life. The hensive, state-of-the-art and science-based, peer-re- Europeans got used to the idea that these almost viewed overview of the comeback of a number of ‘homeopathic’ amounts of wildlife and their shy selected – often iconic – wildlife species, is described behaviour was something normal. Many species and systematically analysed. More species could became seen as ‘forest species’ while they are have been covered but resources, time and availa- actually not, in particular some of the herbivores. bility of data were limiting factors. As monitoring Still today many Europeans refer to this situation and research are continuing at a European scale, as normal or even ‘optimal’, not recognizing that this can of course still be done, looking forward. natural densities of wildlife are key to the normal Wildlife will fairly quickly bounce back if we functioning of our ecosystems: from forests to allow it to – this report shows that. With a continued open lands, from floodplains to steppes, from and strong legal protection, an active boosting of maquis to taiga forests, from alpine grasslands to existing wildlife populations or by reintroductions tundra’s. Simply speaking, we had our baseline setting up new ones, a growing nature and wildlife- shifted. What we grew up thinking was normal, was based tourism offer, combined with an increasing actually not even close to normal. tolerance towards wildlife, more species will surely However, increasing efforts over the last 50 follow. years of the European Union, of national and Wildlife is taking the opportunity – it is our local governments, conservation organisations, turn to follow and find new ways in our modern research institutions and private individuals society to live alongside our wild animals. Soon to protect and restore habitats and species, and we get to know more about what really are the actively bring them back, is now beginning to yield ‘natural numbers of wildlife’ and what is really results. Although the total biodiversity in Europe their ‘natural behaviour’. Brown bear at a is still decreasing, many of the larger wildlife and I think we are in for some very pleasant and bear watching site bird species are coming back or show the first signs astonishing surprises ahead. And shift our baseline in Suomussalmi, of that. The decades of hard and enduring fieldwork to new levels again. Finland. 5 Executive summary With biodiversity in continuing decline goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) and Barnacle goose worldwide, and targets set to reduce biodiversity (Branta leucopsis). For mammal species, increases loss not being met, conservation successes are in abundance were greatest in southern and rare in comparison to the news on declining western Europe. populations and extinctions. Wildlife in Europe Analysis of range change showed that the is showing a variety of responses to human mammal species selected for this study have, on pressure: while certain groups are clearly in average, increased their distribution range by decline and require conservation attention, around 30% since the mid-20th century. Ranges other wildlife species are showing resurgence of bird species selected for this study have on from previously low levels. Understanding the average remained stable over the same time mechanisms allowing this wildlife comeback is period, although the majority of species at first crucial to better conservation of wildlife both in contracted considerably, but then expanded Europe and across the world, if we can apply the again by 14% since the 1980s. There is much principles underlying conservation success to variation in species distribution trends among reverse declines in other species. taxa and across space, from clustering of range In this report, we attempt to unravel patterns expansions in Fennoscandia and eastern Europe and processes behind wildlife comeback in Europe for mammalian carnivores, to pan-European since the mid-20th century, focussing on a selected increases in deer, with opposing trends between subset of mammals and birds. Of the many central and northwestern Europe, where more possible metrics of biodiversity change, we focus bird species have expanded, and southeastern on two of the most useful and widely reported in Europe where more have contracted. order to understand the recent positive changes We find that wildlife comeback in Europe since in some species. Firstly, we examine changes in the mid-20th century appears to be predominantly species range. Secondly, we examine the change in due to species protection and active targeted population abundance and possible factors behind conservation (both birds and mammals), habitat the trends, such as the mitigation of threats or management and site protection (birds) and legal targeted conservation action. protection (both). Of the species management The story of conservation success against a techniques, actively boosting existing or setting backdrop of a biodiversity crisis is given centre up new populations, via translocations and stage by means of detailed accounts for 18 reintroductions, was the foremost type of species mammal and 19 bird species showing signs of management linked to increased abundances comeback. For each, we examine population amongst mammals and birds. Reduction in trends over time and evaluate historical and hunting pressure, protection from persecution current ranges, highlighting where a species’ and the phasing out of certain toxic chemicals, range has contracted, persisted, expanded or thus decreasing non-natural mortality, were also been recolonised over time. important for species recovery. Our analysis shows that while these species Despite a picture of increasing abundance and have increased in abundance since the 1960s (with expanding distributions for a number of European the exception of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), bird and mammal species, many other species are which declined), there is great variation between still at risk. Furthermore, the results of this report species and regions. For example, abundance have to be viewed in the context of large historical increases ranged from less than 10% for the Red range declines. In some instances, such as with kite (Milvus milvus) to more than 3,000% for the European carnivores and many bird species, ranges European bison (Bison bonasus), Eurasian beaver and abundances had already declined dramati- (Castor fiber), White-headed duck (Oxyura leuco- cally from historical distributions by the mid-20th White-tailed eagle in cephala) and some populations of Pink-footed century. Therefore, wildlife resurgence has to be Flatanger, Norway. 7 The Adriatic coastline assessed cautiously, as although species have come that can be realised from it is critical to ensure a of the Velebit back, many are still below historical abundance functioning European landscape for both humans mountains rewilding levels and have not yet reached the level necessary and nature. area, Croatia. to secure viable long-term populations. The case studies of wildlife comeback presented Wildlife comeback is going to bring with it in this report seem to vindicate decades of conser- major benefits, by reconnecting people with vation efforts in Europe. Sound legislation such as nature which increases their wellbeing by contri- the Birds and Habitats Directives have led to better butions to local and national economies as well hunting regulation, species and site protection as rural development through wildlife tourism and focusing of conservation investments. They and marketing of wildlife-related products, and show that with sufficient resources and appro- by restoring balance to the natural processes of priate efforts, species can be brought back, even ecosystems. Putting these opportunities into from the brink of extinction. Conservation seems a local context is vital for sustainability and to to have been particularly successful where it has mitigate any potential conflict with people. Recog- been able to work with the grain of social change, nising the spatial needs of species through an such as abandonment of marginal farming effective and linked-up protected area network and areas allowing many ungulates and predators to providing suitable habitat for many species will return. Success stories are more difficult to find ensure the long term recovery of wildlife. Within among species faced with growing threats, such the European Union, the Natura 2000 network as agricultural intensification. Conservation in has the potential to become such a network, the coming decades must continue to build on but Member States need first to implement and recent successes, including by restoring functional enforce the EU Nature legislation. Understanding landscapes, but must also consider those species the issues that arise from an increasing interaction that are threatened by land use and our ever between wildlife and people and the opportunities growing appetite for resources.

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