Restoring food webs

Vultures are perhaps the most iconic examples of European scavengers; the sight of these majestic birds soaring overhead on thermals or feeding at a carcass can be truly captivating.

Thanks to reintroductions and species protection, threatened European vulture populations are slowly but steadily recovering. Yet as the occurrence of wild herbivore carcasses has declined, so these magnificent birds have become increasingly dependent on the carcasses of domesticated animals. Ever stricter veterinary regulations, however, mean this food source is also becoming increasingly unreliable.

Our main focus is to help vultures and other scavenging species by boosting the availability of wild herbivore carcasses, thereby restoring natural food webs and closing the circle of life. Together with local partners, we are increasing the number of local ungulates through several annual red deer and fallow deer releases, with reintroduced animal behaviour monitored through the use of GPS collars. Since 2015, more than 800 fallow deer and almost 100 red deer have been released.

Since 2016, anti-poison dog units are patrolling the Rhodope Mountains rewilding landscape in Bulgaria, helping to protect vultures by establishing poison-free areas.

Boosting biodiversity through mosaic landscape creation

Together with partners, Rewilding Europe is creating space for natural processes like forest regeneration, free flowing rivers, herbivory and carnivory to impact ecosystems. Across the continent, the interaction of these processes leads to constantly evolving landscapes rather than fixed habitats – this dynamic is the key to preserving Europe’s rich biodiversity.

The work of Rewilding Europe and Rewilding Rhodopes is now seeing increasing numbers of keystone herbivores such as red and fallow deer, European bison and horses in the Rhodope Mountains rewilding landscape. Grazing trials with free-roaming wild horses will allow us to determine whether open habitats will stay open when this native herbivore is present in natural numbers.

The European bison that have been reintroduced into Studen Kladenets Reserve have quickly established themselves as a major attraction for locals and visitors. They complement a free-ranging population of fallow deer and red deer, reintroduced by the Rewilding Rhodopes team into the reserve.

Building a well-known tourism destination

The increased wildlife numbers and the reintroduced native species will provide a basis for a unique and varied tourism offer firmly built on these assets. Rhodope Mountains can become one of the best places in Europe for raptors and large herbivores watching.

In addition to that, local businesses and regional products benefit from the rewilding activities and provide incentives for entrepreneurs to invest in the landscape, thereby contributing to the uniqueness and attractiveness of it. Rewilding Europe is enhancing the Rhodope Mountains as a nature-tourism destination by supporting local enterprises and promoting the landscape.