A landmark census has revealed encouraging signs for the endangered Marsican brown bear. As this iconic subspecies expands beyond its historic stronghold in Italy’s Central Apennines, connected, bear-smart landscapes will be key to its long-term recovery.
Supported by a loan from Rewilding Europe Capital, Dutch start-up Oyster Heaven is demonstrating that large-scale oyster reef restoration is possible. With Europe’s largest restored oyster reef now established, the company is showing how innovation and entrepreneurship can help revive one of the continent’s most valuable marine ecosystems.
Two inspiring rewilding initiatives based in Poland and Slovakia have joined Rewilding Europe’s European Rewilding Network. Their addition will strengthen the network in Central Europe and create new opportunities to amplify nature recovery through collaboration, shared learning, and practical action.
Large herbivores such as horses and Tauros need to live naturally in rewilding areas if they are to deliver their full ecological benefits. A collaboration between The Lifescape Project, Rewilding Europe, and Rewilding Spain has shown this is partly possible under existing European law, but that further legal changes are still essential.
For the first time in more than three decades, cinereous vulture chicks have hatched in Bulgaria’s Rhodope Mountains. Marking an exciting milestone in the recovery of one of Europe’s largest scavengers, this breeding success follows years of dedicated preparation and highlights how rewilding is helping to create the conditions for wildlife to return and thrive.
As Rewilding Europe celebrates its 15th anniversary, our Annual Review 2025 reflects on a remarkable journey — one that has helped transform rewilding from a bold idea into a growing movement for nature recovery across Europe. Showcasing progress, impact, and lessons learned, this landmark publication also marks the halfway point of our journey towards 2030 and looks ahead to an even wilder future.
Two national parks in Belgium and Montenegro, and a nature park in Croatia, have joined the European Rewilding Network. Connecting with a growing community of rewilding practitioners and accessing a range of practical tools and expertise will help them amplify their nature recovery efforts.
The return of the bison to Romania’s Southern Carpathian mountains is one of Europe’s most uplifting wildlife recovery stories. Three new bison ambassadors will help bring this remarkable comeback to life, inspiring deeper connections between people, wild nature, and the local communities shaping a wilder future.
On the Vercors plateau, Rewilding France and the municipality of Die have secured a ground-breaking agreement to let nature lead its own recovery in Die Forest for at least 60 years, marking an important shift in how communal forests can be managed.
2025 was a landmark year for the European Wildlife Comeback Fund, demonstrating just how much this flexible funding approach can achieve in scaling up wildlife reintroductions across Europe.
