Rewilding Europe is excited to announce the publication of its Annual Review for 2017. With a revamped layout and structure, the review marks the start of a new five-year period in our initiative.

The Central Apennines rewilding area in Italy will see Rewilding Europe and Rewilding Apennines work together in a new set up to develop this area as a prime example of European rewilding. One of the first steps is a cooperation with local NGO Salviamo l’Orso to help conserve and boost the critically endangered local population of Marsican brown bears.

The camp, held annually in the Rhodope Mountains rewilding area, saw young Bulgarians enjoy a range of conventional and unconventional activities.

Rewilding Europe is delighted to welcome a new member from Germany to the European Rewilding Network. Displaying impressive growth since its launch at WILD10 in Salamanca in October 2013, the network now comprises 61 members from 26 European countries (including Rewilding Europe’s eight operational areas).

Rewilding Europe and WWF Romania are delighted to announce the successful reintroduction of 23 European bison at two sites in the Southern Carpathian mountains of Romania. The animals, which were sourced from nine European nature reserves and zoos, have been released over the course of several weeks. Ongoing rewilding efforts involving bison began in the Southern Carpathians in 2014. This reintroduction – the largest ever in the Carpathians – significantly advances the comeback of this magnificent species and takes the local population up to 53.  Around 30 of these animals are now freely roaming in the wild, with the recently released bison kept in enclosures until their full release later this year.

Last week, two European bison were released in the newly established bison release site at the foothills of Poiana Ruscă Mountains, part of the Southern Carpathians rewilding area. The bison were relocated from the Romanian bison reserve in Brasov county.

Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands has been involved with Rewilding Europe since it was founded in 2010. To celebrate the launch of our new website we are delighted and honoured to feature an exclusive interview with our esteemed special advisor.

Over the coming months, Rewilding Europe will conduct interviews with prominent persons in conservation and rewilding across Europe. We are delighted and honoured that Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands has agreed to feature as the first interviewee of this series, as we launch our new website. She has been actively involved from the beginning as a special advisor to Rewilding Europe.

By helping to establish a stable population of deer in the area, the reintroduction will boost biodiversity through natural grazing, help scavenging species such as vultures by increasing the availability of carrion, and raise the profile of the Rhodope Mountains as a prime nature tourism destination.

The signing of a new agreement between Rewilding Europe and SKUA Nature Group will boost nature-based tourism and wildlife photography offerings across multiple rewilding areas.