Developing a wildlife corridor

Situated on the Adriatic coast of Croatia, the 145-kilometre long Velebit massif is one of the most biodiverse areas in the Balkans with a range of unique habitats that support species such as the Balkan chamois, red deer, brown bear, wolf and Eurasian lynx. Supported by a huge growth in coastal tourism over the last 20 years, many local inhabitants have moved out of the area towards the coast. As a result, many areas of this beautiful region are now characterised by land abandonment, rural exodus and fading cultural tradition.

Rewilding Europe is working with local partners to transform these challenges into opportunities. This has seen the acquisition of 30,000-hectares of hunting concessions, situated between two large national parks, together creating a zone of 50,000 hectares. Here rewilding is offering a fresh approach to wildlife management and underpinning the development of a local nature-based economy, creating a wildlife and ecological corridor in the heart of the Velebit mountains.

A new wildlife watching venture saw the construction and opening of three wildlife hides in this reserve. These will benefit the local community through job opportunities and boosted tourism income. They represent the first step in developing the landscape’s vast potential as a sustainable nature tourism destination.

Rewilding forests

Velebit Mountains is considered one of the largest unexplored areas of primary and old-growth forests. By mapping and assessing them, the Rewilding Velebit team are working to protect and restore these invaluable ecosystems. By ensuring the health and resilience of these forests, Rewilding Velebit is not only preserving biodiversity but also bolstering carbon storage efforts, making a tangible impact in the fight against climate change.

The team is also actively reshaping forest management such as extending felling periods and reducing unnecessary cutting, to bolster carbon sequestration and storage, while nurturing habitats for wildlife. And in collaboration with the University of Zagreb Faculty of Forestry, Ramino Korito Old Growth Forest was declared as a Special Purpose Forest, giving specific forestry protection. This forest falls within the hunting concession and therefore complements the ongoing efforts to restore  wildlife populations.

Open plains grazing

Natural grazing by large herbivores is revitalizing the landscape by creating dynamic, biodiverse mosaic landscapes. On the Lika Plains, a scenic grassland located in the foothills of Velebit Mountains, Rewilding Europe is reintroducing Tauros and wild horses, allowing them to live in social herds. Over time, these animals are steadily moving toward self-sufficiency.

The restoration of grazing on the Lika Plains is already transforming the landscape, with the first signs of dynamic mosaic habitats now visible. This resurgence of wild herbivores is not only reshaping the landscape but also playing a vital role in restoring trophic cascades, as carnivores like wolves, bears, and lynx prey upon them.

The Lika Plains showcase the benefits of allowing natural processes to recreate wild landscapes. As a portion of the site is visible from the highway connecting Zagreb to Croatia’s southern coast, the presence of large herbivores creates a positive synergy between ecological preservation, business opportunities, and tourism interests.