Recent red deer releases across multiple hunting concessions in the Velebit Mountains are a powerful testament to what can be achieved through a shared vision for nature recovery. Collaborative efforts between Rewilding Velebit and local hunting associations are fostering trust, strengthening partnerships, and laying the groundwork for lasting change.
Uniting for the wild
In Croatia’s Velebit Mountains, collaboration with local hunting associations is essential for scaling up rewilding efforts. Rather than working in isolation, Rewilding Velebit is working with partners on a shared goal: restoring healthy red deer populations across the Velebit Mountains. The release of 30 red deer on four hunting concessions since November will help to boost abundance, restore genetic diversity, and support the long-term health of wild nature.
As the Rewilding Velebit team work to replace hunting with wildlife watching across the rewilding landscape, they are also encouraging surrounding hunting concessions to adopt a similar approach. Agreements have been signed with all of the concessions where red deer have recently been released — helping to establish trust, shared standards, and best practice on issues such as poaching prevention and long-term wildlife management. Red deer hunting will stop on all of them until populations have had the opportunity to recover.
“We partnered with Rewilding Velebit because we have common interests and goals,” says Damir Perković of Croatian Forests, which manages a concession in central Velebit where 10 deer were released. “We both want to see good management and effective conservation leading to healthy wildlife populations. This is good for nature and good for people too.”
From guns to cameras
Rewilding Velebit’s work in and around the Velebit Mountains of Croatia is focused on transforming the management of five hunting concessions totalling nearly 30,000 hectares. A fresh and sustainable approach to wildlife management here – based on wildlife watching, rather than the traditional practice of hunting – is supporting a gradual resurgence in the area’s spectacular wildlife. Supported by a growing range of unique tourism experiences, it is also driving the development of a burgeoning nature-based economy, which benefits local communities. Many of these experiences are available to book on Wilder Places, Rewilding Europe’s travel booking platform.
With hunting deeply embedded in Croatian culture, engaging and working productively with the Velebit hunting community is essential to scale up the impact and progression of rewilding efforts. The results of a survey released in 2025 found that most hunters in the Velebit Mountains share many of the goals and views of the Rewilding Velebit team, which bodes well for the future.
Towards wilder landscapes
The current red deer population in the Velebit Mountains remains well below its natural level, largely due to historical overhunting. The Rewilding Velebit team has now overseen multiple red deer releases — both within and around the rewilding landscape — and further releases are planned in the future.
“Red deer were once an important species in parts of the region, but disappeared due to human pressures,” says Damir Ugarković, a consultant and concession expert at Rewilding Velebit. “Their return will help to increase biodiversity, preserve genetic diversity, and restore ecological balance — as well as revitalise food chains that support predators and scavengers.”
A number of deer released by the Rewilding Velebit team have been fitted with GPS collars. This will give the team insight into seasonal migration and habitat use, and should help to improve wildlife management across the landscape.
Keeping populations healthy
In addition to the concession in central Velebit, the Rewilding Velebit team also released red deer in Marković Rudine, Vrebac, and Vrh Jelovi. These releases are guided by a strong commitment to sustainable deer management, ensuring population recovery continues.
“We have a management plan that allows for culling, but we are currently resorting to minimal interventions because we have not yet reached our desired population goals,” says Mišo Zalović, who manages the concession in Vrebac. “I would certainly support further releases.”
“The release organised by Rewilding Velebit was a perfect fit for us,” adds Tome Baričević, who manages the concession in Marković Rudine. “The release of red deer is certainly making a difference, not only in my area but also in other hunting grounds. It is evident that the population is now rising, which is wonderful because they used to be rare.”
A foundation for the future
As the ties between Rewilding Velebit and local partners continue to deepen, they offer real hope for the future of rewilding in the Velebit Mountains — opening the door to larger-scale species recovery, healthier ecosystems, and a renewed relationship between people and nature across this iconic landscape.
Invaluable support
Rewilding Europe’s work in our rewilding landscapes is supported by a wide range of highly valued partners. We would like to thank all our financial partners, in particular those providing core funding – notably the Dutch Postcode Lottery, Ecological Restoration Fund, Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme, Cartier for Nature, Oak Foundation, EnviroSustain, WWF-Netherlands, and Arcadia. Their longstanding support plays a critical role in enabling us to deliver and scale up rewilding impact.