Freshwater pearl mussels are a vital part of healthy river ecosystems, filtering water and supporting other aquatic life. Supported by Rewilding Europe’s European Wildlife Comeback Fund, nearly 2,000 young mussels have now been released in England’s River Kent, offering fresh hope for the future of this endangered species.
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.
The South Cumbria Pine Marten Recovery Project is bringing back one of Britain’s most elusive mammals to northwest England. Joining the European Rewilding Network will enable the team to tap into a community of over 100 rewilding initiatives, with the exchange of experience and expertise helping to advance the comeback of this important species.
Over the last three years, grants from Rewilding Europe’s European Wildlife Comeback Fund have supported the release of over 35 wildcats in the Highlands of Scotland. With animals from this restored population already breeding, the future of the iconic Scottish wildcat looks more optimistic.
The CERM Endangered Raptors Centre Association is playing a key role in the comeback of Egyptian vultures in southern Italy. With a pioneering track record in supporting the recovery of this important species, the centre brings valuable experience and ambition to a growing network of rewilding practitioners across Europe.
The historical channelisation of rivers in northern Sweden harmed populations of brown trout. Today, with the support of Rewilding Europe’s European Wildlife Comeback Fund, rewilding efforts are helping this important species make a return, with benefits for nature and people.
Supported by a grant from Rewilding Europe’s European Wildlife Comeback Fund, four male European bison have been translocated from Poland to Dutch rewilding sites. By enhancing the genetic diversity of bison populations in the Netherlands, the animals will help to secure a healthy future for this iconic and ecologically important species across the continent.
Today, many European wildlife species are making a comeback. Let’s view this as an opportunity to create conditions where people and nature can flourish together.
Rewilding Europe has signed a new partnership agreement with Spanish NGO GREFA. The partners will continue to work together to scale up the reintroduction of vultures and other keystone bird species across Europe, delivering wide-ranging benefits for nature and people.
With the support of the European Wildlife Comeback Fund, the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds is reintroducing fallow deer in the Sakar Mountains. Restoring populations of this species will support the recovery of predators and scavengers and lead to a wilder, healthier landscape.
