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.

Wildlife comeback can sometimes lead to coexistence challenges. A recent example from the Ukrainian part of the Danube Delta rewilding landscape shows how simple solutions can often overcome these challenges, ensuring the recovery of wild nature benefits all.

The Rewilding Rhodopes team have been releasing red and fallow deer in the local landscape for 10 years. As the size and range of deer populations in the Eastern Rhodopes continue to increase, so the positive impact on biodiversity and local food webs will continue to increase too.

Over the last few months, more than 80 fallow deer have been released into the Rhodope Mountains rewilding landscape in Bulgaria. Adding to the populations of deer already released by the local rewilding team, the animals will enhance wild nature and help to generate economic benefits.

65 fallow deer were released on the southern shore of the Kardzhali reservoir in November and December, and are now being monitored by the Rewilding Rhodopes team. The release is part of ongoing efforts in the area to restore deer numbers to a viable level, providing a sustainable natural prey and carrion source while reinstating key links in the food web.

More than 70 fallow deer will be released in the Rhodope Mountains rewilding area in Bulgaria over the 2020/2021 winter period. As part of the long-term restoration of deer populations in the Rhodope Mountains of Bulgaria and Greece, the animals will revitalise food chains, create more functional ecosystems and boost nature-based tourism.

Following multiple releases of both species, monitoring data shows populations of red and fallow deer are now thriving in the Rhodope Mountains rewilding area and beyond. This is good news for predators, scavengers and local nature-based businesses.

As part of the long-term restoration of deer populations in the Rhodope Mountains, the latest reintroduction will further support the area’s endangered vulture species – as well as other scavengers and carnivores – by revitalising food chains and creating a healthier, more naturally balanced ecosystem.

The GPS tagging of vultures and reintroduction of wild herbivores in the Rhodope Mountains rewilding area is now demonstrating how Rewilding Europe’s Circle of Life approach can really help the comeback of scavengers.

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.