Embracing Wildlife Comeback in Europe
We are very excited to invite you to attend a special event on wildlife comeback in Europe.
Tuesday 27 September 2022
Babbage Lecture Theatre, Cambridge University
15:00 – 18.30 (doors open 14.30)
Embracing Wildlife Comeback
Across the world, wildlife species are disappearing at an unprecedented rate. However, against this alarming backdrop, some European wildlife species have made a spectacular comeback since the 1970s.
In 2013, a groundbreaking publication titled “Wildlife Comeback in Europe” described the recovery of selected European mammal and bird species for the first time. Now, nearly a decade later, Rewilding Europe is excited to present the latest findings on European wildlife comeback in a new publication.
Join us in welcoming wildlife in Europe
Programme
Join us for an inspirational afternoon full of the newest insights on wildlife species and the drivers for their comeback.
14.30 hrs – Walk-in
15.00 hrs – Welcome
- Mike Maunder – Cambridge Conservation Initiative
- Frans Schepers – Rewilding Europe
Our host represents Cambridge Conservation Initiative, which brings together the biggest names in international biodiversity conservation within the University of Cambridge. Rewilding Europe, the initiator of this study, works to demonstrate and catalyse the benefits of wilder nature as a new conservation narrative for Europe – with wildlife recovery playing a key role.
15.25 hrs – Wildlife in Europe: a historical perspective
- Jens Christian Svenning – Aarhus University, Denmark
Jens-Christian will give a perspective of wildlife in Europe, looking at our continent’s history and as a historical reference point: how should we place the comeback of species in that context, and what does it mean for the future? He will base his talk on an understanding that the Earth’s rich biodiversity has developed and been maintained over time by natural processes where wildlife is key to maintaining future biodiversity.
15.50 – Wildlife Comeback in Europe – Opportunities and Challenges for species recovery
The report describes 50 iconic wildlife species that made a comeback. What are the reasons behind these success stories? What are the opportunities and challenges for the future recovery of wildlife species across our continent?
- Robin Freeman, Zoological Society of London
Robin will present an overview of the new research presented in this year’s Wildlife Comeback in Europe report.
- Claire Rutherford, BirdLife Europe & Central Asia
Claire will share insights on reasons for recovery from bird species accounts and then put these into the wider context of wildlife recovery in Europe. She will show that legal protection and habitat restoration are crucial drivers for bird recoveries for the selected species in the report.
- Sophie Ledger, Zoological Society of London
Sophie will share insights on reasons for recovery from the mammal and reptile species accounts and then put these into the wider context of wildlife recovery in Europe.
16.40 hrs – Handover of the first copy of the Wildlife Comeback Report 2022
16.55 hrs – Launch of the European Wildlife Comeback Fund
- Sophie Monsarrat, Rewilding Europe
Most wildlife species will come back on their own accord if conditions allow for it. But some species need help through reintroductions or population re-enforcements. Sophie will present the ‘European Wildlife Comeback Fund’, a new tool of Rewilding Europe aiming at enhancing the comeback of keystone wildlife species in Europe.
17.10 – Closing
17.30 – 18.30 – Drinks & bites in the Whale Gallery (David Attenborough Building)
Speakers
Claire Anna Rutherford
Birdlife Europe & Central Asia
Frans Schepers
Rewilding Europe
Jens Christian Svenning
Aarhus University, Denmark
Mike Maunder
Cambridge Conservation Initiative
Robin Freeman
Zoological Society of London
Sophie Ledger
Zoological Society of London
Sophie Monsarrat
Rewilding Europe
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